Not too long ago, PZ Myers mentioned a tendency for some to prefer ignorance to intelligence. I recently noticed while watching the television program Bones (a show I do not watch frequently), that the title character’s only endearing personality trait was honesty. She was emotionless, socially oblivious, and condescending. Even I found her stupid, prejudiced, conservative partner to be more likable. The message that the writers seemed to want conveyed is that a person can be scientific and knowledgeable only at the expense of a healthy, personal, emotional connection to anyone.
Can’t a scientist be portrayed as anything other than mad, absent-minded, or socially inept?
I do like Numb3rs, however.
