Now that I'm done with PseudoPod, I've started picking at the edges of the Escape Pod catalog, starting with writers and readers that I know I'm predisposed to like. The story was enjoyable. Tina Connolly is an awesome reader as ever. But what really made it for me was Norm's opening. The Nigerian girlfriend bit was laugh out loud funny (for realz, not just internet lolz).
With regards to the emotionally clueless protagonist, I didn't find it too much of a stretch. I've known far too many smart folks who can do brainy super-nerd things but have far too few clues regarding how people work. There aren't enough good manuals regarding how people function for those nerds to be able to get it.