Penn and Teller: Challenging Common Beliefs on Drugs and Sexual Enhancement

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the show "Penn and Teller: Bullshit!" which challenges common beliefs about drugs and sexual enhancement. Participants share their opinions on the show's content, entertainment value, and the accuracy of its claims, while also discussing related topics such as streaming services and the legality of content access.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants find the show entertaining and reassuring, aligning with their own beliefs.
  • Others express skepticism about the accuracy of the show's claims, citing specific examples they believe are misleading.
  • A few participants discuss the legality and ethics of streaming services that provide access to TV shows.
  • There are mentions of specific episodes, such as one involving Greenpeace and another discussing bacteria on hands versus other body parts.
  • Some participants argue that the show's dramatic presentation may overshadow factual accuracy.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential for misinformation, with calls for viewers to challenge inaccuracies when noticed.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express a mix of admiration and skepticism towards the show, with no clear consensus on its accuracy or overall value. Disagreements exist regarding specific claims made in episodes and the implications of those claims.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific claims made in the show, highlighting the need for careful consideration of the context and accuracy of those claims. There is also discussion about the nature of streaming services and their legal standing, which remains unresolved.

Who May Find This Useful

Viewers interested in critical discussions about media representation, those who enjoy Penn and Teller's style of entertainment, and individuals concerned about the accuracy of information presented in popular shows may find this discussion relevant.

cronxeh
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Does anyone watch this hilariously awesome show? I found it to be both entertaining and enlightening.
 
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No. What's it about?
 
They pretty much echo everything I think. Its very reassuring and comforting to know that amids this insanity we have this show :cool:
 
I've never seen this show, but Penn and Teller are two very entertaining guys.
 
When I was heavier set and had longer hair I was told I looked like Penn. I'm not sure it was very complimentary.
 
I do enjoy that show a lot, but take their opinions with a grain of entertainer's salt.
 
I watched all of the trailers they had on their site. It looks like a good show. Not good enough to pay for Showtime, but pretty good. Maybe it will come out on DVD.

As a practitioner, I liked the Yoga promo. "It's stretching..."
 
FredGarvin said:
I watched all of the trailers they had on their site. It looks like a good show. Not good enough to pay for Showtime, but pretty good. Maybe it will come out on DVD.
As a practitioner, I liked the Yoga promo. "It's stretching..."

I only pay 5 bucks a month for ess.tv - online streaming of all TV shows (Mythbusters, Scrubs, XFiles, Simpsons, Family Guy, and BS of course etc) . Its legal as long as its a private membership I suppose :biggrin:


Matter of fact it is legal because it is a streaming of a recorded broadcasted TV show making is a secondary broadcast, and since its done by a non-profit organization, its perfectly fine. Moving right along.
 
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Crap! That site's only accessable from the US.

Anybody want to hack me up a fix for that? :rolleyes:
 
  • #10
cronxeh said:
I only pay 5 bucks a month for ess.tv - online streaming of all TV shows (Mythbusters, Scrubs, XFiles, Simpsons, Family Guy, and BS of course etc) . Its legal as long as its a private membership I suppose :biggrin:
Matter of fact it is legal because it is a streaming of a recorded broadcasted TV show making is a secondary broadcast, and since its done by a non-profit organization, its perfectly fine. Moving right along.
Hmm...I have never heard of that. I'll look into it. Thanks!
 
  • #11
They need rename the show not because it has a cuss word in it but because people might think that it is
 
  • #12
cronxeh said:
I only pay 5 bucks a month for ess.tv - online streaming of all TV shows (Mythbusters, Scrubs, XFiles, Simpsons, Family Guy, and BS of course etc) . Its legal as long as its a private membership I suppose :biggrin:
Matter of fact it is legal because it is a streaming of a recorded broadcasted TV show making is a secondary broadcast, and since its done by a non-profit organization, its perfectly fine. Moving right along.

That's interesting. BTEfnet was shutdown by the MPAA for hosting tv-show torrents, which were completely free, of course. It would seem to me that a premium private membership would be more heinous, unless they're paying the MPAA not to sue them or are buying the rights somehow to show them.

http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9588_22-5705142.html - MPAA targets BTEfnet

Does your service show commercials with their broadcasts?
 
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  • #13
cronxeh said:
They pretty much echo everything I think. Its very reassuring and comforting to know that amids this insanity we have this show :cool:
I love those guys! Sometimes they are over the top, but so what? I'm on their side.

(Yes, it's available on DVD.)
 
  • #14
Jelfish said:
That's interesting. BTEfnet was shutdown by the MPAA for hosting tv-show torrents, which were completely free, of course. It would seem to me that a premium private membership would be more heinous, unless they're paying the MPAA not to sue them or are buying the rights somehow to show them.
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9588_22-5705142.html - MPAA targets BTEfnet
Does your service show commercials with their broadcasts?


A commercial streaming service is not a commercial bittorrent tracker. The only thing the two have in common really is that they were both providing TV shows. Streaming is not downloading. Its broadcasting. If you download a file, you can share that with others. Something that is streamed on the other hand, can't be. Well, basically. You could save the data, but that's not the service the company is offering you, just as your cable company doesn't sell you the ability to put a pc with a video capture card on your cable connection to record and share all your programs. Streaming, is like cable, just selling the broadcast, not a file.
 
