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Anyone else find the Bill Nye: Fad Diet episode to be absolute garbage?
medic2038
Posts: 434 Member
So I've been checking out the new Bill Nye show on Netflix, I'm a nerd and absolutely love science shows.
Despite there being some things on other episodes that were patently false, I found the "expert panel" on fad diets to be the worst in the series.
While it's true many fad diets, and detoxing are pretty much nonsense... One of the experts (one of which was a comedian?!?) made the claim that weight is 70% determined by genetics. How can a so called expert have such a misunderstanding of 1) genetics, 2) physiology?
Genetics can certainly have an impact on your body, your genes aren't an absolute indicator of an outcome. Simply because someone has a predisposition to something, doesn't mean that is always going to happen (IE think of the Angelina Jolie breast cancer gene debate several years ago). It's much more complicated then "have gene X, must get condition X".
So any way she further goes on to talk about starvation mode, and makes the claim that our metabolisms magically violate thermodynamics (paraphrasing). Again they make the claim about what society finds to be attractive changes with time (and I agree with that), they make the jump to saying changing body composition is completely out of your control.
So her expert advice... eat "reasonably healthy" and exercise a "reasonable amount".
Anyone else find this particular panel/episode to be absolutely horrendous?
Despite there being some things on other episodes that were patently false, I found the "expert panel" on fad diets to be the worst in the series.
While it's true many fad diets, and detoxing are pretty much nonsense... One of the experts (one of which was a comedian?!?) made the claim that weight is 70% determined by genetics. How can a so called expert have such a misunderstanding of 1) genetics, 2) physiology?
Genetics can certainly have an impact on your body, your genes aren't an absolute indicator of an outcome. Simply because someone has a predisposition to something, doesn't mean that is always going to happen (IE think of the Angelina Jolie breast cancer gene debate several years ago). It's much more complicated then "have gene X, must get condition X".
So any way she further goes on to talk about starvation mode, and makes the claim that our metabolisms magically violate thermodynamics (paraphrasing). Again they make the claim about what society finds to be attractive changes with time (and I agree with that), they make the jump to saying changing body composition is completely out of your control.
So her expert advice... eat "reasonably healthy" and exercise a "reasonable amount".
Anyone else find this particular panel/episode to be absolutely horrendous?
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Replies
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I don't have Netflix, so can't comment on this specific show. I will say that I've heard from people in the medical, science, and kinesiology fields that talk about diet and weight loss like something from BuzzFeed or Huffington Post. I'm literally baffled that people working in scientific fields concerning the human body truly believe sugar makes you fat.1
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I saw that he had a show on Netflix, but have not watched any yet. Your not making me want to either
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They claim Dr. Oz is an expert too, seems like you have to take "expert" with a grain of salt when it comes to weight loss.
I don't have anything super useful to say though as I didn't see it.4 -
There's a reason why he's "Bill Nye the science guy" instead of "Bill Nye, the scientist". He does sciency stuff. 15
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He is catering to the "Fat Acceptance" movement. That's all it is.7
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One of the experts (one of which was a comedian?!?) made the claim that weight is 70% determined by genetics. How can a so called expert have such a misunderstanding of 1) genetics, 2) physiology?
Genetics can certainly have an impact on your body, your genes aren't an absolute indicator of an outcome. Simply because someone has a predisposition to something, doesn't mean that is always going to happen
I haven't watched the show, but it sounds like you and that expert agree. From what you've said, that expert didn't make the claim that people with a genetic predisposition will always get fat.There's a reason why he's "Bill Nye the science guy" instead of "Bill Nye, the scientist". He does sciency stuff.
Apparently Nye has been awarded several honorary doctorates of science and he also assisted with the development of a sundial that was used on the Mars Exploration Rover missions.7 -
Bill Nye is a mechanical engineer with pretenses to being a scientist... 'nough said.16
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Here's info on the sundial project, in case anyone is interested.NorthCascades wrote: »Apparently Nye has been awarded several honorary doctorates of science and he also assisted with the development of a sundial that was used on the Mars Exploration Rover missions.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1999/04/990422055433.htm
Based on who else contributed (four scientists, two space artists, and thousands of schoolchildren), it sounds like Nye's contributions were mainly publicity and educational. Probably a smart move on the team's part, because his participation brought a lot of name recognition to the project.
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This was the only episode I've seen, which I found to be so bad I've decided not to watch any more of this series.
While it's true many fad diets, and detoxing are pretty much nonsense... One of the experts (one of which was a comedian?!?) made the claim that weight is 70% determined by genetics. How can a so called expert have such a misunderstanding of 1) genetics, 2) physiology?
That expert talking about this was Traci Mann: http://www.secretsfromtheeatinglab.com/
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The same Traci Mann that claims that obesity is not necessarily unhealthy? Ok2 -
This was the only episode I've seen, which I found to be so bad I've decided not to watch any more of this series.
