As far as I understand it, you're talking about dorks, not nerds.
Nerd: Very Smart, socially inept
Geek: Smart, somewhat socially competent
Dork: Not smart, socially inept
That also explains why most people prefer to be called geeks.
In hindsight you're classifying these individuals as Geeks, Nerds, Dorks, but to an average high schooler these terms are synonymous unless you actually belonged to one of these groups and felt the need to create a hierarchy :)
Why are black kids who wear tight clothes unpopular?
Why are black kids who listen to heavy metal unpopular?
Why are black male virgins unpopular?
If you do unpopular stuff then you will not be popular. Interesting article, but way off base. Oh, and if you are wondering, I’m BLACK.