For many nerds like me, The Big Bang Theory felt like more than just a TV show — it felt like validation. Unlike countless other sitcoms where nerdy characters were relegated to sidekicks or punchlines, this series placed them firmly at the center. It celebrated the quirks and passions that define nerd culture: an unabashed love of sci-fi, comic books, and video games, alongside the social awkwardness and intellectual curiosity that often accompany them. This wasn’t a world where debates about Star Wars continuity or the ethics of time travel were niche obsessions — here, they became full-fledged storylines.
Category: Media
If a nerd is someone whose every word and deed are predicated on the belief that appearing smart is more important than getting laid, then They Might Be Giants are, in fact, nerds: their music doesn’t sell sex; it sells smart-kid whimsy. Arty, melodic, and well wrought in a formal way, it bristles with wordplay and musical ideas. — Azerrad, Michael. “Urban Legends.” The New Yorker, August 12, 2002.
Friday night, Ari and I went with my high school friend Michelle and her husband to the They Might Be Giants concert at Kings Theater. It was an awesome experience, seeing so many middle-aged nerds getting together to celebrate the original nerd rock band. It’s like everyone took a night away from their crossword puzzles and board games to belt out songs about the capital of Turkey.
Today we went to see & Juliet. I didn’t know much about it beforehand, only that it was supposed to be good for familes, so it seemed like a good choice for an outing with the kids. A couple of days ago, though, I found out it was a jukebox musical—a genre that pulls its soundtrack from popular songs rather than creating original compositions for the show. Think Mamma Mia! or Moulin Rouge, stories told through songs you likely already know. When I realized this, I knew I’d need to adjust my expectations.
Categories
“I Wanna Be Sedated” as an ADHD Anthem
The punk rock “I Wanna Be Sedated” was written about the chaotic, high-energy lifestyle of a touring band. But it’s also a good representation of living with ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), where that overwhelming energy comes from the inside.
The constant refrain of “I Wanna Be Sedated,” resonates deeply with those who suffer from ADHD. It reflects the internal chaos and relentless drive that are hallmarks of ADHD:
20, 20, 24 hours to go
I wanna be sedated
Nothin’ to do, nowhere to go-oh
I wanna be sedatedJust get me to the airport, put me on a plane
Hurry, hurry, hurry before I go insane
I can’t control my fingers, I can’t control my brain
Oh, no, oh-oh, oh-oh
Punk rock, characterized by its rapid tempos and unfiltered energy, mirrors the ADHD experience perfectly. The boundless energy and disregard for societal norms reflect the feelings of being out of sync with a structured, orderly world.
Moreover, the do-it-yourself (DIY) ethic of punk rock encourages personal expression and creativity, providing a sense of empowerment and validation for those who feel marginalized by conventional standards. This raw authenticity allows for a cathartic release of pent-up energy and emotions, offering a sense of community and understanding for listeners.
What’s fascinating about “I Wanna Be Sedated” is that it’s a punk anthem pleading for calm. Paradoxically, to calm the mind of someone with ADHD, you don’t use sedatives but stimulants. Individuals with ADHD often have lower levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with motivation, pleasure, and attention. Stimulant medications increase dopamine levels in the brain, which helps improve focus and reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity. Essentially, these medications help normalize brain activity, allowing for better control over attention and behavior.
So a high-energy punk anthem about being overwhelmed and seeking sedation. Yup. Sounds like ADHD.
Note: Over the years, the original version of “I Wanna Be Sedated” has begun to feel somewhat slow and outdated to modern ears, especially when compared to the high-energy performances typical of today’s punk rock scene. However, contemporary covers by bands like The Offspring and New Found Glory have injected new life into the song.
Note 2: I wrote this in about a half hour with the help of ChatGPT. ChatGPT wrote most of it and I just had the ideas and edited it. I wrote it while listening to punk covers of pop songs by the band New Found Glory.
I’ve just started to appreciate the genius of Curb Your Enthusiasm. I know, I know—I’m ridiculously late to the Curb party. This show, a cornerstone of experimental comedy, has been on the air for more than two decades, and here I am, just getting into it as it’s about to end its run. But I’m still taking advantage of experiencing this finale as a true fan. While it would have been nice to have followed the show all the way from the experimental beginning, I’m not going to let that take away from my experience of the ending.
Abigail and I rarely listen to the same podcasts or read the same books. We watch TV together or movies together but that’s more about sharing the experience—especially in the pandemic. But I like play snooty public radio podcasts and Abigail really likes reading about history and politics.(1)This is my favorite quote ever from This American Life. Ira Glass is giggling that The O.C. calls his program “that show by those hipster know-it-alls who talk about how fascinating ordinary people are.” Abigail, coming from East Tennessee, kept trying to get me to listen to Dolly Parton’s America. She told me it’s this amazing podcast about Dollywood and Tenessee, where she grew up.
Then I was looking at the recent Peabody Awards (again, big media nerd). Dolly Parton’s America won a Peabody for excellence in broadcasting. Also it was produced by Jad Abumrad, of Radiolab, one of the best radio producers in the world. Between Abigail and Jad, I had to listen to it and I’m so glad I did.
Footnotes
| ↑1 | This is my favorite quote ever from This American Life. Ira Glass is giggling that The O.C. calls his program “that show by those hipster know-it-alls who talk about how fascinating ordinary people are.” |
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