In episode 8.23 of TBBT "The Maternal Combustion" we had the long awaited meeting of Dr. Beverly Hofstadter and Mrs. Mary Cooper. It is clear that both Leonard and Sheldon love their roommates mother far more than their own. Sheldon would have loved to have lived in the academic Hofstadter household whereas Leonard would have loved to had some maternal affection. My wonderful wife wondered what would have happened if they had swapped mothers?

So what if somehow baby Sheldon and baby Leonard had been swapped at birth?

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Leonard Cooper got into his car for his weekly drive to visit his mother Mary. After a hard week of trying to teach High School Physics to the children of ignorant Texan rednecks he was looking forward to some good food and maternal affection. As he found his job more and more frustrating this visit to his old home was becoming the highlight of his week. As he drove to his mother's house he listened to the podcast of "Science Friday".

Ira Flatow: This week on "Science Friday" we interview Physics Nobel Prize Winner Professor Sheldon Hofstadter of Caltech. He has been described as the second Richard Feynman and it is thought that his collaborative research with Professor Stephen Hawking on Dark Matter may soon result in a second Nobel Prize. Welcome Professor Hofstadter.

Sheldon Hofstadter: Thank you Ira, please call me Sheldon. It is very flattering to be compared with Feynman, he was a far greater scientist than I will ever be, we all stand on the shoulders of giants.

IF: You are too modest Professor, er Sheldon. Your new book Hofstadter's lectures on Physics is being compared favourably with Feynman's famous lectures.

SH: I just love doing and teaching Physics, seeing those Caltech undergraduates figuring out how the universe works is a great feeling.

IF: You were a precocious young man in Science, first degree from Princeton aged 13, first PhD aged 15, second PhD aged 19 and a full Professor at Caltech aged 20. How did you start so young?

SH: It was thanks to my parents Alfred and Beverly, they are both Princeton academics, I suppose I grew up thinking that everyone's parents were Professors.

IF: So they encouraged you in your studies.

SH: It was compulsory in my household, my mother wanted me to follow her into neuroscience but I chose Physics. She kept me on my toes in my student research work, she could be my fiercest critic sometimes! However, I wouldn't have graduated so early without my mother.

IF: So what does your mother think of your achievements? She must be very proud?

SH: Why should she be proud; they aren't her achievements.

IF: Does she still follow your work?

SH: Yes, she does, and I follow her work. If it wasn't for my mother's interest in neuroscience I would never have met my wife Amy, she was a Postdoc in my mother's lab. Who knows in the future I might do some research in the Physics behind the workings of the brain?

IF: That sounds fascinating Sheldon, thank you for your time Professor.

SH: A pleasure Ira.

As the podcast ended Leonard turned into his old street. Waiting by door of his old house was his mother.

"Hello mother"

"Hello Lennybean, how's my little boy, come give your mama a hug."

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When Leonard Cooper got back from visiting his mother he googled Professor Hofstadter.

Hofstadter Science Foundation

Hofstadter Lectures

Nobel prize biography

Popular science articles

Lists of published books and lectures

and so on...

Leonard noticed something strange, a link to a YouTube video from Comic Con featuring Hofstadter being interviewed by Wil Wheaton.

Wil Wheaton: Now it is my great pleasure to interview fellow Star Trek actor, and Nobel Prize winner, Professor Sheldon Hofstadter.

Sheldon Hofstadter: Thank you Wil, a pleasure to meet one of my childhood heroes again.

WW: I only played a boy genius, you were a boy genius!

SH: You are too kind Wil.

WW: So what did you think of acting in the latest Star Trek movie.

SH: Even though it was only a cameo role it was great fun being Spock's cousin. Now I am even with my friend Professor Hawking.

WW: Of course it's not the first acting you have done.

SH: No, every year I get a walk on part in the Caltech students Xmas show.

WW: Any more acting plans?

SH: Well if Zachary Quinto ever wants to stop being Spock I can take over.

WW: Maybe we can both be in the next Star Trek movie together?

SH: That seems logical Wil.

WW: Live long and prosper Sheldon.

Leonard Cooper closed the YouTube video and thought "wow, what a character this Hofstadter is. If I had had a mother like he did, I wonder if I could have been working at a fancy university instead trying to teach Physics to ignorant children. Mind you, these Hofstadter lectures look interesting, maybe they can help me teach these rednecks some Physics." He clicked on the URL for Hofstadter lectures and got out his credit card...