Why in 90s teen shows was it always the "Nerdy Kid" who wanted to be a astronaut?

[sam_gordon]

Variations of this question get asked about every month or so.

By the same user.

 

[goofyernmost]

It appears to me that those asking that question were not even a thought during the time of the space race, with the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo Programs of NASA. Or the beginning of the Space Shuttle Program. When Apollo put the first man on the Moon in 1969 we were all so proud of the country and the technology that those "nerds" created that made it possible. Things we have today like home computers and yes, even cell phones are a direct result of the space program. So many things that we use today can be directly connected to those early years of the space race. Astronauts were the real life hero's of the time and kids wanted to be one. Also as a side note, while that was happening we weren't hating each other we were just proud of our accomplishments as a nation. I'd love to go back to that time.

Considering we depend so much on those "nerds" for our current lifestyle it might be verging on intelligence to come up with a better name. Perhaps something like modern day creators. What exactly have the non-nerds ever created that was beneficial to everyone other than themselves.

 

[Dan Murphy]

What were these TV show producers thinking?

https://savedbythebell.fandom.com/wiki/Screech_Powers

This would not be in the case in a world where the space race continued. Teen shows in that timeline would certainly have "popular characters" who would want to become astronauts.

Even irl high school underachievers have become astronauts believe it or not.

https://www.buffalo.edu/ubnow/stories/2016/09/dss-kellys.html

I think it would have cool to have a "jock" type character who was smart and wanted to be astronaut.

Were engineering careers seen as "uncool" back in the 90s?

If so I hope there is a cultural shift.

It would have been nice to have been born in a world where society was more interested in aiming for the stars rather than Hollywood style materialism.

Maybe some answers in here??

https://www.disboards.com/search/4928961/

 

[tvguy]

So? DS' college is religious based and doesn't have any co-ed dorms. Are you implying that women who go to those schools are just going for their "Mrs" degree?

I am not. However, the woman who attended such a College says that was her experience.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Speaking of space, these are the real heros