Aug 10, 2022 08:23 PM
(This post was last modified: Aug 10, 2022 08:24 PM by C C.)
https://www.acsh.org/news/2022/08/09/bil...ment-16479
INTRO EXCERPTS: Comedian Bill Maher is in trouble after attacking the fat-acceptance movement on his show last week. Not only was the segment hilarious, but it highlighted an important fact many people would rather not discuss: social-justice activists are rewriting science to protect their ideological commitments.
[...] As far as edgy comedy goes, Maher's segment was rather mild. I was obese for most of my childhood and young adult years, yet I found no offense in what he said. But even if someone thought Maher's jokes were out of line, the facts behind them are imminently defensible. In so many words, he argued that:
This actually raises an important question: why is Maher the one taking on the “fat acceptance” movement? If doctors, obesity researchers, and health journalists would honestly but respectfully communicate the risks of obesity to the public, which they increasingly refuse to do, Maher wouldn't have any material. That's why his bit is so funny. Not only has society turned a blind eye to the problem, we've reached a level of absurdity where major retailers run ad campaigns called 'Fat Girls Can Do Whatever They Want' so they can sell more plus-size clothing... (MORE - missing details)
New Rule: Fat Acceptance | Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO)
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/yfiWjnStE3w
INTRO EXCERPTS: Comedian Bill Maher is in trouble after attacking the fat-acceptance movement on his show last week. Not only was the segment hilarious, but it highlighted an important fact many people would rather not discuss: social-justice activists are rewriting science to protect their ideological commitments.
[...] As far as edgy comedy goes, Maher's segment was rather mild. I was obese for most of my childhood and young adult years, yet I found no offense in what he said. But even if someone thought Maher's jokes were out of line, the facts behind them are imminently defensible. In so many words, he argued that:
- Our society no longer treats obesity as a preventable health condition but a protected status. This is an example of people “rewriting science” to fit their ideology.
- Obesity carries significant health risks.
- We know why most people gain weight and how they can lose it; arguments to the contrary are stupid.
- Overweight people who slim down are routinely and wrongly criticized for their efforts.
“Just to be clear, Maher is not a scientist. During this segment, he also didn’t present any real scientific studies or have any, you know, real live scientists present.”
This actually raises an important question: why is Maher the one taking on the “fat acceptance” movement? If doctors, obesity researchers, and health journalists would honestly but respectfully communicate the risks of obesity to the public, which they increasingly refuse to do, Maher wouldn't have any material. That's why his bit is so funny. Not only has society turned a blind eye to the problem, we've reached a level of absurdity where major retailers run ad campaigns called 'Fat Girls Can Do Whatever They Want' so they can sell more plus-size clothing... (MORE - missing details)
New Rule: Fat Acceptance | Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO)
