Discovery channel is making me mad!
Posted on: October 21, 2008 - 3:12pm
Offline
Discovery channel is making me mad!
I am watching right now an American haunting and it makes me sick to see this type of crap on Discovery. People watching Discovery thinking this might be backed up by science somehow. In almost every episode a catholic priest comes to save the day or a psychic. This is just so depressing...
I wrote an email to discovery telling them that a debunking show should replace it. hopefully they could at least have a debunking show in addition to this crap!
- Login to post comments
Discovery and History and the rest have been heading down the tubes for years now, unfortunately. There was a time when you could get unlimited Sharks and Nazis programming all day long, and then for a little while they actually started putting together some good specials about various topics, but around the time The Da Vinci Code came out, they saw the opportunity to plug into the lucrative ratings bracket of spiritual seekers and they began to make nothing but easily digestible pap. There are a few good shows hanging on, but "Ghost Hunters" and the like are their bread and butter.
"The whole conception of God is a conception derived from ancient Oriental despotisms. It is a conception quite unworthy of free men."
--Bertrand Russell
At least Discovery is MOSTLY science and has Mythbusters. The History Channel has all but become the Pseudoscience channel. They also have mostly Jesus bullshit around Christmas/Easter. Blame the idiots who are the majority in this country - if most people were as rational as the average RRS member, people wouldn't watch that shit, advertisers wouldn't pay to sponsor it, and it wouldn't be on.
Matt Shizzle has been banned from the Rational Response Squad website. This event shall provide an atmosphere more conducive to social growth. - Majority of the mod team
Facts don't sell. Fiction does sell. They had a choice, add fiction or close the channel.
Organised religion is the ultimate form of blasphemy.
Censored and blacked out for internet access in ANZ!
AU: http://nocleanfeed.com/ | NZ: http://nzblackout.org/
With the disclaimer that I watch Mythbusters all the time and love the show, we have to be careful with them. Granted, they are big proponents of the scientific method, but they'd be hard pressed to pass muster on some of their experiments. I know it's a TV show and they're just trying to prove their point, but they've certainly cut some corners in their time.
Even so, I love the fact that their bottom line is always "If you can scientifically prove us wrong, more power to you. We'd love to see the results." That's science in action, and I have tremendous respect for them on that count.
If my informants are correct, The History Channel doesn't demand historical accuracy. They just demand money. Once Christians figured that out, they just started producing their own shit and paid the money to get it played. I think somebody ought to sue The History Channel. They ought not be able to use that name if they aren't filtering their content for actual history.
Atheism isn't a lot like religion at all. Unless by "religion" you mean "not religion". --Ciarin
http://hambydammit.wordpress.com/
Books about atheism
Yes, the History Channel has definitely taken on a National Enquirer / Jerry Springer edge. Last night they were advertising a program called "God versus Satan". What a joke. What's next an episode on Bat Boy or UFO's ?
I'm guessing you haven't watched in a long time. They have shit on UFOs all the time. Plus psychics, ghosts, etc - with very little if any skeptical content. True Mythbusters doesn't do true scientific experiments but it at least debunks a lot of nonsense and has/shows respect for science. We haven't had the History channel in a while - Comcast took it away from those of us who can't afford digital - but it did still have some legitimate History, but the pseudoscience and religion was pushing it to the edge. I wish there was a "science" channel that didn't include anything about UFO's, psychics, ghosts, religion or any such thing unless it was to debunk it.
Matt Shizzle has been banned from the Rational Response Squad website. This event shall provide an atmosphere more conducive to social growth. - Majority of the mod team
As it turns out, The Science Channel is pretty good about that. It's not commonly available, of course. You usually have to have a high level package to get it. I'm just kind of lucky because I have Satellite that includes it in the basic package.
Just for an example, here's today's schedule. Granted, there's a certain amount of basic future claptrap where people guess at uninvented technologies, but for the most part, it's about real stuff that exists now. There's a lot of focus on the nuts and bolts of how the universe works, like "How Do They Do It?" and "How It's Made."
(60 minutes)
TV-PG, CC
Academy Award winner James Cameron leads a film team of underwater explorers on a series of historic dives to document the innermost spaces of the world's most famous shipwreck. The team will use four mini-robots and a seafloor-to-satellite data system.
