thinking more about the string theorist, i think the social inabilities are part of it. the shy/ackward can be endearing, and being totally consumed by research. hence, ignore me. on pondering why social retardation and deep sciences go hand in hand, we concluded (or i, im sure she'd deny it) it was the chicken. or the egg. either one. the social isolation you get from studying that kind of thing isolates you from other people, which weakens the social skills. then you get frustrated by real live people and seek the solice of your studies, and the cycle continues.