While it's true many fad diets, and detoxing are pretty much nonsense... One of the experts (one of which was a comedian?!?) made the claim that weight is 70% determined by genetics. How can a so called expert have such a misunderstanding of 1) genetics, 2) physiology?
That expert talking about this was Traci Mann: http://www.secretsfromtheeatinglab.com/
The other episodes weren't too bad, but I did find some of it really juvenile. It made me feel like I watching a kids show with adult themes. Like a science-based SouthPark.
The episode in question was certainly more cringe-worthy than the other episodes. Maybe I just know more about dieting than I do about the other topics.1 -
I avoid Bill Nye as much as possible. I long ago saw/read enough of him to have judged that his opinion is not one I would want to rely on.6
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This was the only episode I've seen, which I found to be so bad I've decided not to watch any more of this series.
While it's true many fad diets, and detoxing are pretty much nonsense... One of the experts (one of which was a comedian?!?) made the claim that weight is 70% determined by genetics. How can a so called expert have such a misunderstanding of 1) genetics, 2) physiology?
That expert talking about this was Traci Mann: http://www.secretsfromtheeatinglab.com/NorthCascades wrote: »One of the experts (one of which was a comedian?!?) made the claim that weight is 70% determined by genetics. How can a so called expert have such a misunderstanding of 1) genetics, 2) physiology?
Genetics can certainly have an impact on your body, your genes aren't an absolute indicator of an outcome. Simply because someone has a predisposition to something, doesn't mean that is always going to happen
I haven't watched the show, but it sounds like you and that expert agree. From what you've said, that expert didn't make the claim that people with a genetic predisposition will always get fat.There's a reason why he's "Bill Nye the science guy" instead of "Bill Nye, the scientist". He does sciency stuff.
Apparently Nye has been awarded several honorary doctorates of science and he also assisted with the development of a sundial that was used on the Mars Exploration Rover missions.
No she was making the claim basically that you're powerless to overcome your genetics, it was total garbage.
Veronika, After seeing that post I went and read the book reviews on amazon. Apparently she's exactly that person!0 -
I wholeheartedly agree with you. There are world renowned scientists who have done decades of research and published research papers in peer reviewed journals about nutrition (Dr. Colin Campbell, Dr. Steve Esselstyn & many more) but Billy Nye builds a panel of "experts" consisting of a comedian, a winner from the biggest loser & a psychiastrist? Excuse me, who decided any of these individuals should be the best choices to educate the public about health? The psychiatrist woman was the absolute worst of the panel, because she acted like she knows what she's talking about and could negatively influence people to think they can't improve themselves, and that upsets me the most! The comedian was just ignorant, which is not necessarily her fault, but she should absolutely not be on an expert panel. I did like the biggest loser winner though because she was able to push back on the psychiatrist's bull *kitten*. Bill Nye had an opportunity to address a major issue, but missed the mark completely & added confusion & fluff on top of it all.3
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Neil degrasse Tyson > Bill Nye4
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I like Bill Nye, but he's a science guy. I'll take my advice from actual scientists.3
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Ok, I'm watching it now and there are no doctors or scientists on the "panel of experts". I think the personal trainer had more valuable things to say then the comedian and the psychologist did.1
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twistedingenue wrote: »
Yes, he is an effective communicator, but that does not lend any value or credence to his personal opinions like every news outlet in existence wants to believe. I will take the words and efforts of any real scientist over his any day of the week.2 -
I love Bill Nye, but his series is super cringey.2
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denversillygoose wrote: »I love Bill Nye, but his series is super cringey.
This is the perfect way to describe it!0 -
He's a guy with a degree in engineering who can't make a living engineering. We call that a failure.7
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Bill nye is a condescending , his way or the highway , intolerent , self serving , *kitten* of the highest order .9
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Bill Nye is a very poor representative of science, he's entertaining for the kids but often get's important facts wrong and misrepresents the actual science, opting for being sensational.6
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Bill Nye is a very poor representative of science, he's entertaining for the kids but often get's important facts wrong and misrepresents the actual science, opting for being sensational.
I would agree with this. He's an actor with a degree in mechanical engineering. I applaud his efforts to get a whole generation of kids interested in science, but as a scientist - I find him lacking. He clearly does not spend much time debating issues with people who disagree with him.7 -
Families share similar eating patterns therefore its not uncommon for obese parents to have obese children. But I do believe genetics play a SMALL role. NOT 70%. I have friends that eat everything in front of them plus eat my left overs and don't gain an ounce, meanwhile the cake I glanced at appeared on my butt. But its up to me to take in account of my metabolism and to eat according to that. Genetics play a role in how easy it is to gain or lose weight but its up to us to eat/exercise to compensate for that. I think psychology plays a bigger role than genetics 2
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Genetics sets the parameters on what we can accomplish, but our behavior can push beyond those parameters. There is no genetic element to eating too much.5
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So I've been checking out the new Bill Nye show on Netflix, I'm a nerd and absolutely love science shows.
