LFotW: False Continuum

This is the idea that because there is no definitive demarcation line between two extremes, that the distinction between the extremes is not real or meaningful: There is a fuzzy line between cults and religion, therefore they are really the same thing. This fallacy is especially important to understand in the context of medicine; most human traits vary according to a Bell curve of variation. “Unhealthy” is often defined as being too far out to one extreme or the other. The false continuum logical fallacy is sometimes used to argue that these extremes are merely part of a continuum of variation, and therefore have no meaning or significance. However, this is like saying that “short” and “tall” have no meaning because human height is a continuum of variation. Blood pressure is a good example. We can meaningfully define high blood pressure because it correlates with increased risk of certain disease, such as heart attacks, even though high blood pressure is at the upper end of a continuum of variation.

In part this logical fallacy represents discomfort with the concept of a fuzzy line of demarcation between two extremes. But such fuzzy lines are more the rule than the exception in this complex world.

LFotW: False Dichotomy

This is a very important fallacy to recognize and is used quite often. This fallacy consists of arbitrarily reducing a set of many possibilities to only two. For example, evolution is not possible, therefore we must have been created (assumes these are the only two possibilities). Actually, this fallacy can apply to any premature reduction in the possible set of explanations for a phenomenon – not necessarily down to only two possibilities. UFO proponents, for example, will often analyze a sighting by saying the object was not a plane, not a balloon, and not celestial object, therefore it was a flying saucer. They are limiting the set of possibilities to a few easily dismissed choices, and the desired choice, while ignoring the many other possibilities.

This fallacy can also be used to oversimplify a continuum of variation to two black and white choices. For example, science and pseudoscience are not two discrete entities, but rather the methods and claims of all those who attempt to explain reality fall along a continuum from one extreme to the other.

Movie Review: V for Vendetta

Summary: Futuristic tale about fascist Great Britain and a masked guy named V and his goal to overthrow the government.

Rating: 8.0 out of 10

Review: Kind of a light/dark, comedy/action, comic book movie with a solid storyline. A good movie about Big Brother in the near future with some relevant ties to our current political state. Natalie Portman did an excellent job with her role.

Movie Review: Enchanted

Summary: Princess from Disney-style cartoon comes alive and has to find help in New York City.

Rating: 7.0 out of 10

Review: This was actually a pretty good movie. I was just expecting a silly, chick flick, but it was quite humorous and well done. Amy Adams did a fantastic job of being the spacey fairytale princess. It was over the top, but that was what they were going for. It did a good job of poking fun at all the quirky features of Disney fairy tales.

The Backyardigans: Live!

So, Jacob's favorite show is the Backyardigans. He is obsessed with them. I think Pablo might have been his first word. So, when we heard that a live-action theater performance of the Backyardigan's "We're Knights , That's Right" was coming close to us, we knew we had to go. Let me tell you, I have never seen so many kids in one room. It was crazy!

So, the only thing we got Jacob was a Backyardigan's magic wand. We already had the CD and they had a bunch of T-shirts, but he was happy with his wand. So, we found our seats and waited 15 minutes for the show to start. Jacob was really good waiting in the noisy room for his favorite guys. So, finally, the lights dimmed, the music started, and the curtain opened.

You know the type of outfit that mascots and theme park characters where? With a big outfit and even larger head (and probably 110 degrees inside)?

Fig 1: What we expected

Yeah, well, when the Backyardigans came out on stage, they were not dressed like that. Imagine a kid coming up to your door on Halloween wearing a costume they bought at Walmart. You know, the big one piece outfit with a hood with ears on it? Yeah, that was more like the costumes that the actors were wearing.

Fig 2: What we got

Well, you could say that I was a bit surprised that the production decided to go that way. After the initial surprise, I decided it would be fine. But, then the actors opened up there mouths. Jacob can tell you who is talking by the sound of their voices. But, these actors sounded nothing like the Backyardigans. So, now they didn't look like them or sound like them. What's next? Well, come to find out, I don't think these actors (for the most part) have ever seen an episode of Backyardigans. The Pablo character was a bad imitation of Nathan Lane, the Tyrone character was whiny and annoying, and Uniqua was not herself as well. Not an impressive start to the show.

