Please dial down the fake confusion

[noclip]

I understand the need for the host to serve as a surrogate for the viewers who don't quite understand the topic by feigning less understanding than they really have, but the segment about compiling in Tekzilla 21 took this way too far. It felt like Patrick was going to ask where the any key was. The amount of "host dumb-down" in that segment would probably have been more appropriate for a general audience cable news network, not an online technology show (it would probably have even been too much for something like Call for Help or TechLive). All the previous Tekzilla shows were more or less fine in this respect, which is why episode 21's egregious host dumb-down prompted me to make this post. Please, don't go overboard on infomercial syndrome again.

[silentspyder]

I don't know anything about programming so it was all new to me. Dumb it down when you see fit.

[madmanmarco]

Well.... at least I do, and I'm pretty dumb.

[bubbazanetti]

Would someone who was already smart on compiling watch a show on the basics of compiling?

[slonkak]

I understand the need for the host to serve as a surrogate... blah blah blah

Look. The "host dumb down" is a great teaching aid. By assuming the role of someone who isn't privy to the magic of compiling, Pat took you through a layman's thought process. What does this do? Ok, but what about this? That makes sense now, but this still doesn't...

It's much easier for people to learn when they're walked through a humanistic thought process rather than just having loads of facts thrown at them.

Keep in mind that these shows aren't meant for the ubergeek who knows everything, they're meant for everyone interested in technology, whether you are a kernel coder or a facebook user.

I, for one, use this thought-process tactic when I teach my classes and it seems to help people grasp concepts better. Keep up the good work, Pat!