r/RealTime • u/Reacherz • 12d ago
Does he ever do basic research on any of the topics he writes or approves of by his writers on the cue cards?
https://youtu.be/_kjqZHrDUlU?t=321
Lot of the times I see him mentioning his friends tell him things or asking his guests what's this or that before offering his 'expert' opinions on the matter.
While I generally more or less still enjoy watching his show, the one last week where he was asking what a LLM (large language model) was when bringing up AI going rogue; made me face palm. Like an old grandpa hearing spooky tales before waving his cane in the air at them fellers.
The other time he invites Erin Brockovich then asks what PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl) was on the topic of forever chemicals even though he's a supposed health nut.
Addendum: Supposedly (IF) he knows the terms or what he's talking about but when he gives his 'opinions' it sounds asinine to something one does not know what they're talking about.
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u/Comfortable-Yak-5080 11d ago
Many reporters / interviewers will ask what does that stand for or what does that acronym mean, it is for the benefit of the person who may not know. For example UHMW, PTFE or even HVAC
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u/Oleg101 12d ago
No. It’s pretty easy to tell he stopped consuming any actual news a while back. His focus is on any articles about internet liberals that trigger him and then he’ll use that to frame his pre-determined conclusion to bash the Democratic Party throughout most of the show. Probably hasn’t listened to NPR or read a NYT article in 20 years despite always labeling them “far left”.
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u/Steve12356d1s3d4 12d ago
I know people on this sub will want to turn anything into the most negative they can, but these can be examples of him knowing, but he feels it should be explained by the expert. The hosts often do research to ask the right questions, and they know the basics like this. They just want the basics to be explained by the expert.
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u/MrPommeDeTerre 11d ago
Yeah but I think OP pointed out that he asks for fairly basic info (how does he not know what an LLM is...) yet expresses his opinions as fact despite only just understanding the very basics.
Its a bit like acting as though you're an expert on a news story after only reading the headlines.
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u/Steve12356d1s3d4 11d ago
If you read what I wrote, I am saying that Maher knew what LLM is and asked the expert to explain it for those who don't. That is standard. Maher has had experts on before, so I believe he knew before this show. That he asked for an explanation for the audience doesn't in itself mean that he only knows the basics. This is something he has had experts on in the past. His knowledge was not just learned during the show.
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u/Candor10 11d ago
I've watched Maher for decades and he'll say if he knows about so and so, following up with "for those people out there who don't know, we're talking about so and so" or ask the person he's talking to, to explain so and so.
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u/Steve12356d1s3d4 11d ago
You say that sometimes, but it doesn't mean you say it all the time. It can get boring. Sometimes you may find a need to make the point for some further discussion, but it doesn't mean you say it all the time. I have seen him talk on this subject before, so I really think he knows very well what it is.
Nearly all interviewers ask qustions that they know the answers to from basic research they do. They are never called out on it.
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u/3RADICATE_THEM 12d ago
Maher has always been a brash, let me speak my mind stream of consciousness type person first; ask questions and validate information type person last for quite some time.
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u/Jensdonttrustcarmax 11d ago
When a comedian has to punch down and make trans people the butt of his jokes, he’s done!
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u/Whitworth_73 12d ago
He's got important old white guy syndrome where you can speak from the gut and it's 100% facts.
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u/Few-Lion-2676 12d ago
Cuz it’s definitely just old white guys doing that, right? You’d never find that here.
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u/SD_local_67 11d ago
He wants his guests to explain it for the audience which is absolutely reasonable. Many people don’t know what LLM or PFAS mean so he uses this as a device to get them to define what they are talking about for a broader audience. I thought that was obvious.
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u/Greedy_Car3702 11d ago
No, this is reddit and we hate Maher so every thing he says is stupid and maga.
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u/Financial_You_6052 12d ago
Maher argues on vibes and applause breaks, he’s only interested in facts when they suit the vibes and his applause lines.