Ep 5. Second Hand Smoke / Baby Bullshit

In season 1, episode 5 of Penn and Teller Bullshit, titled "Second Hand Smoke / Baby Bullshit," the dynamic duo tackles two contentious issues.

In the first part of the episode, Penn and Teller take on the topic of second-hand smoke. They begin by acknowledging the widespread belief that second-hand smoke is harmful to one's health. However, they argue that the evidence supporting this claim is not as substantial as people may think. They point out that many studies on the topic are flawed and that there is no clear consensus among scientists. Moreover, they question the ability of anti-smoking groups to accurately convey the risks of second-hand smoke. Penn and Teller interview individuals who disagree with the claim that second-hand smoke is dangerous. These individuals include a scientist who argues that the data on second-hand smoke is inconclusive and a bar owner who claims that smoking bans have hurt his business. Overall, Penn and Teller provide a nuanced look at both sides of the debate and leave it up to viewers to decide what they believe.

The second part of the episode takes on the topic of "baby bullshit." Penn and Teller are referring to the numerous products marketed to new parents that claim to be essential for the health and wellbeing of babies but may not actually be necessary. They argue that these products are often marketed by fearmongering and that many parents waste their money on things they don't need. The duo examines many types of baby products, including crib bumpers, baby monitors, and infant formula. Through interviews with parents, they explore how and why parents buy these products. They also discuss the marketing tactics used by baby product companies, including the use of pseudo-science and false claims. Penn and Teller ultimately emphasize that the love and care a parent provides for their child is more important than any product they could buy.

Overall, this episode of Penn and Teller Bullshit encourages viewers to question commonly held beliefs about second-hand smoke and baby products. They present both sides of the issues and challenge viewers to think critically about what they believe to be true. The episode is a thought-provoking look at two current debates and serves as a reminder that sometimes things are not always as they seem.