Nope, never watched “Malcolm in the Middle.” I haven’t watched much TV since high school, which was quite a while ago. While I concede that the older brothers could live nearby, Dill speaks of his brothers as if they live with him, building trebuchets and other such oddities. I’m surprised one is intelligent and hard-working enough to be a vet.k
I’m sorry you had to deal with all that as a kid. Growing up, especially the teen years, can be difficult enough in terms of popularity, or lack thereof, with one’s peers, plus academic pressures. I hope you’ve found people to feel safe with as an adult.
I think it’s a question of education (including informal), not intelligence. I was alive at the time of the speech but too young to be aware of it. I heard of it much later, probably on the radio or TV.
Except at least a few of us who read this strip. And those who wrote it.