Does Sound Make a Difference???

It’s amazing how taking away the ability to communicate verbally and/or non-verbally can cause unnecessary misinterpretation of what appears to be happening. In watching the show “The Big Bang Theory” (which is not typically part of my routine), I totally mistaken one of the characters, “Sheldon” as a person firmly upset with everyone he came in contact with. I honestly couldn’t determine which were his friends, however, I could detect (based on subjective facial expressions of approval), when there were agreements between characters such as “Penny” and “Leonard” in the presence of Sheldon. Leonard (who is Sheldon’s roommate) and Penny (who lives in the same building as Sheldon and Leonard), both were more physically expressive (i.e. smiles, nods, body/hand gestures, etc.) than their counterpart which can give the impression that no one can get along with Sheldon, however, they can get along with one another.

Adding sound immediately dispelled the show being one that is more on the serious side. In fact, it’s quite hilarious, with Sheldon being one of the funnier characters (in my opinion). What his character lacks in visual/physical expressions, is definitely made up in his selection of responsive words. As Sheldon’s girlfriend, “Amy” was added to some of the scenes; it became obvious why they’re attracted to one another. Amy appears to be a female version of Sheldon, possessing a lack in expressing physical cues and emotions. She does have the same dry sense of humor which can cause a shock factor to some of her responses and comments being made. To me, they are simply hilarious (to put it mildly). Sheldon and Amy are both geniuses and therefore, much of what they are saying, thinking, or doing goes over the heads of the other characters, but they seem to get it as a couple. I do believe that if this had been a show I normally watched, I would have been more familiar with the characters’ behaviors and therefore most likely able to predict what may happen next. It was very difficult for me to try and make the connections of what the relationships were first without sound, and second without some prior history of the show. This just reiterates the importance of all forms of communication.