(30 minutes)
Episode 5
TV-G, CC
Newspapers, Ports, Contact Lenses
(30 minutes)
Episode 3
TV-G, CC
Trainers, Ships, Watches
(60 minutes)
TV-G, CC
In 2000, two mysterious explosions ripped through the Kursk, sinking the Russian nuclear submarine and claiming the lives of 118 crewmembers. A mammoth salvage ship is brought in to raise the vessel from its resting-place and carry her back to shore.
(60 minutes)
TV-G, CC
Daniel T. is a "super brain". He can calculate numbers to hundreds of decimal points in seconds and learn new languages in a week. Through a set of challenges against other "super brains," Daniel's amazing abilities are demonstrated.
(60 minutes)
TV-PG, CC
Barney recalls the day he was hit by a car: his back was broken, and his wife was killed. Today, he will be given a pill to erase the memory of that tragic day for good. At a treatment center in Montreal, PTSD patients are given a second chance at life.
(60 minutes)
TV-G, CC
There is a young blind man who can play the piano like Mozart but cannot count to five or do up his own shoelaces. Can anyone explain the mystery of savant musician Derek Paraviccini?
(60 minutes)
Episode 17
TV-G, CC
Hosts travel the world covering innovations and breakthroughs in all areas of life including medicine, robots, wildlife management, and the next generation of shopping.
(60 minutes)
TV-G, CC
This intense shark experience combines cutting-edge underwater photography with state-of-the-art graphics to reveal the battles that rage day and night on a tropical coral reef. The principle players are deadly sharks as never before seen.
(30 minutes)
Cybermind
TV-PG, CC
Peer into the future as scientists begin to unlock the key to technological mastery in the 21st century, when machines will be controlled by the mind alone. As computer chips and brain cells merge, the consequences of thinking may be drastic.
(30 minutes)
Fast Frozen Future
TV-PG, CC
People are always complaining about the weather; seems like it's always too hot or too cold. Find out what would happen if Earth's temperature really took a dramatic turn. The slightest change could transform the entire planet.
(30 minutes)
Speed
TV-G, CC
Explore the need for speed as the world's fastest airplane, the SR-71 Blackbird, sets the stage for super-sonic transports, single-stage-to-orbit launch vehicles and even flying saucers. Veterinarians explore techniques for breeding faster horses.
(30 minutes)
Tornado of the Century
TV-G, CC
In May of 1999, an epic storm unleashed 45 tornadoes in the biggest tornado event of the century. Moment by moment, scientists tracked the storm and meteorologists issued warnings that saved thousands of lives. Still, many perished.
(60 minutes)
Bridges
TV-G, CC
Examine the beauty and functionality of various styles of bridges, focusing on the factors that dictate bridge design. The construction and maintenance of these structures are often as dramatic as the bridges themselves.
(30 minutes)
Eco-Energy
TV-G, CC
Chris, Micah, and Nobu check out bike powered electric generators in Illinois, build wind turbines to power a house built out of recycled material in upstate New York, and run into bus problems that threaten to derail the road trip.
(30 minutes)
Less Landfill
TV-G, CC
In New York state, Chris, Nobu and Micah learn how to make biodegradable plastic, a skateboard with soy, hemp and bamboo, and home insulation with mushrooms.
(60 minutes)
Mechanical Mole
TV-G, CC
West Coast power plant installers are pitted against East Coast artists in a race to drill through a concrete wall and seize a stash of gold. A comedy of errors ensues as both teams suffer mechanical and communication breakdowns.
(60 minutes)
Climbing Car
TV-G, CC
A group of grease monkeys called the Pit Crew go head-to-head with former fighter pilots called the Jet Jocks. The goal is to climb a steep incline, but the Jock's ingenious design and the Pit Crew invention's sheer size make for thrills and spills.
(60 minutes)
Search
TV-G, CC
In a few short years, a new and unique way of finding information revolutionized the Web. In the process, Google grew into one of the largest companies in the United States.
(60 minutes)
TV-G, CC
The Great Lakes are home to one of ten Americans, but for mariners, they are a place of death and destruction. Sudden storms and gale force winds can strike with little warning and send even the largest ships to the bottom of this fresh water sea.
(60 minutes)
TV-PG, CC
Academy Award winner James Cameron leads a film team of underwater explorers on a series of historic dives to document the innermost spaces of the world's most famous shipwreck. The team will use four mini-robots and a seafloor-to-satellite data system.
