Outed by Science as a Big Bang Theory fan
May 12, 2008 | 10:29 pm
It’s not every day you read something about your personal preferences in Science magazine. But of all the revelations that could be made, perhaps this one isn’t so bad…
Science writer Jennifer Ouellette recently penned an op-ed in Symmetry, a magazine for particle physicists, calling on its readers to embrace the show. (David Harris, the physicist who is editor of the magazine, loves the show.)
I never actually spoke to anybody at Science about the TV show The Big Bang Theory so I’m pointing my finger squarely at…. Jennifer!
David Harris
Posted in Uncategorized |
May 12th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Hey, it wasn’t me! Not that I know of, anyway…
At best, the reporter might have inferred it from (a) my writing the piece for Symmetry, or (b) an offhand comment…
May 13th, 2008 at 7:02 am
“The physicists in The Big Bang Theory are likeable, even endearing.” No they aren’t. I am a physicist. They are irritating, insulting, dehumanising stock caracatures.
The Big Bang Theory is a televisual travesty. It is not funny, and frankly doesn’t even pass as a “live action cartoon”. It makes me want to destroy my television.
May 13th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
I’m glad you’re good-humored about this! I’d like to reassure your readers that Science doesn’t randomly assign personal preferences to scientists. Jennifer had forwarded some questions to you on my behalf when you were in Amsterdam, and then forwarded back your reply. That said, all parties involved weren’t getting much sleep in their respective timezones…
As for Disgusted’s post, I feel your pain–David Saltzberg and Jennifer had to drag me kicking and screaming to watch the show. But I fell for it the moment Sheldon questioned Penny about taking four years to get through high school. I’d just interviewed a mathematics professor who wondered in the same quizzical tone why all fourteen year olds didn’t take Calculus. Certainly, the characters are often exaggerated for comic effect, but just as often, they are spot on. Last night’s computer store scene reminded me of every trip to Frye’s I’ve ever taken with engineer friends. As Prady put it to me, “Scientists complain, “I’m not like that! But you know, there’s this guy down the hall…”
May 13th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Karen: I’m not at all worried about this but will admit to having no recollection of those questions while in Amsterdam. I’d been traveling for 10 days and had lost count of the number of time zones I’d been in so I am quite prepared to believe I admitted to all kinds of things!
I was…concerned…when I heard about the TV show coming up. But when I saw it I realized that, although there are a bunch of stereotypes assigned to the physicists, I could name examples of people I have encountered who are more extreme in every aspect of behavior than the characters in the show. Also, why should scientists be treated any differently from other professions in TV shows. Almost every TV show has characters stereotyped, it is just that we notice the stereotypes closest to us.
May 14th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
I have been a fan of the show ever since the pilot leaked on to the webs last summer.. I mean when it aired a few months ago…
There is a lot of Sheldon and Leonard in me, and a whole lot in pretty much every other physicist I know.