Penn and Teller? WTF?

[sandinista]

Don't know if anyone has seen their show or not, I was unfortunate to catch an episode at a friends the other day (don't watch much tv at home). Was a show about fast food. These guys are just trying to be funny or something? This can't be meant to be taken seriously. A whole show on how bad government regulation is and how it is wrong for anyone to tell others what to do and not one mention of cigarettes, alcohol, or drugs or the thousand other government regulations on individuals behavior. Very strange. Besides that, they pick one thin person that eats that shit as "proof" somehow that fast food doesn't cause health problems. Can't really even believe I'm bringing this up or even taking the time to write about it, but was just sort of shocked at the poor quality of their arguments and "investigative/research" style (both terms used very loosely. Maybe they are trying to be witty or ironic or something and it was over my head. I truly hope no one watches this and takes it seriously. Train wreck. Sorry to waste your time reading this if you did.

[Animavore]

Their episode on global warming is even worse.

[AshtonBlack]

It's a pity, some of the episodes, such as the one on homoeopathy were spot on. But they do have some very strange ideas. I prefer them debunking woo merchants.

[sandinista]

maybe I'll check out some other ones for a laugh, although that would probably just piss me off thinking there might be some poor saps out there taking it seriously, kind of the same feeling I get whenever I see a fox news clip.

[Animavore]

Penn & Teller always said that the final episode of Bullshit will be called The Bullshit of Bullshit and correct any inaccuracies within the series.

[Ayaan]

It's a pity, some of the episodes, such as the one on homoeopathy were spot on. But they do have some very strange ideas. I prefer them debunking woo merchants.

They do have some very good ones. However, I think Penn's extremely libertarian views sometimes color the way he sees an issue. It wouldn't surprise me to find out that Teller thinks much the same way as Penn. It seemed to me they talked more about not allowing government to try to dictate what people eat than how good or bad for you fast food is. Either way, not one of their better episodes.

[sandinista]

Penn & Teller always said that the final episode of Bullshit will be called The Bullshit of Bullshit and correct any inaccuracies within the series.

Would it be like a feature film length episode? Funny these guys spouting off against government regulation, really hope this episode was filmed before the BP disaster.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

They are experts at taking one side of an issue. And they really don't care which side it is. In the end, they get paid.

[ScholasticSpastic]

Penn and Teller's Bullshit is an evangelical opinion show, just like Fox News. Penn is clearly a Libertarian, which means I agree with him about things like legalizing drugs and I agree with his debunking goodness (though it's obviously done with an eye on comedic effect more than thoroughness). I disagree with him about a lot of other shit. The show is entertaining whether or not one agrees with them. Even when I've disagreed, there have been some pretty decent points they've brought up hidden in the fat people/thin people/excuses for naked people bullshit.

Also, I agree with them that we need to find more excuses to put naked people on television.

[sandinista]

Why do they use the term "libertarian", is it not just the same old same old laissez-faire capitalism? A ridiculous notion for sure, I mean, really, all power to corporations, how can someone think that is not a very bad idea? Crazy talk.

[ScholasticSpastic]

Why do they use the term "libertarian", is it not just the same old same old laissez-faire capitalism? A ridiculous notion for sure, I mean, really, all power to corporations, how can someone think that is not a very bad idea? Crazy talk.

Libertarianism is not the same old same old laissez-faire capitalism. In some ways it makes more sense. In other ways it's far, far scarier.

[AnInconvenientScotsman]

Why do they use the term "libertarian", is it not just the same old same old laissez-faire capitalism?

Libertarianism encompasses more aspects of life than Capitalism. Whereas Capitalism is an economic system, Libertarianism covers both individual economic freedom and pretty much the freedom to do whatever you want.

[sandinista]

Why do they use the term "libertarian", is it not just the same old same old laissez-faire capitalism?

Libertarianism encompasses more aspects of life than Capitalism. Whereas Capitalism is an economic system, Libertarianism covers both individual economic freedom and pretty much the freedom to do whatever you want.

Sounds like the political philosophy of a whiny, wealthy, greedy american teenager.

[Martok]

Their show is rather disappointing. I've seen Penn on Larry King and use libertarian buzz words like "liberty" and "freedom" when talking about anything.

[Trolldor]

Why do they use the term "libertarian", is it not just the same old same old laissez-faire capitalism?

Libertarianism encompasses more aspects of life than Capitalism. Whereas Capitalism is an economic system, Libertarianism covers both individual economic freedom and pretty much the freedom to do whatever you want.

Nonsense. Anarchy is the freedom to do whatever you want. Libertarian is the freedom to do what other people want you to do because they have the money and power to enforce it.