Someone said, physicists, mathematicians, and similarily minded people have all their best ideas before their thirties. I don't believe IQ gives a real indication of intellligence, but it seemed obvious that Sheldon and BEV H were of similar intelligence. I think that's why they got on. Then comes Leonard, followed by Raj and Howie. I think Penny wouldn't do well in an IQ test, but I think she's intelligent.
(03-21-2014, 06:38 AM)pilot fish Wrote: [ -> ]Someone said, physicists, mathematicians, and similarily minded people have all their best ideas before their thirties. I don't believe IQ gives a real indication of intellligence, but it seemed obvious that Sheldon and BEV H were of similar intelligence. I think that's why they got on. Then comes Leonard, followed by Raj and Howie. I think Penny wouldn't do well in an IQ test, but I think she's intelligent.
In many ways Vintage Penny was smarter than the guys, with her self-reliance, her inherent ability to find the expedient solution to a problem (i.e. assembling the entertainment center, opening the novelty puzzle box) and her acute understanding of various social situations and the underlying dynamics (i.e. Dr. Stephanie). I for one found this counterpoint of academic intelligence and native intelligence to be quite appealing. It was refreshing that she wasn't just the blonde bimbo next door. Alas...
(03-21-2014, 06:38 AM)pilot fish Wrote: [ -> ]Someone said, physicists, mathematicians, and similarily minded people have all their best ideas before their thirties. I don't believe IQ gives a real indication of intellligence, but it seemed obvious that Sheldon and BEV H were of similar intelligence. I think that's why they got on. Then comes Leonard, followed by Raj and Howie. I think Penny wouldn't do well in an IQ test, but I think she's intelligent.
I don't do well on IQ tests and look at the words I throw out there.
I have scored 95, 111, 138 on different tests. mostly depending how heavily the individual test relies on the "what number completes this sequence?" portion. My (rural Nebraska) math education was really spotty and now I have anxiety about it. *Penny Empathy showing*
(03-21-2014, 07:27 AM)thetoadoftruth Wrote: [ -> ]In many ways Vintage Penny was smarter than the guys, with her self-reliance, her inherent ability to find the expedient solution to a problem (i.e. assembling the entertainment center, opening the novelty puzzle box) and her acute understanding of various social situations and the underlying dynamics (i.e. Dr. Stephanie). I for one found this counterpoint of academic intelligence and native intelligence to be quite appealing. It was refreshing that she wasn't just the blonde bimbo next door. Alas...
It was fun while it lasted.
I think we all thought we were getting a subversion of Blonde Bimbo/Nerdy Underdog/Texan Redneck (...ad infinitum) thing here, but we weren't. Just the same old cliches and stereotypes.
The idea that Sheldon came from an ordinary background, and yet he had such an extraordinary mind, had a lot of potential, without the need to turn it into a talkshow. The gradual slide to turning him into a redneck buffoon has been heart-breaking.
The idea of the little kid hiding in his room and plotting how to build a laser from dismantled toys and household objects is funny. Him hiding in there because his parents are screaming drunkenly and waving shotguns - not so much.
There's a Jewish idea, that if one has some good fortune, then some bad, will reset the balance. So with Sheldon(and his eidetic memory, and Aspergian ability to focus his mind, that's an extra 50 IQ points!)being born brilliant, into a family of Texas hicks, was just cosmic order. In some ideal universe, Sheldon and Leoanard were swapped at birth(it's a fantasy, timing has no meaning!).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHROHQNjMXE
Leonard would have been happier, maybe, less driven and more accepted. Sheldon...would have been even more broken but perhaps in a more subtle fashion- he'd probably be working in a bunker somewhere, and incapable of interacting with people. No comics or cult TV for him.
I think both would have had the perfect childhoods for them. Leonard would now probably be 'that guy', confident, self assured, and saving whales off Antarctica. Sheldon would rule Pasadena. It would function the way he desired, he would move objects with his mind! Is there a door marked 'reality' in fiction!
See, I don't think that kind of grim, driven upbringing would have suited him - he might think it would, but the reality? I can't see Beverly letting anything frivolous get in the way of his work. There might be a musical instrument, but none of the flags, trains, comics - Leonard probably got comics etc as a rebellion, and got to keep them when it was established that he was the family failure. Sheldon would be the nearest thing to a robot, but he wouldn't be happy. He'd just exist in a blank emotionless void. I think Sheldon needed the warmth of his family and a level of normalcy to ground him. (The retcon angst is just annoying.).
(03-22-2014, 11:17 PM)SpaceAnJL Wrote: [ -> ]See, I don't think that kind of grim, driven upbringing would have suited him - he might think it would, but the reality? I can't see Beverly letting anything frivolous get in the way of his work. There might be a musical instrument, but none of the flags, trains, comics - Leonard probably got comics etc as a rebellion, and got to keep them when it was established that he was the family failure. Sheldon would be the nearest thing to a robot, but he wouldn't be happy. He'd just exist in a blank emotionless void. I think Sheldon needed the warmth of his family and a level of normalcy to ground him. (The retcon angst is just annoying.).
I think it's more likely that Leonard got into comics in college. I can't see Beverly ever allowing them in the house. They are the very essence of anti-intellectualism.