TV: The Big Bang Theory fans!

Ivan Seeking

At first I was a bit turned off by the obvious and inflated stereotypes. But they do hit the mark at times as well.

How many people here are into comic books? I don't know if this applies or not. I know a lot of geeks were into comics as kids, but does that continue into adulthood?

Redbelly98

Quote by Topher925

BTW, do universities usually hire physicists and engineers to work for them full time on research with no teaching responsibilities? I though such positions were called post-docs?

Yes, they do hire some people to fairly permanent, non-post-doc positions. I suspect this is more common at the more research-oriented institutions, so it actually makes sense to see this at CalTech. The ones I have known about had their salaries paid out of the grant money associated with a research group, or one of the full professors, within the physics department.

Quote by SticksandStones

I can't help but think that it's the "geek" equivalent of having a show called "The Black Guy theory" where it's about black people who go around stealing bikes and degrading women.

Well, an important distinction is the stereotyping of a profession vs. stereotyping of a race or religion. One is acceptable in mainstream society, even if it's generally taken with a grain of salt; the other is not.

Quote by Ivan Seeking

At first I was a bit turned off by the obvious and inflated stereotypes. But they do hit the mark at times as well.

How many people here are into comic books? I don't know if this applies or not. I know a lot of geeks were into comics as kids, but does that continue into adulthood?

My comic book phase was over by the time I hit 8th grade.

I find myself comparing those 4 with the people I knew in physics grad school. We drank beer and lots of coffee, and a number of my friends smoked. A few of us enjoyed watching Star Trek (TNG was in its heyday at the time) but we weren't into all the trivia, wearing costumes, or sci-fi conventions.

That being said, I accept that a sitcom must exaggerate real life and am willing to give the show a chance to grow on me.

Ivan Seeking

Quote by Redbelly98

That being said, I accept that a sitcom must exaggerate real life and am willing to give the show a chance to grow on me.

My resistance was minor. The show won me over pretty quickly.

Also, no one says these are supposed to be typical physicists. There are probably a few people who, in their own way, are just as strange as Sheldon.

Ivan Seeking

Tsu and I have both become huge fans of this show. The more you watch it, the better it gets! I'm starting to think Jim Parsons really is a genius - a comic genius.

This is very distressing, however. While we are watching the show [just rewatched the first season], Tsu keeps shaking her head, rolling her eyes, and saying, "Oh my God, I am married to Sheldon!" I have to admit that I can relate to many of his lines. These guys have definitely tapped the essence of being a nerd.

The show has some of the smartest humor you have ever seen, or will see, in a sitcom. Where else in TV history could a negative sign added to the Born-Oppenheimer approximation, qualify as a joke?

Chuck Lorre is my new hero. What a great piece of work!!!

Ivan Seeking

I noticed a link to an index of Lorre's vanity cards.
http://www.chucklorre.com/index-bbt.php

Ivan Seeking

I have been hit with a stomach bug.

I told Tsu, and how do you think she responded? She started singing, "Soft kitty warm kitty..."

Dembadon

Quote by Ivan Seeking

I have been hit with a stomach bug.

I told Tsu, and how do you think she responded? She started singing, "Soft kitty warm kitty..."

Gokul43201

Quote by Ivan Seeking

The show has some of the smartest humor you have ever seen, or will see, in a sitcom. Where else in TV history could a negative sign added to the Born-Oppenheimer approximation, qualify as a joke?

A couple months ago, there was an interview on NPR with Jim Parsons, who plays Sheldon. From that interview, I learned that the writing team uses a physicist from Berkeley - I think it was Berkeley, but it might be Caltech - to help with the physics jokes. I don't recall the name of the physicist.

Grep

Quote by Gokul43201

A couple months ago, there was an interview on NPR with Jim Parsons, who plays Sheldon. From that interview, I learned that the writing team uses a physicist from Berkeley - I think it was Berkeley, but it might be Caltech - to help with the physics jokes. I don't recall the name of the physicist.

You probably mean David Saltzberg. Here's an interesting interview with him:

http://www.scientificamerican.com/bl...k-a-2010-10-31

And since I've now been sucked into this thread... I love that show!

So many great lines... My favorite is the Christmas episode when Sheldon gets the gift from penny. I don't know if I've ever laughed so hard.

Mech_Engineer

Best quote- "Engineering is merely the slow younger brother of physics. Watch and learn... do either of you know how to open the toolbox?"

Jack21222

Quote by Grep

You probably mean David Saltzberg. Here's an interesting interview with him:

http://www.scientificamerican.com/bl...k-a-2010-10-31

And since I've now been sucked into this thread... I love that show!

So many great lines... My favorite is the Christmas episode when Sheldon gets the gift from penny. I don't know if I've ever laughed so hard.

And here's his blog, where he discusses something science-y about every episode:

http://thebigblogtheory.wordpress.com/

i_wish_i_was_smart

Quote by Ivan Seeking

Has anyone else watched this on DVD and caught the philosophical meanderings of Chuck Lorre, at the end. You have to watch for it and freeze the frame when it comes up at the very end of the credits. For every episode, he writes about some strange observation or insight, from the week. It generally has nothing to do with the show; it may have more to do with a bong

.

Totally, i had to tell everyone i knew about it, its often more entertaining than the show itself!

you dont really need to DVD though, just the ability to pause live TV

Ivan Seeking

Raj speaks!

Ivan Seeking

ask_LXXXVI

An FBI agent interrogates Sheldon about the character of Howard , as he is about to be given some funding for research by the govt. She asks whether he is a responsible person overall.

And Sheldon incriminates Howard for damaging the plastic retention hub of one of his LOTR blu-ray disk. LOL.

I thought that was a classic Sheldon!!!! I have some friends who could do such a thing in real life!!! :P

Ivan Seeking

One of my favorite Sheldon quotes

There's always the possibility that alcohol and poor judgment on her part might lead to a nice romantic evening."

I've had friends like him!

Compliments of Tsu, Sheldon Shirts
http://www.sheldonshirts.com/sheldon.html

I like this one

http://www.tvstoreonline.com/tv-show...ng-theory.html

Ivan Seeking

Over the holiday, Tsu and I got stuck on the freeway due to a big accident. We didn't move for almost 90 minutes.

At one point Tsu looked as me and said:
Helium.

To which I replied,
Magnesium

Manganese
Einsteinium
Molybdenum...

This is a silly game. Far too many elements end with the letter m.

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Ivan Seeking Recognitions: Gold Member Science Advisor Staff Emeritus	TV: The Big Bang Theory fans! At first I was a bit turned off by the obvious and inflated stereotypes. But they do hit the mark at times as well. How many people here are into comic books? I don't know if this applies or not. I know a lot of geeks were into comics as kids, but does that continue into adulthood?

Mech_Engineer Blog Entries: 2 Recognitions: Gold Member Science Advisor	Best quote- "Engineering is merely the slow younger brother of physics. Watch and learn... do either of you know how to open the toolbox?"