Big Bang Theory’s Autism Simulation

[jimhines]

I just posted this over on Tumblr, but wanted to share it here as well.

I’ve criticized The Big Bang Theory for things like its ongoing obsession with fat jokes, its casual sexism (OMG, girls don’t read comics/play D&D/etc), the handling of Sheldon’s autistic/OCD issues, and an ongoing sense of laughing at geeks instead of with us.

But I want to

Comments

[irishkate]

I seem to be the only person I know who doesn't love to watch this show - the generalised "casual sexism [...] an ongoing sense of laughing at geeks instead of with us" just irritate me.
I have seen it, it has been funny but I can't get past the attitude usually.

[jimhines]

You're not alone.

I tried livetweeting an episode a week or so back. After a half hour (probably 20 minutes w/o commercials), we had gone through nine fat jokes, some very uncomfortable racial "humor," and more. It was painful.

[irishkate]

I am so glad to know that. It's reassuring! I had begun to wonder if my geek hunour was out of whack.

[blpurdom]

I know a number of people who can't stand the show, for many of the reasons Jim mentions it is problematic. I don't find it remotely funny, as a math geek and borderline Aspie and parent of two borderline Aspies, and the spouse of a computer programmer. Every time I'm exposed to it I just find it irritating as hell.

I always found the treatment of Abed's character on Community to be fantastic (he also seems to be Aspie) and that show is just, in general, many times funnier, IMNSHO.

[irishkate]

+1

[dionysus1999]

I enjoy both shows, though both are occasionally sexist, fat phobic, etc. The characters on both shows have people I recognize in real life. Both make fun of the characters. The Jeff character in Community is more of a jerk than anyone in Big Bang.

Community has wider diversity of age and race/culture and has little do with what most people's experiences in community college were like. Abed's behavior has evolved from being Aspie to one who breaks the fourth wall, seemed like an abrupt shift in his ability to navigate social situations.

Sheldon's behavior has been more consistent, but based on his social phobias and Texas GOP values I have a hard time believing he'd last long in an academic position. I would not be surprised there are real life versions of him out there, however.

i've never watched it. but what i have seen of it and heard about it, it really just seems immature.

[mariadkins]

i've never watched it. but what i have seen of it and heard about it, it just seems really immature to me.

[pointytilly]

Definitely not just you. The Big Bang Theory makes me hate everything ever.

That scene/scenes look surprisingly NOT made of crystalized failure. I still refuse to watch it, but maybe it'll help some people get it better that no, really, when your brain's wired differently it's not just down to lol look at the weirdo being picky.

I tend to identify more with characters not explicitly coded autistic in part of things like this, they're just usually so...ugh. And unrelatable. Sheldon just makes me feel like they want to laugh at people like me without even admitting they are, with that uh no he's not autistic really excuse. Plus all the sexism and other isms, just no.

[irishkate]

+1