Character Sheldon Cooper

[Guest DroneInTheSun]

Oh I'm not denying that Sheldon can be a real pain in the ass and I'm the first to say that some things he does are unforgivable. But I think most of his wrongs are done without malice. It's like when someone steps on your toes - if they didn't mean too, it's okay, even if it still hurts.

But Sheldon is a guy that cares so much he (metaphorically) sacrificed his life at paintball in the first episode of season 5. The group's cohesion was threatened by Penny and Raj's drunken adventure and things were going so terribly he put himself out there to get the bullets for his friends - and it worked: they all went out and fought in his "honour".

 

And I seriously love Leonard. But I don't think him putting up with the Roommate Agreement makes him a "wimp" - I think it makes him someone who has faith in the human genre and in Sheldon Cooper.

[Nogravitasatall]

Oh I'm not denying that Sheldon can be a real pain in the ass and I'm the first to say that some things he does are unforgivable. But I think most of his wrongs are done without malice. It's like when someone steps on your toes - if they didn't mean too, it's okay, even if it still hurts.

But Sheldon is a guy that cares so much he (metaphorically) sacrificed his life at paintball in the first episode of season 5. The group's cohesion was threatened by Penny and Raj's drunken adventure and things were going so terribly he put himself out there to get the bullets for his friends - and it worked: they all went out and fought in his "honour".

And I seriously love Leonard. But I don't think him putting up with the Roommate Agreement makes him a "wimp" - I think it makes him someone who has faith in the human genre and in Sheldon Cooper.

I will say that Leonard can only act as he does out of love. But he either loves having his toes stepped on or he believes Sheldon lacks the capacity to realise toe stepping is out of bounds and forgives him and then still gives him the love. Cos there is a lot of forbearance going on, and he has only clocked Sheldon once. Lol. So not wimpish, but strong. Lesser men would have poisoned his tea by now. Edited June 29, 2013 by Nogravitasatall

[gaqo]

I'll give some sentences, see if they; 'He was raised without a proper diagnosis', 'I have learned what people expect in social situations', , 'Above all, I hope this book demonstrates once and for all, that however robotic we Aspergians might seem, we do have deep emotions'.(Look me in the Eye) 

[rickfromillinois]

If the show has never said that he has apsergers, then he doesn't.  

Edited July 22, 2013 by rickfromillinois

[Nogravitasatall]

I understand from a science point of view Sheldon was premature in his announcement of his Arctic results. He rushed. Not good science. His results would have had to have independently reproducible too. His friends kept the data, which he should have analysed after the trip and only published after it was incontrovertible. Its just his pride that set him up for the fall. Has this not been settled before?

[gaqo]

Some books make one empathise with the main character. I see no emotion, just patterns, and structures.

[rickfromillinois]

He still has all his little quirks which I like but the writers need to stop with penny and Leonard treating like he's their kid!

They treat him like their kid because he acts like one.

[gaqo]

They treat him like their kid because he acts like one.

I think you have a point there(what the!), Sheldon has started to retreat into childhood, but it's because Penny and Leonard act similar to the way his parents did. Plus alot of his issues are childhood related. He has the correct neural structure, for a child that needed to seal itself off from the world. It also means he has insight into complex problems,  perfect pitch. Plus some obvious deficiences in social skills. He literally thinks, and acts differently. 

[rachelshamyfan]

They treat him like their kid because he acts like one.

That's something the writers need to sort out, we know he is not crazy (his mother had him tested) but he's shown a fair bit of growth except then we get Lenny as the "parents" and talking about giving him an activity book, its ludicrous

[BangerMain]

That's something the writers need to sort out, we know he is not crazy (his mother had him tested) but he's shown a fair bit of growth except then we get Lenny as the "parents" and talking about giving him an activity book, its ludicrous

 

Even worst were the references to him as some kind of pet (a goldfish that could be replaced and being in the car with the windows cracked). L/P do not think of Sheldon as an adult male and have not for years. He is something to be endured, a burden to bear since he can't function by himself.

[gaqo]

I think Sheldon would do very well on his own. It frustrates him just as much, that his friends don't think and act like him, as vice versa! He loves it when everyone is away, and he's free of 'social obligations', and can just retreat into his own world. Also people with Sheldon's condition, are very smart, and manipulate others into doing their menial tasks for them, he's expert at that.

