Episode

TRC #716: Depicting Intelligence in Fiction

Podcast
The Reality Check
Published
Sep 22, 2025
Duration seconds
1738
Processing state
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https://therealitycheck.libsyn.com/trc-716-depicting-intelligence-in-fiction
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https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/therealitycheck/TRC_716.mp3?dest-id=14610
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/v1/public/podcasts/the-reality-check-509868/episodes/trc-716-depicting-intelligence-in-fiction
Markdown
/podcast/the-reality-check-509868/trc-716-depicting-intelligence-in-fiction.md

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Summary

How is intelligence portrayed in works of fiction? In books, films and TV, we often see depictions of very smart of sometimes less intelligent people, but it's never totally realistic. Darren leads a conversation about various fictional portrayals of intelligence from Ender Wiggin and Sherlock Holmes to Joey Tribbiani and Homer Simpson. When do they get it right and why, and what do they often get wrong?