Behind the Scenes at the BBFC (Bonus Episode)

Behind the Scenes at the BBFC (Bonus Episode)

Author: Jim & Mark June 1, 2021 Duration: 1:47:00

Happy Birthday Fallacious Trump! This is the third of our birthday presents to you - Jim's Skeptics in the Pub talk about his work at the BBFC.


Streamed live on 25th March 2021


For over a hundred years, a small, secretive group of people in Soho have decided what you can see in UK cinemas and, more recently, on video and DVD. Who are they, how do they make their decisions, and why was Monty Python's Life of Brian banned in Torquay until 2008? Jim Cliff explains the origins and methods of the Board, and offers insights into his time as an examiner, the shift from censorship to classification, and how a cut he requested in 'Lilo & Stitch' led to an offshoot of the Pizzagate conspiracy theory almost 20 years later.


Jim Cliff was a BBFC Examiner from 2001 to 2009, during which time he classified over 7000 films, videos and video games. He is now a freelance video producer and host of the Fallacious Trump podcast.


About Skeptics in the Pub - Online

We are a coalition of UK-based Skeptics groups. Formed as the Covid-19 epidemic brought our country to a standstill, we are working to deliver high-quality online events focusing on science, reason, and critical thinking.



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Ever find yourself in a conversation where something just sounds off, but you can't quite pinpoint the flawed reasoning? That's the territory Fallacious Trump explores, though it stretches far beyond a single figure. Hosts Jim & Mark have built this podcast around a simple, potent premise: using glaring public examples, primarily from Donald Trump's rhetoric but also pulled from UK politics and everyday pop culture, to dissect the formal logical fallacies that shape so much of our discourse. Each episode isolates one specific fallacy-like ad hominem attacks, false dilemmas, or appeals to emotion-and breaks down how it works. You'll hear the actual clips and statements, followed by a clear explanation of why the logic fails. It’s not just about identifying these tricks in others; the discussion always turns toward practical self-defense. Jim & Mark dig into the psychology of why these fallacies can be so persuasive, offer advice on how to avoid using them yourself in heated debates, and suggest effective strategies for countering them when they’re deployed against you. This makes the show a unique blend of current events, philosophical logic, and social commentary, delivered with a mix of exasperation and wit. For anyone looking to sharpen their critical thinking and navigate today’s chaotic news and culture landscape with a more discerning ear, this podcast provides an engaging, often darkly humorous toolkit.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 220

Fallacious Trump
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