Character Sheldon Cooper

[phantagrae]

But "slaves to your hormones" doesn't imply any deference to intellect or respect for difference. And Einstein was one instance of a man. Sheldon has dissed 51% or so of the population on the basis of an intrinsic characteristic. Women may choose to shop, but people can't easily self regulate their hormone levels.

I think it's not a good look for the show on principle. You can argue distinctions, but for me it's disappointing because its so pervasive and Sheldon could amplify existing attitudes. I just hope they are going through a phase.

Just sayin'.

 

PS and it never came up on BSG, and Im guessin' Trek either.

Sheldon has always griped at Leonard for wasting time and energy on sex. As I guess he does see women's monthly hormonal cycles as a detriment, because of how women seem to generally behave (from his point of view). But he also mentioned something about men having a similar hormonal cycle.

I never watched enough BSG to comment on its attitudes toward such things. As for Star Trek, I don't recall them talking about monthly cycles, but on the OS, they dressed all the women in those miniskirts and matching "panties", and most of the female guest stars were often scantily clad and served as romantic partners for the male characters, so...

Though Sheldon says essentially sexist things, he still does indeed have respect for the accomplishments of those women he deems intelligent. But I think that the show does show, through the reactions of those around him, that the others don't hold similar opinions.

It is indeed one of Sheldon's flaws and I think the show does position itself to point that out, so it's not as if the show is endorsing his point of view.

[Nogravitasatall]

Sheldon has always griped at Leonard for wasting time and energy on sex. As I guess he does see women's monthly hormonal cycles as a detriment, because of how women seem to generally behave (from his point of view). But he also mentioned something about men having a similar hormonal cycle.

I never watched enough BSG to comment on its attitudes toward such things. As for Star Trek, I don't recall them talking about monthly cycles, but on the OS, they dressed all the women in those miniskirts and matching "panties", and most of the female guest stars were often scantily clad and served as romantic partners for the male characters, so...

Though Sheldon says essentially sexist things, he still does indeed have respect for the accomplishments of those women he deems intelligent. But I think that the show does show, through the reactions of those around him, that the others don't hold similar opinions.

It is indeed one of Sheldon's flaws and I think the show does position itself to point that out, so it's not as if the show is endorsing his point of view.

Fair enough. I agree that the show is not endorsing his views. And that there are countervailing arguments played out within the show. And that it doesn't deter his fan base is axiomatic.

I suppose in the behaviour he exhibited to Alex, he does not discriminate. Everybody gets that same treatment. If he had a male assistant he would be treated the same. I extrapolate that from how he has treated Leonard.

It's not the real world but Amy is going to have to gather her crumbs of comfort. I'm not sure how Sheldon sees other people, if they are not convenient for him.

Anyway thanks @phantagrae.

Pps BSG was gender blind IMO. Catch it if you can.

[tmp]

Fair enough. I agree that the show is not endorsing his views. And that there are countervailing arguments played out within the show. And that it doesn't deter his fan base is axiomatic.

I suppose in the behaviour he exhibited to Alex, he does not discriminate. Everybody gets that same treatment. If he had a male assistant he would be treated the same. I extrapolate that from how he has treated Leonard.

It's not the real world but Amy is going to have to gather her crumbs of comfort. I'm not sure how Sheldon sees other people, if they are not convenient for him.

Anyway thanks @phantagrae.

Pps BSG was gender blind IMO. Catch it if you can.

 

When you say "convenient" what do you mean?  Do you mean he only wants people around who can do things for him?  I think they've shown that Sheldon really does care about his friends, family, and Amy.  He's just not sentimental so you have to look for it.

 

As for Amy having to gather crumbs of comfort, I agree that it would be true for most of us (myself included).  However, the writers have created Amy to be someone who doesn't need much overt affection.  They've shown her asking for what she does need, and then he does his best to respond.

[Nogravitasatall]

@tmp. I'm struggling for terms, but I thinking about how he thinks of people in the abstract. I have to step back and state he is a written character, so this is in a sense moot. However, he is happy to think of himself as a benign overlord, would totrure old people with tech problems and has talked about killing people who think a certain way. So when I say convenient I think if you are of no utility to him he does not consider you. He sort of pondered this in the rain when he caught a cold.

And he never knew he was missing the emotional connection he is finding with Amy. He learned from Leonard some expectations of relationship behaviour and is finding them gratifying when played out with a girl friend who is a person he can tolerate..