(30 minutes)
Episode 5
TV-G, CC
Newspapers, Ports, Contact Lenses
(30 minutes)
Episode 3
TV-G, CC
Trainers, Ships, Watches
(60 minutes)
Episode 18
TV-G, CC
Hosts travel the world covering innovations and breakthroughs in all areas of life including medicine, robots, wildlife management, and the next generation of shopping.
(60 minutes)
Oakland Bay Bridge
TV-PG, CC
The New Bay Bridge is the biggest construction project in California history. This two-mile, earthquake-proof road will replace the most heavily trafficked bridge in the country - the span linking San Francisco to Oakland and the East Bay.
(30 minutes)
Episode 7
TV-G, CC
Find out how racing shells, stainless steel sinks, leather, and pedal steel guitars are made.
(30 minutes)
Episode 8
TV-G, CC
Find out how swords, pontoons, grandfather clocks, and fuses are made.
(30 minutes)
Episode 5
TV-G, CC
Espresso Machine, Hard Disk Drive , Electric Guitar , Aquarium
(30 minutes)
Episode 3
TV-G, CC
Night Vision Goggles, Thermostatic Valve, Piano , Refrigerator
(30 minutes)
Great Balls of Fire
TV-G, CC
An amateur scientist creates ball lightning using submarine batteries and a tub full of water. From this test to groundbreaking experiments with Plasma, could this strange substance hold the answer to a future of fusion power?
(30 minutes)
The Fly
TV-G, CC
A professor unlocks the mystery of insect flight and starts a chain reaction of experiments, taking us on a robotic roller coaster. From the humble fly we learn how a man made machine can be sent into disaster zones to search for survivors.
(30 minutes)
Episode 5
TV-G, CC
Espresso Machine, Hard Disk Drive , Electric Guitar , Aquarium
(30 minutes)
Episode 3
TV-G, CC
Night Vision Goggles, Thermostatic Valve, Piano , Refrigerator
Atheism isn't a lot like religion at all. Unless by "religion" you mean "not religion". --Ciarin
http://hambydammit.wordpress.com/
Books about atheism
yeah Mythbusters is a good show just their name alone is great. maybe they can bust the Jesus myth one day lol! But seriously we need to maybe at least email these channels and let them know what we think. it can't hurt!
They'd never let them do it. The sponsors would yank their sponsorship quick. Still both Adam and that incredibly hot Kari are both atheists. She could "bust" me in any day!
Matt Shizzle has been banned from the Rational Response Squad website. This event shall provide an atmosphere more conducive to social growth. - Majority of the mod team
I have to agree I have been seeing more of that crap around lately but I am thankful it's not everything they put out there, you know? If they had nothing but that they'd have to change their name to "PsuedoDiscoveryTV" or something, because it wouldn't make any sense to have a network with nothing but nonsense on it that claims to have science and whatnot on it, would it?
Regardless, I do wish none of it was on there. The only thing I like watching that could even remotely come close would be the UFO specials but if anyone knows their statistics I'm almost positive it's been worked out somewhere that it's statistically impossible for us to be the only intelligent life in the universe, right?
On another note I do remember seeing this ridiculous movie on Sci-Fi (but that is Sci-Fi, of course) one time about some Succubi, it was REALLY bad and it was more of a porno than anything else, hence why I was seriously confused as to why it was on daytime network television. I think that's why I haven't been able to find it on IMDB so far, it was THAT bad I guess.
How do you know Kari is an atheist? That makes her more hot, of course, but how do you know?
As near as I can tell, Tory is a Christian. I have no idea about Grant or Jamie.
Atheism isn't a lot like religion at all. Unless by "religion" you mean "not religion". --Ciarin
http://hambydammit.wordpress.com/
Books about atheism
I forget where I heard it but it was in some magazine article a while back.
All I know is that my life changed when I saw the FHM Soda and Mentos spread
Atheism isn't a lot like religion at all. Unless by "religion" you mean "not religion". --Ciarin
http://hambydammit.wordpress.com/
Books about atheism
Ok... so I did a youtube search for Mythbusters... cause it's on my brain now. A couple of observations:
1) Kari's butt scan (for the enormous ass on a plane toilet episode) has been viewed 1,891,933 times.
2) Just do a search for "Mythbusters Banned Episode." Trust me.
