I don't believe that Sheldon (The Big Bang Theory) is exaggerated at all. At least two of the creators came from careers in technology & engineering, and they state that the characters' traits are based on people they've known & worked with. Yes, even Raj with his Selective Mutism, they actually knew a guy who couldn't speak in front of women unless he was drinking. I've worked & lived in that culture, and the BBT characters would probably be the more eccentric of the group, but not outside the range. Amongst them, I seemed like one of the more 'normal' people. I wish I'd stayed there, or at least kept in touch with a few of them … but I can't reach out now because I'm ashamed of how my life has turned to crap.
Since the show is so popular, I've tried to use it to connect with people, but we seem to see it completely differently. It's like they're not even watching the same show. One woman could only comment on Sheldon's short-sleeve over long-sleeve t-shirts (which I honestly hadn't ever noticed), but claimed to be a huge fan. Do people really do that, spending hours watching shows just because they're popular even though they don't get the humor? Or maybe it was because she finds them ridiculous and is laughing AT them, like some NTs do to us?
