the show is a disgrace, but it ties in perfectly with the thread on flame where tb and i were discussing american education. education, (not necessarily science/math education)will never get the support it requires until the public sheds this idea of educated people being effete snobs who can't get out of their own way. any form of intellectual achievement, but particularly science/math, is considered suspect, and that people engaged in it are socially inept, clumsy, emotionally crippled and ridiculous. by extension, they are snobs, cowards, effeminate, and ineffectual. they are not like the rest of us, and they are not to be trusted. it is no surprise the extension of this stereotype has even found its way into politics.

i realize we're dealing with exaggerations created for comic effect, but the general idea is that being smart means you are "uncool". in a societal environment like this, it is not surprising that school is something that must be endured until you can engage in the real world, and that only cars, dating, fashion, being popular (or a tough guy) and sports makes it even tolerable. if the worst thing that can socially happen to a kid in high school is to be labeled a "brain", then the school is a failure. this attitude creates an artificial distinction between "book smarts" and the intelligence and education required to be a good citizen and a worthwhile human being. how many times have you heard variations on "he's very intelligent but he lacks common sense"?
the only slightly disguised message here is that the two are totally unconnected.

the educational system has enormous problems, but they are not so much the cause of its failures as they are the result of our attitudes to education and intellectual achievement. it is not surprising that secondary education gets no respect, is neglected in the public debate or citizen interest, attracts substandard careerists as administrators, drives away its most conscientious workers, and gets no serious attention from lawmakers. too many people don't care what the schools do to their kids, as long as the kids get their diploma and get out. and kids don't care about anything except getting out, as soon as possible.

it is interesting to contrast the dramatic picture popular entertainment paints of high school with that of hogwarts in the potter films. in the latter, the teachers are stern but fair, caring and capable, and they are definitely cool. the students are not cynical, and they are devoted to their studies and their school. magic, (we could easily substitute science here) is a world of fascination, glamour, and beauty. it is worth knowing, and even the villains and bullies are serious about studying it. how does this compare with the picture of school in the typical hollywood teen angst epic?

isn't it interesting how real science nerds and geeks, like the ones that post in the zone, have little in common with the way they're portrayed in popular culture (not to mention mad scientists playing god or taking over the world)? besides, everybody knows the people who are really playing god and trying to take over the world are sinister corporate executives and their right wing toadies in congress. (i just wanted to know if you were monitoring this frequency, tb).

having said that, the big bang theory IS pretty funny.