TMCnet News
'The Big Bang Theory' helps mainstream geek culture [Michigan Chronicle (MI)](Michigan Chronicle (MI) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Tube Consumption THE BIG BANG THEORY In his book, "Leading Geeks," management guru Paul Glen says to business leaders regarding these unique, often socially challenged, and just as often quite brilliant individuals: "Without geeks in your enterprise, your future is in doubt." Wired Magazine added to this discussion last year when it devoted one of its lead stories to the topic of geek culture itself. The magazine, known for its razor sharp analysis of technology and its impact on society, noted that the geeks who are functioning in many areas-from the sciences to the entertainment fields-have become so influential that everyone today has just a bit of geekiness in them. And this has been further reinforced by an immensely popular television show which airs Thursday nights on local CBS affiliate WWJ: "The Big Bang Theory." Let's get something out of the way, though, while I have your attention. I am, and always have been a member of the Geek party; that intrepid group of folks that is often satirized in movies (think "Revenge of the Nerds" I, II-and I think-III). I realized early in life that I was never going to "fit in," so to speak - never going to be the cool kid. That my left handedness (which has since morphed to ambidextrousness), my shyness around girls (well, until puberty kicked in anyway), and my penchant for wanting to write stories, read comic books and draw rather than throwing or dribbling a basketball, all put me in that category. And I've been wearing glasses since the third grade. So, yes, there is some inherent bias in my touting "The Big Bang Theory" here. But like the points that were made by both Glen and Wired, geeks and their (our) culture are important today just from the happenstance of their (our) pervasive influence at so many levels of society. The premise of the show is simple enough: four friends who all happen to be nerds (also known as geeks) and work as scientists (and one an engineer) for California Institute of Technology (CalTech), have various misadventures trying to advance their careers while also dealing with an assortment of social challenges. Its complexity is found in the oftentimes dark comedy elements which convey how challenging it can be to not easily fit in socially. The shot is a stark reminder about the risks involved when it comes to being "different." But it also celebrates those differences. It does so by showing that, despite their quirks, these guys are successful financially, professionally and with surprising regularity - romantically too. Created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, the show has been on the air since 2007. In addition to having plenty of comedic moments, there are oodles of popular culture references, from comics to video games. What I like most about the show, though, is that it is honest in the vulnerability of the characters. It also makes the ideal of the geek just a bit less dehumanizing. Good thing too. In his 2011 State of the Union Address, President Obama called for a redoubling of efforts for those of us in education and business to invest in developing innovation and creativity in our ranks. And just this month, Academic Leader, a trade publication for higher education administrators, called upon educators to turn the president's vision into tangible policies that support Innovation Creativity and Entrepreneurship (ICE) in classrooms. Translation: we need more embracement of geek culture. In this sense "The Big Bang Theory" is right on time; even as it is ahead of its time. It would not surprise me at all if, 10 years from now, some element of geek-dom will be the premise in almost all television shows. THE CAST of "The Big Bang Theory." By Dr. Robert McTyre Sr. Dr. Robert McTyre Sr. is an educator, writer, and entrepreneur and is host of the weekly Internet radio show "21st Century Ideas with Dr. Robert." Visit http://m.blogtalkradio.com/rmctyre/2011/05/06/21st-century-ideas-with-dr-robert for more information. (c) 2011 Michigan Chronicle |