In Defense of Quants

A number of readers look askance at some of the words used to depict Wall Street's new gunslinger, the quantitative analyst ((COVER STORIES, April 11)). Sam Kirzner of Edison, New Jersey, writes, "Supernerds, high-water-pants alert, idiots savants -- these descriptions sound like sour grapes from people who can't understand the tools of today's market." Randall E. Sekeres of Atlanta believes we aimed "for the cheap laugh." Chris Danielson of Houston wonders, "How can you endorse the use of the word nerd? Granted, the , supernerds may be engaging in unusual business practices, but that is no reason to deride their intellect. I am a high school honors student, and I have been called a nerd by people who are a lot dumber than I am -- and, believe me, I mean a lot. Since when is it a crime to be smart?"