My point, which is wandering all over the place, really is " how is all this attractive?". I find him entertaining but I don't feel as strongly some about him as some. And I guess the short answer is because its well written and well performed art that has found an audience.

Just blathering, not grinding an axe.

(Forgotten to push quote)

Edited February 17, 2013 by Nogravitasatall

[wannamaker]

[...Though Sheldon says essentially sexist things, he still does indeed have respect for the accomplishments of those women he deems intelligent. But I think that the show does show, through the reactions of those around him, that the others don't hold similar opinions.]

 

Indeed it appears that way. Ideally IMO Sheldon has emboded the concept or notion, as to speak, of Platonic love. He is a fictional character made up in a certain way of rather unusual and above the rest of them.

 

[...It is indeed one of Sheldon's flaws and I think the show does position itself to point that out, so it's not as if the show is endorsing his point of view.]

 

Well maybe the show is not endorsing it but the audience (IMO) is, that is why there is a great expectation of Sheldon proposing love...maybe one day...

[wannamaker]

[...My point, which is wandering all over the place, really is " how is all this attractive?". I find him entertaining but I don't feel as strongly some about him as some. And I guess the short answer is because its well written and well performed art that has found an audience.]

 

The attraction as such is not always enough to engage the audience but an entertainig character will always be somehow a catalyst to the public

[Convict13]

 

 

Look it's spaghetti with little pieces of hotdog!

[Pomita]

Many here are professional working women who no doubt have relatable experience. How do you not go ballistic?

 

I think the simple answer is, how do we not go ballistic with ANYTHING Sheldon says? Being a fan of Sheldon basically means we have to be prepared for anything horribly inappropriate that comes out of his mouth. If we were to take offense, a lot of people - from women to engineers to waitresses to geologists to biologists to  social scientists - wouldn't  be able to watch the show.

 

But seriously, I don't see Sheldon having any professional disrespect for women, or disrespect in his actions, and that is what matters to me. By that I mean that he's mindlessly quoted sexist comments from his father, but in his life, some of the people he admires most and considers his intellectual equals are women (Amy, Beverly, Plimpton - in fact those are the only people we've seen him give intellectual respect to, apart from Hawking). And he doesn't seem to have any 'women should stay at home and cook' attitude; he's as prepared to bake sourdough bread for Amy as to enjoy her spaghetti with hot dogs. Even when he belittled Amy's achievement in Shiny Trinket, it was because it was about 'yucky, squishy' biology, not because she's a woman. And he's dismissive of Alex because he considers her a lackey - again, her gender has nothing to do with his behavior towards her, as Penny insightfully guessed - 'maybe he didn't notice (that she's a girl)'.

 

He seems to have issues with women's hormones and the resultant moods, but he also has that kind of condescension for everyone - he's put down his friends repeatedly for their 'baser urges'. (Something tells me this particular gripe can't last long now).

[BangerMain]

I see sheldon copper as alost puppy in the crowd. I love him so much (no homo) he is my favorite chararcter on the show and you know i think he is just trying to fit in the present society he tries hard very hard to be kind to those around him....and that is all that matters.....

 

 

He tries hard to be kind to others? When?

 

Its very easy to be kind to others, you learn what does not insult them and do that all the time. Sheldon was designed to not be kind to others and after 6 years TPTB don't want that to change because it makes him so uniquely different.

Edited March 3, 2013 by BangerMain

[Chiara]

@tmp. I'm struggling for terms, but I thinking about how he thinks of people in the abstract. I have to step back and state he is a written character, so this is in a sense moot. However, he is happy to think of himself as a benign overlord, would totrure old people with tech problems and has talked about killing people who think a certain way. So when I say convenient I think if you are of no utility to him he does not consider you. He sort of pondered this in the rain when he caught a cold.

 

I believe you used the right word word when you wrote "utility". Sheldon is a utilitarian in the purest, almost mineral sense of the term.

Utilitarianism is all about doing what maximises the happiness and minimises the suffering, usually of the greater number. If you replace "the greater number" by "S.L. Cooper", that is exactely what Sheldon does. 

 

He is a child, with all the good (the wide-eyed innocence, the odd bouts of generosity, the cute giggle) and all the bad (the self-centeredness, the lack of brain-to-mouth filter, the callousness). He does and says what he does and says, regardless of the consequences on others, because he needs to do/say it to be satisfied.