[gaqo]

From what I've been reading, once our neural patterns are established in our early interactions, they are very difficult to re structure. People like Sheldon just create a strategy to help him survive. If Penny and Leonard knew(and Leonard should!), that S was reverting because of their behaviour, they could help him produce better structures. (My fav character in Catch 22, is this guy in the army, who has whole routes around the camp, which means he never sees anyone else there).

[gaqo]

I think some people, grow into themselves. Uni is like hyper drive! Enjoy it.

[gaqo]

Okay I'm about three quarters through 'Look me in the Eye'. I'd urge anyone who associates with Sheldon, and his way of thinking to read this book. Suddenly alot of things about my own behaviour/thinking make sense! Aspergers can be mild, and is at the milder end of the autism spectrum. Sheldon doesn't drive because there are too many interactions. Aspergians are very good at focusing, and concentrating on one problem. He is so logical that general conversation confuses him. He thinks about all the elements of the sentences, all their implications, but doesn't know which part is important, or what an appropriate response would be(Aspergians learn to fake responses). He doesn't understand tact, and when he speaks the truth people get upset. Individual units of anything(even people) don't register, Aspergians see systems and patterns.'people themselves remained a mystery to me'. 'I was not a team player. I had trouble communicating with people. I was inconsiderate. I was rude. I was smart and creative,yes, but I was a misfit. I was thoroughly sick of all the criticism.' You'll only understand Sheldon, if you share his way of thinking, or you read this book!

[Disgusted]

Maybe Sheldon has good reasons to act as he does......

 

http://www.ebooktrove.com/Asimov,%20Isaac/Asimov,%20Isaac%20-%20Breeds%20There%20a%20Man.pdf

[BangerMain]

From what I've been reading, once our neural patterns are established in our early interactions, they are very difficult to re structure. People like Sheldon just create a strategy to help him survive. If Penny and Leonard knew(and Leonard should!), that S was reverting because of their behaviour, they could help him produce better structures. (My fav character in Catch 22, is this guy in the army, who has whole routes around the camp, which means he never sees anyone else there).

 

That would be Major Major Major Major.

[gaqo]

continued from 191: There's a small group of members, who believe only what the writers make explicit. It would be the equivalent of sitting on the surface of an ocean, and being completely oblivious to the life underneath; the implicit content. That's their loss! The same group also seem to believe that it's alright for those with symptoms to diagnose others. If we sacked all the doctors and psychiatrists, then next time you go to A&E, will you be happy to be diagnosed by someone who claims his friend has similar symptoms. This group don't understand how humans use metaphor and narrative, to explain their individual realities, and they don't understand the subtelties of writing, where the implicit content is only hinted at.

[Kasey]

continued from 191: There's a small group of members, who believe only what the writers make explicit. It would be the equivalent of sitting on the surface of an ocean, and being completely oblivious to the life underneath; the implicit content. That's their loss! The same group also seem to believe that it's alright for those with symptoms to diagnose others. If we sacked all the doctors and psychiatrists, then next time you go to A&E, will you be happy to be diagnosed by someone who claims his friend has similar symptoms. This group don't understand how humans use metaphor and narrative, to explain their individual realities, and they don't understand the subtelties of writing, where the implicit content is only hinted at.

 

You know I find this whole post to be a bit offensive to those on this board who were merely trying to tell you that they might have some valuable first hand insight into an illness that one cannot get from books or studies or even a doctor...

[gaqo]

Agreed. I ran out of likes, but I LIKE. Some members treat the writers like God. If they've said it, it goes, which I think is a tiny bit of bollocks (Pardon me! I'm just enthusiastic) Sometimes things are interpreted differently to how the writer thinks they will be.

 

I'm sick of people going ''I've got Aspergers or whatever and you don't. I think I know what I'm talking about. You haven't seen the show, I bet!''

 

They accuse others of being presumptuous about them when they are being presumptuous themselves.

I find a book/film interesting, but when those skilled in literary/cultural analysis open that text, explore all the possible references, meanings, implicit content, it's like that one book/film becomes immense. Through the cultural matrix it is connected to hundreds of other texts. And everyone has a different interpretation! 

[gaqo]

You know I find this whole post to be a bit offensive to those on this board who were merely trying to tell you that they might have some valuable first hand insight into an illness that one cannot get from books or studies or even a doctor...

