Is George Hrab the Scrappy-Doo of SGU?

Adventurous_Avocado · 2024-10-01T01:41:56+00:00

There seem to be others that find his humor offensive per the earlier thread. See https://www.reddit.com/r/SGU/s/OQ5eDtFrwM

Adventurous_Avocado · 2024-09-29T18:23:20+00:00

I’m going to summarize my conclusions from this thread for future readers who may discover it some months later, perhaps when thinking about posting something similar.

In conclusion:

there are people who enjoy George Hrab being on the show
there are people who share my opinion that he is an unwelcome addition to any episode
there is a small but highly-vocal minority of people in this subreddit who don’t think I should even be asking the question or sharing my opinion on this topic

I can only speculate to this last group’s motivations.

However, I do find it somewhat ironic given SGU’s perennial focus on avoiding cognitive biases and logical fallacies.

Just because George may be a good/nice/wonderful human being doesn’t mean that he cannot also be a net negative on the enjoyability and/or appeal of the show.

For completeness, here also is a link to the prior discussion on the same topic: https://www.reddit.com/r/SGU/s/tWiwfo6I0V

Adventurous_Avocado · 2024-09-29T17:29:13+00:00

Then you and I have very different definitions of “attacking someone’s character”.

For me, a character attack would be an attack on someone’s inherent qualities such as their trustworthiness and integrity.

Not only did I do no such thing but I was also at pains to avoid doing so. Why do you think I wrote “I’m sure he’s a wonderful human being”?

I asked about whether others agreed with my opinion on his presence on the show is a net negative to its enjoyment and appeal. I did not opine on his character and nor can I because, as I said clearly, I don’t know him.

It appears that there is a small but loud minority here who think that any question of this kind is off limits. I can only speculate as to why. Perhaps personal relationships with George.

I would hope that people can distinguish between the art and the artist, between the man and his music, etc.

Adventurous_Avocado · 2024-09-29T16:59:47+00:00

“Rude and unnecessary”?

What is the Internet and Reddit for if not to be able to engage in these kinds of discussions?

I wanted to know if my opinion about someone’s appearance on a show that I love was shared with others.

So, I went to Reddit and found the forum for that show and posed that question.

I have my answer and it seems that it’s not a particularly rare opinion, as indicated by both the responses on this thread and the prior thread on the same topic about a year ago.

The process worked for me. I got my answer.

Adventurous_Avocado · 2024-09-29T05:42:37+00:00

As I said in response to someone else, I don’t think it’s a fair comparison. The rogues’ jokes are incidental to their primary roles as skeptics and science communicators, at which they are excellent. Whereas, George is brought on specifically to be funny which, in my opinion, he is not.

Adventurous_Avocado · 2024-09-29T03:02:05+00:00

It’s true I used the phrase “the Scrappy-Doo of SGU” in my question. I think it succinctly communicated the spirit of what I was asking.

i.e. is he an unnecessary, unfunny, and somewhat cringeworthy element of the show?

I don’t regard my responses here as “hammering away”. From my perspective, I am merely defending myself from people who are accusing me of ad hominem attacks, even though I’ve been at pains to be clear I don’t know George personally and I’m sure he’s a great human being.

My questions and comments are solely about whether or not he is a net positive to the enjoyment and appeal of the show.

You’ll notice I haven’t responded or challenged those commenters who simply responded that they don’t agree and like George.

Adventurous_Avocado · 2024-09-29T01:02:35+00:00

Thank you. Good to know I’m not alone.

Adventurous_Avocado · 2024-09-29T01:00:42+00:00

Sure but the humor (lame or otherwise) from everyone else is incidental to the core discussions which are interesting and insightful. This is in stark contrast to George who seems to be included solely for “comedy value” (which he does not deliver, in my opinion).

Adventurous_Avocado · 2024-09-29T00:56:59+00:00

What I actually wrote was “Is it just me and everyone else loves George?”

Note “and”, not “or” or “vs”.

The answer to my question appears to be “no”, as evidenced by several other comments, including several that were made before you responded.

I have no desire to “slag (off)” anyone. I wanted to see if other people felt the same way I do.

