Tonight is the second episode of P&T's new show, Penn and Teller Tell a Lie. I have to say that while I generally like the duo's work, and I was prepared to like this show, last week's premiere underwhelmed me. Based on common sense, I picked out the lie (the feline "gag reflex" story, coupled with the photo of the New York Public Library lions) fairly easily, as did, apparently, a lot of other viewers. Obviously, P&T are "salting" the fake story with clues in order to teach the viewers something about critical thinking and careful observation, which is a Good Thing. I applaud them for that.
But I think a lot of today's viewers who generally aren't strong on critical thinking are strong on Internet searching. Great, I, say. Another teachable moment. Not being a magician, I feel free to reveal another way to pick out P&T's lie. Google. I repeat. Google, Google, Google. Or Bing. Bing, Bing, Bing. The Internet isn't all bad. It does have its good points, one of which is to verify positive information, as in this case.If one can verify a P&T story using key words, then one can eliminate that story as a candidate in the "lie" category. Googling does, however, make the premise of Tell a Lie a little less than magical. If the information that reveals or assists in revealing the lie, or eliminates some of the possible lies is easily available on the 'net, then the show is just a little less entertaining. That misses the point, you say? It's more fun to try to figure out the lie on your own, you say? Possibly. So refrain from Googling, Binging, Dogpiling, Alta Vista-ing, or otherwise assisting yourself cyberspatially. Me, I like trying to put one over on my favorite magician when I watch the show, and I like verifying my deductions. Some magicians are annoyingly deceptive guys, and frankly, in this case I feel no guilt in indulging in misdirection. "Honey, pay no attention to the clicking of keys from behind your curtain."
Ultimately, if viewers end by combining careful observation, critical thinking, and search skills, they'll have learned a lot from this show.
By the way, I actually believe in the feline "gag reflex." My felines exhibit it, and it increases exponentially as they approach, gag, and lie on any Oriental rug. This is a process. First they approach. Then they gag. Then I say, "Who left the hairball?" Then they lie.
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