3) When you're done that, search for "Mythbusters - Do Pretty Girls Fart?" Honestly... it's just wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong.
Atheism isn't a lot like religion at all. Unless by "religion" you mean "not religion". --Ciarin
http://hambydammit.wordpress.com/
Books about atheism
The only thing that comes up on the "banned episode" is the one on farting which they do show.
Matt Shizzle has been banned from the Rational Response Squad website. This event shall provide an atmosphere more conducive to social growth. - Majority of the mod team
Just last night I was watching Underground Cities or something like that. I should have been warned because they eps were shot in bibleland. It was an opportunity not only to give the bible believers a thrill but to put things in perspective. For example, Hezakiah's Tunnel got the full bible-thumping. There was no followup about mountaineers having tried to enter the tunnel and failed. The angle of the walls and ceiling are to steep.
Ignoring the science even the host stated the Dead Sea is between Israel and Jordan. Last I looked at a map it was between the occupied West Bank and Jordan. To make matters worse some place they got an idiot's map showing what the narrator said without a West Bank, showing it all as Israel.
Jews stole the land. The owners want it back. That is all anyone needs to know about Israel. That is all there is to know about Israel.
www.ussliberty.org
www.giwersworld.org/made-in-alexandria/index.html
www.giwersworld.org/00_files/zion-hit-points.phtml
Can any one remember just how many wars were started over this? 3 or 4?
What Would Kharn Do?
Yeah, but ... she's cute, she's (apparently) an atheist, and she's a really good sport? Holy hot, Batman.
Saint Will: no gyration without funkstification.
fabulae! nil satis firmi video quam ob rem accipere hunc mi expediat metum. - Terence
I'm latching onto the idea that she's an atheist. I'm believing it on faith. It makes my fantasies SOOOO much hotter
Atheism isn't a lot like religion at all. Unless by "religion" you mean "not religion". --Ciarin
http://hambydammit.wordpress.com/
Books about atheism
In real history only the Crusades were specifically fought for the religious significance of bibleland.
In 1948, Jews were driving out the native population to steal their land.
In 1956, Israel attacked Egypt for control of the Suez Canal. In 1967, Israel attacked Egypt for control of the Sinai and attacked Syria for control of the Syrian, aka Golan, Heights. In 1973, Egypt and Syria attacked to regain lost territory. In 1983, Israel attacked Lebanon in an attempt to gain control of the water from the Litani River. 2005 war on Lebanon for the same reason.
Jews stole the land. The owners want it back. That is all anyone needs to know about Israel. That is all there is to know about Israel.
www.ussliberty.org
www.giwersworld.org/made-in-alexandria/index.html
www.giwersworld.org/00_files/zion-hit-points.phtml
ah, my long, bittersweet love affair with the history channel.
it all started around 1997, when i used to refer to it as "the WWII channel." 24 hours of black and white stock footage of hitler and jackbooted waffen-ss marching in parades, all set to the sweet lilting of british narrators. i remember watching it with my grandfather, who has since passed on. well, mostly he just snored.
these days, history and discovery both have become low-brow, it's true. but honestly, they were only barely respectable to begin with. really, they're just a way for the typical couch potato to feel erudite for a couple of hours, with little or no effort. personally, i still love both channels, because i consider them high-class entertainment. i mean, they may be full of bullshit, but it's better than sitcoms or poorly produced sci-fi movies.
actually, my favorite was always a&e. i love biography and all their crime documentaries, as well as their excellent movies. i can still remember watching longitude and horatio hornblower as a teenager. anyone remember the crossing, with jeff daniels as george washington? oh, AND they always had matlock and night court on in the mornings. night court, for christ's sake! where the hell else can you find night court these days??? (seriously, tell me.)
"I have never felt comfortable around people who talk about their feelings for Jesus, or any other deity for that matter, because they are usually none too bright. . . . Or maybe 'stupid' is a better way of saying it; but I have never seen much point in getting heavy with either stupid people or Jesus freaks, just as long as they don't bother me. In a world as weird and cruel as this one we have made for ourselves, I figure anybody who can find peace and personal happiness without ripping off somebody else deserves to be left alone. They will not inherit the earth, but then neither will I. . . . And I have learned to live, as it were, with the idea that I will never find peace and happiness, either. But as long as I know there's a pretty good chance I can get my hands on either one of them every once in a while, I do the best I can between high spots."
--Hunter S. Thompson