How to be Popular

To be popular, you have to first be good at something. Or just good looking, but I think that's cheating.

Being the best footy player in the school is always a good start, or being the girl with the coolest clothes.

You could always be the best academically. At least then you'll always be in demand helping the footy players with their assignments in return for protection from the rest of the footy team. Academic excellence is useful as a protection strategy, but doesn't exactly bring status credits.

If you're autistic, and a bit odd, you have a problem.

Luckily boys and girls, technology has gone mainstream. Gameboys brought it out of the closet, and into schoolyard cool.

Want to gather a posse of devoted followers? Just collect the most pokemon, and have the highest score on (insert latest greatest game craze here).

Get those obsessions working to your advantage, and it's a cinch to be best in school.

Hand out a few tips on how to beat that boss, and watch the adulation flow. The other kids will even overlook a few odd habits to get their hands on your DS.

Mums and Dads, don't think of it as wasting time obsessing over a stupid game, think of it as an investment in social credibility.

If you don't believe me, put your child into a social situation, and let them sit in a corner with a DS in their hands. Sit back and watch in wonder as kids drift up to see what they're playing. Marvel as other children ask questions, and get answers. Listen to them ooh, and aah over the leet skillz of your child.

Smile.