I didn't get that impression. I would sooner think that he is using his rudeness/sarcasm/etc. strategically, to obtain information or reactions that would otherwise be difficult to obtain, but which can prove crucial to a useful diagnosis.
But then again, I suppose it comes down to how we conceptualize human action to begin with. Whether we conceptualize it in terms of "(not) supressing our true desires" or "all human action is strategic", for example. If we agree that all human action is deliberate, then everyone, at all times, does what they want. If by "he says to everyone what he wants" we specifically mean 'he doesn't act in line with the socially accepted norms of communication', then this is a special use of the term "doing what one wants", and should be noted as such.
That's a simplistic approach. You've missed out on the obvious: it's a sign of psychopathy/sociopathy. It is hinted that House may be mildly sociopathic, which is by no means he's "mentally challenged". One of the typical side effects of savants is that the part of the mental capacity that is enhanced usually does so at the expense of social graces. This is seen all the time in those with highly developed mental functions. ~String
I think it's brutal honesty, the frankness, to the point type of thing we are not used to. Many times, he has an underlying purpose. To basically goad out, mock out the truth to get to the real root of the illness. He's also in pain, meds, all that crude. Well, the last I knew, haven't been able to catch much of it anymore. Plus, he doesn't have alot of time to get to the bottom of things to save that person. Come on, he only has less than an hour if you include commercial time! Give him a break!:shrug:
that would be more like or slightly autistic but that doesn't necessarily mean they are sociopathic. sociopaths "feed" off of other people and drain them where autistics tend to want to stay away from people. sociopaths do not shun people, they want interaction but for adulation and to use. house doesn't seem to fit that profile. as for social graces, people on the lower rung with less developed mental functions have the worst usually. they are usually the rudest. if someone is preoccupied with higher functions, there interest in 'social graces' may be limited as well as things like small talk may be nonsensical to them and that may come across as rudeness or aloofness but that's very different from sociopathy which is people who seek human interaction for the purpose of predation and sociopaths can come from any socioeconomic level or level of intelligence. the point is on a superficial level, some symptoms may be similar but they are coming from vastly different agendas and directions, kind of like how a beaker of alchohol and water look alike at first glance/layer.
Narcissism in itself is appealing. It is Alpha male behavior. And the response is Pack elevation of a seeming superior. House is portrayed as a know it all be he is more wrong than right. He is the embodiment of the Science's god complex.
he was talking about the "rudeness". and no, narcissism itself is not appealing or considered alpha male behavior that is automatically elevated blah blah blah. there are fast food workers who are like this. the reason house is 'elevated', tolerated or respected at all is because he happens to be a brilliant doctor. if he was a janitor at the hospital with that attitude, he'd get fired.
The appeal of House's rudeness is that we all want to stop self filtering and speak aloud all the wisecracks, insults and put-downs that pop into our minds during the day (or that we wish would occur to us), but we all socially filter. In the drama, we identify with House. If any of us knew a man like that in real life, we'd hate him, but the nature of the entertainment is such that we see him as more free than ourselves and, for most of us, funnier than we are.
i think the show is really run it's course by now. the first few seasons it was fresh. i think the nature of the attraction is that house represents someone that is in an "enviable" position or a position to admire, that he can say things that need to be said and does so which happens to be really honest and usually pertinent, not just to be offensive or insulting because anyone can do that in life. but that doesn't mean he doesn't make mistakes or that his ego or assumptions don't trip him up sometimes. he's in a position where he can exercise his genius and his iniative as well as be "surrounded" by people who are at least understanding of it or fostering in some way. uh, i seriously doubt that. general society allows for wisecracks, insults and put-downs of all sorts every day in most levels of society. people are being assholes everyday. but only assholes enjoy being this way. even when i make insults, i don't feel better about it as that is not my original goal. house's character isn't portrayed as making insults to just be an asshole. he is above that. his character is using sarcasm or dry wit/comedy to make a truthful point, seemingly because people can't understand it directly. it's kind of like he's above them in some way as far as cognitive genius/knowledge but at the same time he also has things to learn about interaction as well as he's got his own personal faults, issues and weak areas that others may be more wise, intelligent, mature or knowledgeable in and he's not. his character is of the tortured soul or with inner struggle in some way and people can identify with that. his character is also immature in some ways and through the show the audience gets to watch him grow, so to speak. if there wasn't a problem or shortcoming or angst attached to this character, it wouldn't make for as entertaining drama.
A janitor isn't a social role. A doctor is. We pretend that it is Houses Brilliance that is made room for but he has frequently shown not only self destructive behavior but also a lack of consideration for the lives of people in his care and the rules of the proffession he practices. He is a liability.... SO...we're dealing with social aberrant behavior Drug use and addiction. Criminal activity. We have enablers. Instead of sending House to the proper authorities his pack (or social group) protects him and tolerates his abuses. It's because House immediately dominates a social setting, loud obnoxious, irreverent, sexually explicit, hostile and destructive. He might as well be a Silverback with a brain. He breaks social rules...I admit I watch it...but it's not because I find his rudeness entertaining but rather I find it interesting to see the other characters either adapt or leave him.
uh, and again, they would not put up with that unless he was brilliant and solves tough cases. i'm sorry, but these behaviors would not be put up with if not otherwise. i don't know why you don't get that. also, he's not so destructive to get stupid destructive. there is still a limit. for instance, if he was responsible for killing patients or was sexually harassing or very hostile etc, they would let him go. he's sarcastic and irreverent in speech more than anything but it's with some precociousness and wit, he's really not that aggressive.
He has risked his life, his career, and personal relationships to save people, often people he doesn't like. He is forced to deal with the worst mankind can offer up (clinic duty), is lied to all the time, and has only one friend (Cuddy doesn't count, yet). His parents sucked, the society he lives in is corrupt, immoral and venal, and he also lives in New Jersey. And he is an intelligent person. The only surprise is that he is still sane enough to keep saving people's lives each week. The new House, modified by his new relationship, it's an evolution really. The shows with the child are wondrous, it's brilliant TV. Rudeness? Compared to some real life Doctors, he is a Saint.
Not true. Their professionalism is compromised. This is fraternity behavior not legally endorsment. He has several times commite attempted murder for the sake of "saving" the patient and if not for intervention would have succeed. He is reckless. He is a 20 million dollar harasment suit waiting to happen and the only reason why it hasn't because of Alpha Male influence.
That vast majority of people are not assholes to those they interact with daily on the level that House is. People are routinely assholes to people they figure they will never see again, like customer service reps, cabbies, waiters, etc., but not to the own friends and co-workers...and *certainly* not to their bosses and the customers they interact with, if they value keeping their jobs. Doctors can be assholes to their patients, but again not to this degree. In real life, House would no longer be a doctor because his license would have been revoked many times over for acting without patient consent (and sometimes in open defiance of their expressed wishes).
You think Cutty is the only one? Any of them could have turned him in at any time for not just the drug use but ALL the stunts he's pulled. I thought this was suppose to be a profession of ethics...and that is not what House is. He doesn't heal people to help people he does it for his own god complex. He constantly complains about credit going to god rather than to himself. He doesn't care if they live or die otherwise he would take any case. He's an intellect that has an obsession to be engaged.
