Written by Yagoda Shalevich
“Ludwig Boltzmann, who spent much of his life researching statistical mechanics, died by his own hands in 1906. Paul Ehrenfest continued the research and died as well in 1933. Now we… It’s your turn to study statistical mechanics.” That’s how David Goodstein begins. state of matter. From Bernhard Riemann to Max Planck to J. Robert Oppenheimer, tragic lives and tragic deaths are not uncommon in the field of theoretical physics.
Were these pioneers cursed with a lifetime of misfortune and hardship in exchange for their scientific discoveries, as if they were part of an academic version of the 27 Club? It has fascinated many filmmakers and writers, who present this burdened and lonely figure as a requirement for having any aptitude for science.
Recently, the following titles have been released: all theory and oppenheimer And the long-awaited future einstein and the bomb, there’s no denying that the world of science intrigues the average viewer. These highly acclaimed movies make physics a little easier to understand for the average layman. Their problem is that many-to-one credit is given to seemingly misunderstood men who are locked in dark classrooms and write equations on blackboards all day long. Hollywood constructs this “tormented genius” trope by strategically exaggerating the sociopathic traits of its chosen protagonists and ignoring the important collaborative aspects of science in the process.
Many of these stereotypes ignore the important collaborative aspects of science.
The media we consume has a huge impact on our views, and these biopics are a powerful tool in shaping the public’s conception of STEM fields, as they are primarily presented as fact. It works. As part of its Limit Less campaign, the Institute of Physics commissioned research into how young people and their parents view the field of physics. In its report, the IOP acknowledged this practice in popular media of crediting discoveries to one person, saying, “It distances the teamwork, creativity, and diversity of physics from its audience.” From a casting perspective, he emphasizes that “these roles are also available.” They often show limited diversity and portray physics as a predominantly white male profession. ”
These movies generally focus on a select few people with very similar backgrounds, thus limiting society’s view of who can become a physicist. The census found that only 1.3% of people surveyed knew about Abdus Salam, the 1979 Nobel laureate who shared the Nobel Prize with Steven Weinberg. Despite the collaboration, Salam is far less well-known than he is, and there is a clear difference in exposure between physicists from well-represented backgrounds and physicists from less-represented minority backgrounds. shows beautifully.
While this “tortured genius” trope and its portrayal of eccentric, edgy, and effortlessly intelligent figures unique to the field are trending (especially in 2023), oppenheimer), falls short compared to the timeless “otaku” trope that the media adores.Gained popularity due to blockbuster comedy big bang theory, this depiction reinforces the stereotype that physicists lack social skills, fashion sense, and popularity. Its target audience, or should we say victims, have a niche hobby, which must be related to science in some way, and are offered it as a package deal with a small group of similarly nerdy friends. outside of which they are unable to function at all due to their problems. Awkward and polite personality.
The world of physics is much larger than the boxes that the media tries to fit within it.
Although they may seem innocuous, these stereotypes reinforce the idea that scientists are alienated from the rest of society, thereby alienating those already in the field and those who want to join the field. It brings about exclusionary thoughts that are harmful to both the people thinking about it. Viewers shouldn’t empathize with these nerdy scientists, nor should they want to empathize with them. They are portrayed as unpleasant, physically unattractive, and even creepy. A Hollywood geek, he is not accepted by his co-workers, and in return he has an awkward and unpleasant attitude towards people who are different from him.
big bang theory This exclusivity is central to the comedy, with sexist and bigoted dialogue a staple of each episode, never truly challenging Sheldon’s “inferior” opinion of women. These depictions not only perpetuate stereotypes; According to the IOP census, approximately 70% of students studying physics are in only 30% of schools, with students in the most disadvantaged quintile being more likely to study physics than those in the least advantaged quintile. are three times more likely to study .
So, the next time I watch oppenheimer, remember that the Manhattan Project at one time employed 130,000 people, and they were by no means the only ones.please remember big bang theory It doesn’t reflect the people it’s trying to portray. The world of physics is much larger than the boxes that the media tries to fit within it.
Image: Dunk via Flickr