But, we were not there for me, we were there for Jacob. So, if he was okay with it, then so was I. I looked over at him at the beginning of the show and you could tell he was perplexed. But, when the first character opened his/her mouth, that is when he started his scared crying. He was just freaked out by the weirdness of his beloved characters. I don't blame him. He calmed down and started watching the show, but every time the Backyardigans did something that was just too out of character, he would kind of cry. We felt bad forcing him (sort of) to stay and watch the show, but I think he did enjoy it in the end. I almost took him outside to calm down, but he wanted to stay and didn't cry at all in the second act. I'm sure he would have preferred mascot characters with prerecorded voices of the actual voice actors, but it wasn't a failed show for Jacob.

I would like to say that most of the kids there did seem to enjoy the show. I thought the Tasha actor did a really good job with the character and I thought the dragon was pretty funny. But, I think we will stick to the 10 minute show of Dora at King's Island. He loves that show, big-head Dora and all.

Eddie Izzard: Stripped (Stand Up Comedy Show)

Eddie Izzard is the hilarious English comedian/actor who made it big in the US from his hit HBO comedy performance "Dressed to Kill" in 1999. He has played a ton of bit parts in movies (including Ocean's 12 and 13, Mystery Men, etc.) and has the lead in the hit television show "The Riches". But, for us, Izzard became famous for the "Dressed to Kill" HBO special. That comedy routine is insanely quotable, it has become standard lingo in our family ("Do you have a flag?" or "Cake or death?"). So, when we (Sarah, really) found out that he was coming to Cincy on a comedy tour, we had to go. I was a little worried that this performance couldn't live up to his epic HBO show. But, it turned out, I had nothing to worry about.

The show was fantastic. Eddie walked out on stage and the sold out crowd went ballistic. From the moment he spoke, I was in tears. He was hilarious. At the beginning of the show he explained that he was going to talk about the entire history of the universe, from the big bang to present day. His hisotry bits are great; it's what he is best at. But, very soon into the show, another theme started to show. He really likes making fun of religions and religious extremists. He explained that he didn't believe in God and preceded to explain why it was ridiculous to believe in a personal God (of course, he did this in a very amusing way). When he started on this rant, you could tell some of the people in the audience were getting uncomfortable. I think a lot of the religious folk couldn't take Izzard poking at them. And, we are in Ohio, so it shouldn't be suprising to find some who are too stuck up to find the humor in their religion. In fact, a few people actually left to show. I love it when people are pushed out of the safe zone and are forced to actually think about what they believe.

So, the show was about the history of the planet and its people and critiques of religion. All in all, I don't think he could have picked a better theme (for me especially). I was very impressed with his performance and would definitely go back to see him. This show seemed just as good (if not better) as the "Dressed to Kill" routine. It was a fantastic show!

Here's a small bit from his critique of religion so you don't think he was just being mean: (Here is a video clip with poor sound quality: here ) "What about the 10th commandment? Thou shalt not covet (ie. want) thy neighbor's ox. Are you serious? What's wrong with wanting an ox? I shouldn't covet my neighbor's ox? But, THIS IS THE ENTIRE BASES OF TRADE!?!? How are you going to have an ox market without coveting oxen?"

Movie Review: I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry

Summary: Adam Sandler and Kevin James play two guys who have to get married in order to bypass a weird insurance law.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Review: Okay, I was ready to hate this movie. I didn’t think the previews looked very good and I thought I had heard that it wasn’t very good. BUT, I found this movie to be really funny and it fit perfectly with Sadler’s other movies. Adam and Kevin had some great chemistry and worked well together. Most of Sandler’s crew were there doing there supporting actor thing, and it worked. There really isn’t much to say about this except that it is better than the title or previews lead you to believe. Good, solid, Adam Sandler movie.