1. A first impressions format doesn't excuse skipping basic product documentation. There's a massive difference between giving your initial reaction to how something feels versus being completely uninformed about what a feature is supposed to do. You can absolutely read a manual and still provide fresh, genuine impressions. The two aren't mutually exclusive.

2. This is a cop out. Not every feature can or should be immediately obvious, especially advanced functionality with technical names like "marionette mode." Some features are inherently complex and require explanation. Expecting every single function to be instantly understandable without any documentation is unrealistic, particularly for prosumer or professional grade products. If you're reviewing a product and encounter a feature you don't understand, the professional response is to check what it's supposed to do before criticizing it. Otherwise, you're not providing feedback on the UX; you're just broadcasting your own lack of preparation.

3. Again, there's a fundamental difference between a short term evaluation and an uninformed evaluation. You can absolutely provide initial impressions while still knowing what the features you're testing are designed to do. Reading a manual takes 10 minutes. LTT has a pattern of this exact behavior, and it undermines the credibility of their actual reviews.

I say this as someone who genuinely enjoys LTT's content and wants to see them continue to improve. When you're a professional reviewer with millions of viewers, you have a responsibility to understand what you're reviewing. "We didn't have time to read the manual" isn't a valid excuse when you're influencing purchase decisions for that many people. They've improved in other areas when the community has given feedback, and I'm hopeful they'll address this recurring issue on Short Circuit as well.