Big Brother & Pseudo Psychobabble

I’ve been watching Big Brother too much.

I’m trying to pretend it’s for cerebral reasons (ya, coz I’m really interested in psychology and human behaviour, innit?)… it’s got nothing to do with me being obsessed with a pointless TV show.

I sit, drinking tea… watching them sitting, drinking tea. I listen to their pointless drivel… and in turn spout out some of my own on to this blog. Oh, the painful futility of it all…

Anyways. A couple of things occur to me:

The Difference Between Academic Prowess & Intelligence

Seemingly people on Big Brother (and indeed those commentating on it) struggle to discern the difference between being academic, and being intelligent. Halfwit (Freddie to his Mother) is often cited as being intelligent. Hmmm. I think he’s probably well-educated. He may even be academic (although clearly I’ve not seen any of his school reports). But, he displays precious little intelligence.

I suppose at this point I should try to define what I mean by intelligence, particularly as many think that academic prowess and intelligence go hand in hand (and sometimes they do, but it ain’t necessarily so).

According to WordNet intelligence is defined as the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience.

See how it doesn’t mention the number of GCSEs, A levels, Degrees, Masters, PHDs an individual has? That my loves is academic prowess.

Right, so that’s that cleared up. Back to ickle Halfwit. He is not intelligent. A truly intelligent individual wouldn’t get nominated 5 weeks on the trot. An intelligent individual would ‘comprehend and understand’ where he’d gone wrong, and ‘profit from experience’ - i.e. figure out how to stop getting nominated.

“But he didn’t get nominated this week” I hear you cry! OK, I’ll give you that. Perhaps he has indeed learned a little and figured out how not to nominated… But if he has, he’s learned it late… AND I can’t help but think it him not getting nominated has more to with the house splitting into two distinct groups; and the in-fighting that’s ensued, and less to do with anything he’s done.

She’s (or indeed He’s) Not That Into You

There have been several instances - Marcus, I’m looking at you re Noirin; and indeed Halfwit (yes I’m picking on Halfwit again) was also pestering poor Charlie before seemingly getting the message. So why is that some housemates delude themselves so completely? How can they possible fail to realise that the object of their affection just isn’t that into them?

I’m not sure what this is down to. Maybe emotional intelligence? Emotional intelligence is defined by Wikipedia as comprising of the following elements:

1. Self-awareness: the ability to read one’s emotions and recognise their impact, whilst using gut feelings to guide decisions.
2. Self-management: involves controlling one’s emotions and impulses and adapting to changing circumstances.
3. Social awareness: the ability to sense, understand and react to others’ emotions while comprehending social networks.
4. Relationship management: the ability to inspire, influence and develop others while managing conflict

For my money, Halfwit lacks emotional intelligence as well as your common or garden intelligence - hence his social ineptitude.

But Marcus is a more interesting case. Perhaps rather than lacking emotional intelligence, it’s a case of misplaced confidence? On more than one occasion he’s stated that he thinks he’s one of the housemates put in as a ‘piece of meat’… (translation: eye candy). Now of course it takes all sorts, but Marcus clearly isn’t conventionally good looking like Kris, Charlie, Dogface & Karly. He isn’t even unconventionally good looking like Siavash. Bizarre…

Who’s Playing Games

All housemates, without exception have elected to take part in a GAME SHOW. And yet, without exception, they all get extremely put out whenever they perceive that anyone is playing a game, or has some sort of game plan. Durrr. It. Is. A. Game.

Thoughts? Opinions? Abusive comments about what a complete and utter loser I am?

That’s what the comments are for loves - hit ‘em up

Big Brother logo half-inched from here