The Sword and Laser discussion

For the sword half of this podcast, we see a lot of wizards. Generally speaking they're both smart and wise or on the road to wisdom.

In Discworld, (view spoiler)[the wizards of Unseen University are learned, but they're rarely wise and smart to the degree that they prefer to only hear themselves think. It makes them both detestable and quaintly likable at the same time. For all the times that I couldn't stand the things that Ridcully did, it was consequently so satisfying to see the results of his own hubris in the shower. (hide spoiler)]
In general, this is a pattern of turning a trope on its head, the same way that in the early Discworld books (view spoiler)[Rincewind was a wizard in spite of himself (hide spoiler)]

The wizards of the Unseen University are an absolutely pitch-perfect parody of British academia, especially at Oxford and Cambridge. I love reading all their scenes. It’s that wonderful blend of intelligence combined with zero common sense, and it feels, somehow, like a very realistic way to depict wizards. This is the genius of Pratchett - he makes the most ridiculous things feel obvious and inevitable. Of course the librarian is an orang-utan. Of course the Father Christmas character has a sleigh drawn by hogs.