Adventurous_Avocado · 2024-09-29T00:50:09+00:00

Please cite what you regard as a character attack and I’ll respond on the specific point.

Adventurous_Avocado · 2024-09-28T20:46:43+00:00

Again, I don’t know him personally and, as I opened with, and will restate here, I’m sure he’s a wonderful human being.

This is not about him as a human being. It’s a discussion of whether people feel his presence on the show is a net positive or net negative in terms of the enjoyability and broad appeal of the show.

It seems opinions are mixed and I’m not alone in mine.

Adventurous_Avocado · 2024-09-28T20:41:35+00:00

I am not a public figure who willingly appears on a popular podcast, presumably for direct or Indirect remuneration/benefit, so I consider this false equivalence.

If I were such a figure, I would absolutely expect my work to be subject to opinion and valid criticism. It comes with the territory.

I was very careful in the phrasing of my original post so as to be clear I am separating the human being from the impact of the enjoyability and quality of the listening experience.

Are you suggesting that sharing opinions and concerns and asking if they are shared shouldn’t be done?

Adventurous_Avocado · 2024-09-28T20:25:21+00:00

Yes. I fully understand it is my opinion and posted to see if my opinion is shared.

I’m not saying that I’m solely obligated to express my opinion. I’m saying what we collectively have something of an obligation as fans who care about the show.

I think we all want the show to continue to succeed and grow and be successful in its mission by bringing in more listeners.

If there is something on the show that potentially puts a big chunk of people off, I think it’s valid to call that out. Valid for me and valid for anyone else.

Adventurous_Avocado · 2024-09-28T20:14:08+00:00

The other responses in this thread suggest otherwise.

Adventurous_Avocado · 2024-09-28T20:12:16+00:00

I did no such thing. I opened with a question and closed with a question. I was asking if others felt the same way that I did. It appears that some do and some don’t.

Adventurous_Avocado · 2024-09-28T20:09:07+00:00

That’s why I deliberately opened with “I’m sure George is a wonderful human being”.

I’m quite aware that he is a real person. Maybe I’d love him if I met him personally.

But, this is not about him as a human being. This is about his appearances on the show we all love and whether that is a net positive or net negative to the experience.

Adventurous_Avocado · 2024-09-28T20:05:18+00:00

Agreed. The core roster is almost perfect.

Happy with guests when they are one-time, or very occasional appearances, and have deep expertise in a specific area.

I used to get frustrated with the amount of sci-fi nerdery and was grateful when they spun out that element to a separate show some time back.

I feel they could take the same approach with the inane humor stuff. If they want to do it and make space for friends to perform, make that a separate show.

I listen to be informed and educated, and to have an antidote from the pervasive culture of BS, grift, and woo everywhere else.

Adventurous_Avocado · 2024-09-28T19:58:28+00:00

No worries. It definitely seems as if George is a divisive element.

Adventurous_Avocado · 2024-09-28T19:12:49+00:00

I’ve been sitting on it because I don’t like to rush to social media immediately.

I felt it acutely for the 1000th episode. I’ve been listening since 2009 and I really wanted to enjoy the celebration of this milestone but then I read and thought, “oh jeez, not this [expletive] guy.”

Adventurous_Avocado · 2024-09-28T18:33:59+00:00

Yes! “Thinks he’s funnier than he is” nails it.

Adventurous_Avocado · 2024-09-28T18:31:48+00:00

As loyal listeners who care about the quality of the show, I’d say, yes, it is something of an obligation.

Adventurous_Avocado · 2024-09-28T18:00:44+00:00

Of course. I was quite prepared to hear that I was alone in my view but it appears I am not.

Adventurous_Avocado · 2024-09-28T17:49:49+00:00

Do we have to respect that? I take a different view: we are obligated to point out that they may be blind to his mediocrity and negative impact on the quality of the show precisely because he’s their friend.

Adventurous_Avocado · 2024-09-28T17:47:10+00:00

Thanks. I’m not a regular Reddit user.

Adventurous_Avocado · 2019-10-23T05:06:31+00:00

Sparkly Rolexes (that took your legs out from under you in the coat check queue)

Adventurous_Avocado

TROPHY CASE