Despite there being some things on other episodes that were patently false, I found the "expert panel" on fad diets to be the worst in the series.
While it's true many fad diets, and detoxing are pretty much nonsense... One of the experts (one of which was a comedian?!?) made the claim that weight is 70% determined by genetics. How can a so called expert have such a misunderstanding of 1) genetics, 2) physiology?
Genetics can certainly have an impact on your body, your genes aren't an absolute indicator of an outcome. Simply because someone has a predisposition to something, doesn't mean that is always going to happen (IE think of the Angelina Jolie breast cancer gene debate several years ago). It's much more complicated then "have gene X, must get condition X".
So any way she further goes on to talk about starvation mode, and makes the claim that our metabolisms magically violate thermodynamics (paraphrasing). Again they make the claim about what society finds to be attractive changes with time (and I agree with that), they make the jump to saying changing body composition is completely out of your control.
So her expert advice... eat "reasonably healthy" and exercise a "reasonable amount".
Anyone else find this particular panel/episode to be absolutely horrendous?
I work in biotechnology, and all I have worked for are genetic testing Companies. Mainly the bigger named companies. I worked in the finance side the companies, but I always tried to keep informed of certain objectives and research projects.
Based on my experience most, if not all human traits, are 50-70% determined by genetics. The only reason why things haven't got pushed higher (to 80%+) is because we still don't have the computing power to decipher complex correlations involving billions of genes.
One thing I have noticed is that the public is very adverse to this information. Nobody wants to believe that most of our lives were determined at conception. Many of the discoveries aren't released to public because of this in my opinion.
People want to discount genetics because they want to emphasize so-called "free will", but even one's patience, determination and "grit" seem to be largely determined by genetics.
One day, in the next 10 years not 50 years, the science book on this subject is going to be shut closed. The ramifications of this on public policy and mainstream "common sense" are going to be significant.
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I watched Bill Nye's Sex Junk Song performed and choreographed by Rachel Bloom. I can't post the video link for it here due to MFP's indecency standards. But do Google Bill Nye's Sex Junk Song. I thought it was a joke, but apparently Bill was serious. I will watch future Bill Nye song-and-dance-numbers strictly for the entertainment value. Him and his friends are one wild and crazy bunch.
My husband made me watch this. My sex junk shriveled up and died.1 -
dudebro200 wrote: »So I've been checking out the new Bill Nye show on Netflix, I'm a nerd and absolutely love science shows.
Despite there being some things on other episodes that were patently false, I found the "expert panel" on fad diets to be the worst in the series.
While it's true many fad diets, and detoxing are pretty much nonsense... One of the experts (one of which was a comedian?!?) made the claim that weight is 70% determined by genetics. How can a so called expert have such a misunderstanding of 1) genetics, 2) physiology?
Genetics can certainly have an impact on your body, your genes aren't an absolute indicator of an outcome. Simply because someone has a predisposition to something, doesn't mean that is always going to happen (IE think of the Angelina Jolie breast cancer gene debate several years ago). It's much more complicated then "have gene X, must get condition X".
So any way she further goes on to talk about starvation mode, and makes the claim that our metabolisms magically violate thermodynamics (paraphrasing). Again they make the claim about what society finds to be attractive changes with time (and I agree with that), they make the jump to saying changing body composition is completely out of your control.
So her expert advice... eat "reasonably healthy" and exercise a "reasonable amount".
Anyone else find this particular panel/episode to be absolutely horrendous?
I work in biotechnology, and all I have worked for are genetic testing Companies. Mainly the bigger named companies. I worked in the finance side the companies, but I always tried to keep informed of certain objectives and research projects.
Based on my experience most, if not all human traits, are 50-70% determined by genetics. The only reason why things haven't got pushed higher (to 80%+) is because we still don't have the computing power to decipher complex correlations involving billions of genes.
One thing I have noticed is that the public is very adverse to this information. Nobody wants to believe that most of our lives were determined at conception. Many of the discoveries aren't released to public because of this in my opinion.
People want to discount genetics because they want to emphasize so-called "free will", but even one's patience, determination and "grit" seem to be largely determined by genetics.
One day, in the next 10 years not 50 years, the science book on this subject is going to be shut closed. The ramifications of this on public policy and mainstream "common sense" are going to be significant.
Genomes determine what a specific trait will be - eye color, height, etc. To extend this to behavioral predictions is pure conjecture without foundation.2
This discussion has been closed.
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