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  • #15
tvtorrents.com however is a free tv torrent service.
 
  • #16
The show is bull****. Half the stuff they present on that show are false.
 
  • #17
Entropy said:
The show is bull****. Half the stuff they present on that show are false.

Care to back it up?
 
  • #18
Care to back it up?

Like during one show they claim how there is more bacteria on your hands that your ass, so you rub asses instead of shake hands. But they fail to mention that the bacteria on in feces is deadly and the bacteria on your hands isn't nescessarily.

I've only watched like 3 shows, but that one turned me off to it. Maybe half their stuff isn't false but that one struck a nerve with me. I did enjoy the Greenpeace episode though.
 
  • #19
Entropy said:
Like during one show they claim how there is more bacteria on your hands that your ass, so you rub asses instead of shake hands. But they fail to mention that the bacteria on in feces is deadly and the bacteria on your hands isn't nescessarily.

I've only watched like 3 shows, but that one turned me off to it. Maybe half their stuff isn't false but that one struck a nerve with me. I did enjoy the Greenpeace episode though.

First, you made a statement based on 3 shows? Thats a little B.S. don't you think?

Second, they went to MD's, so I'll let the lab results speak for themselves and keep it objective, and it wasnt bacteria from around sphincter, but rather around buttocks that contact with the toilet seat.

Last, every bacteria is deadly if your immunity is nonexistent. Besides, Ecoli in intestines is harmless for most people (some strains like O157:H7 cause diarrhea with kidney damage)
 
  • #20
Furthermore, while P&T are into drama and entertainment, they are also committed to accuracy. If you see something that you know isn't true, let them know. I'm serious--they will bend over backwards to correct any mistakes they might make.
 
  • #21
Danger said:
Crap! That site's only accessable from the US.
Anybody want to hack me up a fix for that? :rolleyes:


sigh, ditto. america sucks.
 
  • #22
Entropy said:
I did enjoy the Greenpeace episode though.

Wasn't this the one where they had some protestors sign an address to ban dihydrogenmonoxide?

Anyways, I like the show since they went after a bunch of stuff that piss me off too and did it in a funny way.
 
  • #23
inha said:
Wasn't this the one where they had some protestors sign an address to ban dihydrogenmonoxide?
Anyways, I like the show since they went after a bunch of stuff that piss me off too and did it in a funny way.

The "Environmental Hysteria" was the one where they had hundreds of people sign a ban on water.
 
  • #24
Doc Al said:
Furthermore, while P&T are into drama and entertainment, they are also committed to accuracy. If you see something that you know isn't true, let them know. I'm serious--they will bend over backwards to correct any mistakes they might make.

How do you know that? A lot of the stuff seems possibly far fetched and I'd be even more amazed if they were actually accurate statements.
 
  • #25
Pengwuino said:
How do you know that?
I heard it from Penn's own lips. :wink: (I believe someone had actually pointed out some error--I think it was related to second hand smoke--and Penn invited the person to send in any evidence that they had. P&T take this stuff quite seriously (believe it or not) and try to ensure that their facts are accurate. They have their own team of fact checkers and investigators.)

A lot of the stuff seems possibly far fetched and I'd be even more amazed if they were actually accurate statements.
See if you can find a specific example that you question, dig up the evidence and let them know. I haven't seen all of the shows, just the DVD of the first few seasons. From what I saw, most of the things they "attack" are incredibly stupid. (Astrology? ET? Feng Shui? Get real!) But it's fun to watch. These guys are quite opiniated, so they will surely go out of their way to stir up trouble. But, IMO, they really do care about being correct. After all, there's no shortage of BS out there.
 
  • #26
Doc Al said:
See if you can find a specific example that you question, dig up the evidence and let them know. I haven't seen all of the shows, just the DVD of the first few seasons. From what I saw, most of the things they "attack" are incredibly stupid. (Astrology? ET? Feng Shui? Get real!) But it's fun to watch. These guys are quite opiniated, so they will surely go out of their way to stir up trouble. But, IMO, they really do care about being correct. After all, there's no shortage of BS out there.

The one about AA was quite surprising where they said something like 5% of people who join AA are actually off of alcohol after 12 months. I want to take a look at that one. I wouldn't at all be surprised... but its just pretty interesting if its true so I want to go take a look later.
 
  • #27
Mk said:
tvtorrents.com however is a free tv torrent service.

And that would be illegal, and I doubt they'll last.
 
  • #28
Also, one of their shows devoted to drugs they try to push the point that some illegal drugs, like marijunia(sp?), should be made legal because they aren't as harmful as tobacco as long as people smoking it stay away from people who don't. Except that's the main reason it is illegal because it so heavily impares your judgement and people that are under its influence tend to interact with everyone else in the community.

Another episode about sexual enhancement, they say there is no such thing as an aphrodisiac. Their basically denying the existence of pheromones and viagra. Also they say nothing will increase the size of a woman's breast or a man's penis unless you go under a knife. Which is absolutely false. A man's diet can also effect his sexual preformance.
 

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