Comments | jimhines: Big Bang Theory’s Autism Simulation

jimhines

Big Bang Theory’s Autism Simulation

Dec 07, 2013 15:39

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 ( Read more... )

big bang theory, autism

Comments 37

serialbabbler December 7 2013, 22:06:27 UTC

Heh. I probably wouldn't be able to stand that episode since watching itchy people makes me itch. It's nice that they're trying to provide a more sympathetic view of Sheldon now, though. I really did like him before I lost interest in the show.

ann1962 December 7 2013, 22:37:02 UTC

The itching response can be induced in other individuals simply by the “power of suggestion”; i.e., when one person in a group feels an itch or bite and begins to talk about it, others also feel the urge to scratch as well (a condition known as Bell’s syndrome).

majgie_moon December 8 2013, 02:35:24 UTC

There was one other one where Penny dismissed something that Sheldon told her was a secret about him as not good enough for the secret exchange. She then told him an embarrassing story about herself. Sheldon responded by saying something along the lines of "oh, I think I understand what you are looking for now. Here's one, you hurt my feelings over something I feel is important." I cheered.

jimhines December 8 2013, 02:38:01 UTC

I do remember that one. Yes!!!

full_metal_ox December 14 2013, 01:49:50 UTC

Another scene in comparatively recent popular culture that seems to ring true for a lot of folks On The Spectrum occurs in the first Robert Downey Sherlock Holmes movie; remember when Holmes is sitting in the restaurant waiting for Watson and Mary, going batshit under the sensory overload?

crooked_halo December 8 2013, 04:05:13 UTC

I have two kids with autism so this really was great. Though I, too, have found the Big Bang Theory problematic for some of the reasons you listed.

Thanks for this post, Jim. This really does sound like a great episode, even if the show itself has issues.

Big Bang Theory roman853 December 8 2013, 18:34:55 UTC

I think maybe you are taking the Big Bang theory thing a bit to far, it is entertainment, nothing more, its not a reflection on Society

Re: Big Bang Theory jimhines December 8 2013, 18:51:46 UTC

Speaking as an author -- someone who creates entertainment professionally -- that's one of the most insulting and flat-out *wrong* things you could come to my blog to say.

Re: Big Bang Theory pernwebgoddess December 8 2013, 19:54:14 UTC

Hear hear. I'm so tired of the whole "it's just entertainment" excuse for everything, ever.

If it was just "entertainment" with no affect on real society, why does my *five year old* want "soft kitty" sung to her at night? And why are all those memes it spawns making the rounds?

Re: Big Bang Theory irishkate December 8 2013, 20:51:28 UTC

snapes_angel December 9 2013, 02:46:48 UTC

I like the BBT overall. I do not like everything about it, and quite a few segments leave me cold...but, as I have actually known people like that, some parts of the show, not a lot, but some, help me understand a few facets of human nature better than if I had not seen them. I did wonder, though, just how long ago the writers of the WoW actually played the game, since the playing field altered before, and completely changed after, the Cataclysm, where Azeroth was sort of...fractured ( ... )