Okay, I'm getting ahead of myself. What's got me wound up is the fact that in nearly all instances when a very smart individual is portrayed in film, TV, books, or plays, they are completely socially awkward. Some to the point where interaction is completely impossible. This can be because they view other people as beneath them (Sherlock), or just don't understand people (Alan Turing or Sheldon Cooper), or some other combination of social ineptitude (Bish has a great list, but think Dexter, Monk, The Doctor, etc etc).
IT MAKES ME ANGRY.
I'll admit it. I'm sick of this trope. I know smart people. I'm married to one. I work with them and have studied under them. And the number of social incompetent ones I've met? Maybe one, and I still think that was just a bad day. Sure, people can be quirky, but do ALL smart people have to have this same/similar character flaw? Or is that just how people humanize smart people, to bring them to a level that makes them accessible? (Yeah, that's kind of a low comment, but I wonder, so I'm asking it.)
So here's my plea: the next time you write about a scientist, don't make him "mad." The next time you have a genius character, give him or her a flaw other than debilitating social anxiety. Need a theoretical physicist? Let me know--I can give you all kinds of interesting character traits :) But for the love of Pete, can we let these people be somewhat normal for once? It's sending such a lousy message to our youth that screams "if you're smart, you're going to be weird too!" And not that there's anything wrong with being weird, but it's not a one-to-one correlation!
Now, I'll step down. But I want you to prove me wrong! Where are there super smart characters who aren't suffering from some sort of social issues?
While Sheldon fits into this trope, I actually don't think the other guys on the show do. I mean, they're nerds, but they aren't socially awkward in the same way. They each have their own set of issues, for sure, but it's not they're not the awkward genius.
ReplyDeleteAnd, to be fair, I actually know quiet a few people who fit into this stereotype. Some at a larger degree than others, of course. But I also know some very brilliant people who don't have any social problems either. And I agree with you, whether it's realistic or not, it's been done far too much. Time to be creative and come up with something new! :)
(Pardon the self-horn tooting). My main character Lyssa is borderline genius, using her pattern recognition skills to locate pirates who try to hide in the weeds as a bounty hunter. While she's not socially awkward, she's definitely lacking in the social skills department, preferring to shut people out. It's not because of her intelligence; it's because of a lack of self-worth.
ReplyDeleteFrom my experience, most super intelligent people are at least a little socially awkward, simply because their interests and passions (usually) lie outside of the normal spectrum.
agree--I'm kind of over socially awkward protags! so overdone. My new character is incredibly confident and I found myself worrying the other day ppl would be turned off, then I realized: confidence is GOOD. And I'm with you on BBT. It was my fav show till season 4...now it just annoys me!
ReplyDeleteI agree.
ReplyDeleteLOL! I'm married to a very smart man, and I hear you completely. Truthfully, I hadn't thought about it too much until right now, but you're right. We like geniuses to have some major failing that makes us feel like we're okay if we're not the smartest person on the planet.
ReplyDeleteVery well said!
ReplyDeleteI think when Tom Clancy was writing the character well (pretty much everything up until the end of The Bear And The Dragon), his Jack Ryan character was depicted as a very smart person, thoughtful, and analytical- but also socially well adjusted.
As for The Big Bang Theory, well, just the commercials are annoying, so I wouldn't want to watch it.
I do think there's an idea of the idiot savant, the genius who's so far advanced in one area but inept everywhere else. I don't know how true it is in real life but it's certainly taken off in fiction. It's hard to find a balance though - well-rounded characters aren't maybe that interesting, and I find over confidence a bit of a turn off!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! You made so many good points. I don't watch The Big Bang Theory, but I know a lot of people who do. I agree that there are more smart people who are not socially awkward than those who are socially awkward. Some of the smartest students I have taught were very social and some of the smartest people I have known are too!
ReplyDeleteWell, I think your husband is also married to a smart person. ;) And I love 'if you're smart, you're going to be weird too'. Too funny! Great post, Mer!
ReplyDeleteWhen I teach advanced students, I only have a few socially awkward ones. This is definitely a stereotype. I know many intelligent adults who are outgoing and have an active social life.
ReplyDeleteMany have said Sheldon shows the trademarks of someone with Asperger's and I agree. The producers don't want to commit to that because then they have to be authentic but I read where the actor who plays him says he believes the character has Aspberger's. (Plus, if he DID officially have Asperger's, laughing at his awkwardness wouldn't be so good...) I have known quite a few super-smart people who are socially awkward, but I've also known some who are very socially capable. I think the ones who are socially awkward just stand out more.
ReplyDeleteGreat post and interesting observations...thanks for sharing your observations.
ReplyDeleteWell said, Meradeth! Sadly, I think people who label smart people as also being weird are just blinded by false pretenses. But you know what? I also think they are intimated and this has become more of a universal thinking.
ReplyDeleteNot to venture off topic but I was bullied severely in junior high school and my first year of high school for being intelligent. I participated in all AP and Honors classes and was always extremely nice to my peers. However, my intelligence landed me in a terribly awkward bubble which only popularity and social acceptance would pop.
And guess what? It did.
I met an older guy who drove one of the hottest cars in my area through another guy I was dating at the time (they both didn't go to my school). Don't judge! It wasn't meant to be with the first guy but the man I fell in love with ended up being my high school sweetheart and best friend until he died several years ago.
When we began dating, the most popular girl in school befriended me since she wanted to bum rides to the roller rink and movie theatre each weekend. My social acceptance had finally happened and other peers finally saw I had another side to me other than just having my head in the books.
Smart people kick ass! And I know this because I am currently in an amazing relationship with a very smart, handsome man who's intelligence makes him even more sexy. Writers should totally take advantage of this new movement we can begin!
Labels of this kind serve no purpose UNLESS they at least put us all on the same page for a conversation to start. The very fact that "socially awkward genius" is a label with the word social in it, to me simply means that the genius is social. Awkward is someone's perception.
ReplyDeleteIt is a huge stereotype going back as far as The Nutty Professor, so hopefully it's run it's course.
ReplyDelete