Sick Of The Genius Asshole Trope - Tumblr Posts
Intelligence =/= being an asshole
The assumption and depiction that much of mainstream media so comfortably revels in doesn’t just reveal the ingrained autiphobia but also a severe misunderstanding of intelligence and how intelligent people are so … well, intelligent.
I am sick of media trying to frame intelligence as some superpower that somebody is born with, and thus, they have the right to tower over everybody else in their intellect and be an asshole to flex how smart they are. It’s heartbreaking, with the treatment of Alan Turing’s legacy because it very clearly demonstrates that his intelligence isn’t some kind of telekinetic mind power, but it’s in his curiosity, the attention to tiny details that others don’t pay much heed to, or how he’s more openminded to solutions (the gas mask, it fixes the problem, it makes sense to him!)
Even with Sherlock Holmes, who this obsession with the genius asshole can be traced back to, in the original Conan Doyle series, he’s just an introverted puzzle nerd. He’s often described as a polite gentleman, albeit with a few quirks. He seldom makes condescending remarks to or about his clients, and in some cases where they’re distressed, attempts to reassure them. He’s also said to be quite generous to Mrs. Hudson, or others whose help he employs from time to time. In no way is he the moody, jerkface man-child that modern media have tried to convince us.
Because that is not how intelligent people are.
sometimes I get so angry thinking about ‘The Imitation Game’ that I have to go in a little ‘upset big tantrum room’ in my head for a calm down
like, Benisnatch Cumberque played the same character he’s always plays as an asshole genius and we were all supposed to be okay with it, but it’s basically character slander
at different parts of the movie Turing is described as ‘arrogant, “inhuman,” “narcissistic,” and even “a monster,” in the film he goes against those around him and is shown to periodically ignore and belittle his colleagues
And. I. Am. So. Angry.
Alan Turing was described by his friends and people that knew him as “intensely shy and kindly”, he was said to “inspire loyalty and affection among those who appreciated his unusual gifts” and was “unfailingly generous with his time and expertise, especially toward younger recruits”
He was kind, he was kind, HE WAS KIND, he was kind
he was kind and geeky and awkward and gay, I don’t care if the whole of society doesn’t find that compelling, I don’t care if we don’t value kindness as an attribute in men, he deserved to be loved and respected as he was, not as we wish he was
I am so sorry Alan Turing, I am so sorry your story was not told with care and thoughtfulness, I am so sorry you didn’t get to be shown to be deeply in love with the men you loved, I am sorry your great and terrible tragedy was never unfolded as a kind and brilliant man abused by a horrible homophobic system
You are a hero that turned the tides of history like no other and I am so sorry