There is not an ounce of cruelty in him, just a flabbergasting level of obliviousness. 

 

The only thing he values more than his own comfort is logic and that is his one weakness. Appeal to logic and he'll do anything, even if he does not get any satisfation from it. That is what Penny did when she pointed out that "injured and drugged is a kind of sick" to have him sing Soft Kitty or what Amy did when she convinced him to let her move in : they both managed to make him do something he had no desire to do because he could not flaw their logic. 

So his world view must go something like this : Logic > Sheldon Cooper and his happiness > the rest of humanity. But because there is not a single trace of viciousness in him (and because he is fictional), it's hilarious and cute. Adorable even, at times. 

Edited March 4, 2013 by Chiara

[Pomita]

Posting this here for obvious reasons.

 

http://www.buzzfeed.com/leonoraepstein/spocks-advice-to-a-teenage-girl-will-make-you-cry

 

It actually did make me cry, because I could identify so much (and I can't even explain exactly why). So would Sheldon, I'm sure.

[Lissie]

Posting this here for obvious reasons.

 

http://www.buzzfeed.com/leonoraepstein/spocks-advice-to-a-teenage-girl-will-make-you-cry

 

It actually did make me cry, because I could identify so much (and I can't even explain exactly why). So would Sheldon, I'm sure.

Wow Pomita, this is really amazing what you found

I hate so much racism and other differences people is doing among themselves. I think this is the most ignorant thing a person can do...and it is so common!!

I think I know why you cried! For the same reason Sheldon cry. The stupidity of people make you cry. And me too

I love this:

 

Edited March 14, 2013 by Lissie

[Shepperd]

Hey gang, this is Shep. I'm new to this so please bear with me. I've been watching since '07 and never get tired of the reruns. I can't say I'm a huge fan since I'm only 5'4 tall. My skill is auto repair and when it comes to cars I'M SHELDON! The idea that most people don't have a basic understanding of how an automobile functions or even basic maintenance is an alien concept to me! If a lady says she doesn't know anything about cars I say ''Excuse me, what planet did you say you're from?'' If it's a man I say ''That's O.K. buddy. You still look like a man.'' I love Sheldon. He states things as they are (as do I). He's seldom wrong, and when he is he accepts it (however grudgingly).

[Shepperd]

Sheldon is the best! He's vastly intelligent but has the social skills of a child. Kind of like Star Treks Data. He comments on things as they are. One always knows where they stand with Sheldon. He's not mean,he's honest. 

[tmp]

Sheldon is the best! He's vastly intelligent but has the social skills of a child. Kind of like Star Treks Data. He comments on things as they are. One always knows where they stand with Sheldon. He's not mean,he's honest. 

 

Welcome, Shep!  Very well said. 

[Pomita]

 I can't say I'm a huge fan since I'm only 5'4 tall.

 

Welcome here, Shep! I loved this comment. :D (You're not alone, some of us are 5'0..)

[wannamaker]

Sheldon is the best! He's vastly intelligent but has the social skills of a child. Kind of like Star Treks Data. He comments on things as they are. One always knows where they stand with Sheldon. He's not mean,he's honest. 

 

:) :)

[tmp]

Here's an interesting question.  Who's the best Sheldon nemesis:  Kripke, Leslie Winkle, Wil Wheaton, Priya, or a different character I've forgotten to include on the list? 

[ShamyFTW]

I'm going to go with Leslie Winkle. He's friends with Will Wheaton, beaten Kripke out of an office, got priya to back off of his new roommate agreement...Leslie is still the only one that he's hasn't been able to "beat" at anything.

[ShamyFTW]

I'm going to go with Leslie Winkle. He's friends with Will Wheaton, beaten Kripke out of an office, got priya to back off of his new roommate agreement...Leslie is still the only one that he's hasn't been able to "beat" at anything.

[ShamyFTW]

I'm going to go with Leslie Winkle. He's friends with Will Wheaton, beaten Kripke out of an office, got priya to back off of his new roommate agreement...Leslie is still the only one that he's hasn't been able to "beat" at anything.

[CaitAmber]

You're welcome. 

[phantagrae]

The eyebrows are everywhere!!

[CaitAmber]

It must be posted in every relevant thread! No one can afford to not look at it! 

[Pomita]

The eyebrow attack crosses thread borders.