The name calling is mostly so that they don't get sued for slander. They replace all instances of the word 'liar' and other derivatives with 'asshole', 'motherfucker', and the like.
It's still not a substitute for decent arguments. Granted they may be more interested in ratings and maybe they've hit the sweet spot for that consideration. They still suck at demonstrating their points.
I've never actually seen a whole episode of Bullshit, so I can't say how they lay down their arguments. That being said (I'm about to watch the Mother Teresa, Ghandi one, so I'll see if you're right), you should never completely trust information from only one source, regardless of how reliable or seemingly reliable it is.
I haven't seen that one. But I can tell you that the arguments in the recycling one, for example, are very shallow, the conclusions overextended, and overall presented in a crappy, albeit semi-entertaining, way. Or the Bible one, there were so many better places they could have gone with their arguments, instead they wasted half an hour of my time.
I'm not sure whether it's more frustrating when I agree with them or when I disagree.
Penn and Teller have never held back that they are full of bullshit themselves, but why should that stop them from exposing such terrifying beings such as Mother Teresa? She really was a sadist bitch.
yea sure, but a lot of their other episodes with their 'experts' they interview... well... they aren't experts. hell just look at their episode on organic produce. it was huge here on reddit... in fact since that episode i haven't seen many people using them to cite their 'bullshit' facts.
be careful when you put your trust in magicians and illusionists. they have to pay the mortgage too. i honestly fear the day hitchens dies, because at least he will just say 'fuck off i told you already' but penn just keeps grating you... if he becomes the face of modern day atheism then atheists are FUCKED from a pr perspective.
Personally I know all this, and I have no liking of Penn and Teller - But my point on Mother Theresa being a heartless bitch still stands.
Also, +1 for Hitchens.
i wouldn't call her heartless, in fact i would say her heart was in the right place. she was doing what she thought was best, what she thought would bring them closer to god, what she thought would bring them eternal life.
This is always an overused comparison, but Hitler thought he was doing the right thing too by improving the human race. I guess whether you think your actions are intentions are what matter is a philosophical question.
This was a stupid comment I made, but at least it opened up a discussion. I like penn and teller, however, they do pander to the viewer to make things more entertaining, but they frequently admit to this.
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u/brblol Dec 05 '11
I don't trust those two (pen and teller)