But I still don't understand an inferiority complex when dealing with a town full of geniuses.

I think that it's one of those situations where she actually cares what he thinks, so she worries that he won't think she's smart. She doesn't care about the rest of the town.

And Anthony Stewart Head was in the first episode of "Jonathan Creek" playing an American.

How is Jonathan Creek? I mean to watch it because of QI, of course, but haven't gotten a hold of it.

Makes perfect sense to me. Not that she should have one, because she's way cool, but when you're in (unlike Paperdol she doesn't escape to the internet or leave the boundaries to go home) where brainpower is currency, you might feel poor even though you're more than able to barter your way into the economy.

Still not convinced -- one, because one's job does have a lot to do with self-conception, even if you don't live in a company town -- and if you do live in a company town, theoretically your services shouldn't be devalued, because no one else in town does what you do. I know a lot of academics who are insecure and incredibly jealous of other academics. But I've never heard of an insecure university administrator who felt threatened by the brainpower of the faculty.

I think that it's one of those situations where she actually cares what he thinks, so she worries that he won't think she's smart. She doesn't care about the rest of the town.

I think that's pretty much what she said, right? That his reaction wasn't unexpected, because it was of a piece with her dating success in the town. It was one of those moments that didn't make sense-- she didn't blame him for being a jackass, she blamed herself for not being as smart as everyone else in town.

How is Jonathan Creek? I mean to watch it because of QI, of course, but haven't gotten a hold of it.

It's cute. If you like Alan Davies, I'd definitely recommend it. It's pretty typical British mystery stuff, but entertaining, especially when it displays that Davies has a range past "goofy and befuddled."

How is Jonathan Creek? I mean to watch it because of QI, of course, but haven't gotten a hold of it.

I had mad love for it. I was sorry that they didn't show more on BBCA.

I've never heard of an insecure university administrator who felt threatened by the brainpower of the faculty.

Were they dating a member of the faculty, one who's said he trades in the currency she feels low in?

I've seen a bunch of "Wish I could be an academic" jealousy--it's not a logical thing.

It was one of those moments that didn't make sense-- she didn't blame him for being a jackass, she blamed herself for not being as smart as everyone else in town.

She's a human. On the dating scene. Coming to the sensible conclusion--well, that'd be science fiction, wouldn't it?

No, too trite. I just mean that I find it totally plausible for someone's value system to get wobbly and to start doubting it when a date comes into the picture. I thought it was very clumsily done here, but I think the premise is basically sound (as noted, I don't think of it as a Jo thing to do, but plausible for others).

I thought it was very clumsily done here, but I think the premise is basically sound (as noted, I don't think of it as a Jo thing to do, but plausible for others).

I can't argue with this. But I still hope she clocks him one the next time they meet. Maybe Zoe can be a third party voice of reason and let Jo know it's not her, it's him.

Were they dating a member of the faculty, one who's said he trades in the currency she feels low in?

That's just the thing. Instead of complaining about Zane, she complained about being a non-scientist in Eureka and feeling dumb -- she practically forgave him. So yeah, I'd be justified in complaining about Bob if Bob tried to make me feel dumb. But I don't feel generally threatened by his friends and colleagues, because their philosophy smarts are pretty separate from their social smarts. His roommate, who is an electrical engineer with a philosophy PhD, claimed that another person's cat is really a female cat, because it has nipples. It's hard to be threatened by that.

She's a human. On the dating scene. Coming to the sensible conclusion--well, that'd be science fiction, wouldn't it?

No, too trite. I just mean that I find it totally plausible for someone's value system to get wobbly and to start doubting it when a date comes into the picture. I thought it was very clumsily done here, but I think the premise is basically sound (as noted, I don't think of it as a Jo thing to do, but plausible for others).

Sure, I agree that dating people endorse false beliefs because their egos are fragile. I don't think we were led to believe that Jo is insecure because she's dating, but that's an opinion she'd hold even if she weren't.

their philosophy smarts are pretty separate from their social smarts

Fargo's a loser, right? He's really smart compared to the national average, but a loser. On the brilliant but not loser list: Zoe, Zane, Alison, Stark, Kim, Beverly, Henry, the guy who runs Cafe Diem...

I'm not sure why I'm ending up defending what I think is bad writing, but so be it. Eureka hasn't posited much of the distinction you're making between book and social smarts.

I don't think we were led to believe that Jo is insecure because she's dating, but that's an opinion she'd hold even if she weren't.

Okay--to be clear--I don't think it's in Jo's character, right? I'm sticking clear to my initial "not that she should have one" and merely talking about it in the abstract.

On the brilliant but not loser list: Zane

Depends on who you're asking.

Depends on who you're asking.

I think he's incredibly unlikeable, but he's all about the social.