Why 'offensive'? Just because some people claim to have similar symptoms doesn't make them an authority, in fact their symptoms may invalidate what they say. I think we are in a very difficult area here, and I understand why the writer's kept clear of it. But it certainly explains alot!

Edited August 2, 2013 by gaqo

[rachelshamyfan]

Oh I just adore his eyebrow wiggle whenever he does it

[gaqo]

(Warning: Stop reading if you're sick of trying to understand Sheldon's character. I can't help it, it's one of my symptoms, curse you mind!) Interesting that the same people who don't want Sheldon to have a proper diagnosis, are happy for him to continually be called 'crazy' and 'wack a doodle'! It's obvious that a character is the result of the interplay of ideas between writers and actor. When Jim Parsons was asked by Variety, about his characters traits, 'certainly sounds like it that Sheldon has Aspergers. I read 'Look Me In The Eye', From reading it, he couldn't display more traits of it. Every Aspergers sufferer is very smart......that's where the two circles collide as far as Sheldon the character, and why he displays those traits'. But regardless of whether Sheldon displays; O.C.D., generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder or mild Aspergers, my point has always been that Sheldon does not deserve to be criticised, ridiculed, humiliated, or struck. It sends out the wrong message to those who are quick to judge, and lack tolerance of those with mild mental disorders. Why do you think people with mild mental disorders withdraw from public situations, and get increasingly wary of people?

[Lissie]

Agreed. Also, it bugs me when people lump in ''character development'' with Sheldon just getting used to and accommodating those around him. Why can't he develop the other way? I've got less used to people before... if that makes any sense. He doesn't have to change for anyone, and if we look at the big picture, no-one in the real world really has to follow the less significant social rules. 

 

I would love to say to someone I knew: ''You know you really don't have to make conversation with me every time we bump into each other in the street. That's not me being rude; I just think it would be more convenient for the both of us.''

 

Unfortunately people tend to think you're weird when you do that.

UTOPIA 

[rickfromillinois]

This is a televsion show.  A comedy.  If the writers watned Sheldon to have asperbers or any other type of syndrome, THEY WOULD SAY SO.  Trying to read deeply into the characters of a televisoin comedy is ludicrous.   I for one am tired of hearing that somehow I am lacking for not delving deeply enough into the characters, and at one time being accused of displaying a "lack of respect" for those who suffer from aspergers because sometimes I criticize Sheldon's behavior.   I wonder if the whole reason for the over the top insistance that Sheldon is suffering from aspergers and the criticism of those who don't believe that he does is simply a feeble attempt to stiffle any disparaging comments concerning Sheldon's behavior.   This is a simple television comedy.  It is not a serious theatrical production nor is it a great work of literature.  If the writers wanted to inform the general population about the symptoms of aspergers, why haven't they said that Sheldon suffers from it?  They haven't because HE DOESN'T. 

Agreed. I ran out of likes, but I LIKE. Some members treat the writers like God. If they've said it, it goes, which I think is a tiny bit of bollocks (Pardon me! I'm just enthusiastic) Sometimes things are interpreted differently to how the writer thinks they will be.

 

I'm sick of people going ''I've got Aspergers or whatever and you don't. I think I know what I'm talking about. You haven't seen the show, I bet!''

 

They accuse others of being presumptuous about them when they are being presumptuous themselves.

As far as a show goes, the Writers and Producers ARE gods.  It is THEIR universe, THEY set the rules, and THEY determine the fates of every character on the show.   If THEY determine that something is or isn't, THAT's the way it is.  It isn't how YOU want it to be, it's how THEY want it to be.

Agreed. I ran out of likes, but I LIKE. Some members treat the writers like God. If they've said it, it goes, which I think is a tiny bit of bollocks (Pardon me! I'm just enthusiastic) Sometimes things are interpreted differently to how the writer thinks they will be.

 

I'm sick of people going ''I've got Aspergers or whatever and you don't. I think I know what I'm talking about. You haven't seen the show, I bet!''

 

They accuse others of being presumptuous about them when they are being presumptuous themselves.

As far as a show goes, the Writers and Producers ARE gods.  It is THEIR universe, THEY set the rules, and THEY determine the fates of every character on the show.   If THEY determine that something is or isn't, THAT's the way it is.  It isn't how YOU want it to be, it's how THEY want it to be.

Edited August 3, 2013 by rickfromillinois

[gaqo]

Change the record. have you got all your posts saved somewhere?