Judge John Hodgman: TL;DNR

January 3, 2015 10:37 AM

A man suggested that his friend read a very long series of fantasy novels, but isn't satisfied with the pace of her reading.

A short episode today, focusing more on the dispute. The in-chambers segment was just promotion with no docket-clearing.

Show notes at maximunfun.org: Judge John Hodgman Episode 191: TL;DNR

posted by jazon (5 comments total)

I found this really weird in comparison to Pizza Parley (the previous episode), especially when Judge Hodgman went into detail about what a contract was and was not. Katie's offer to read Andy's favourite series was just a nice offer, but Meredith's pizza toppings were a contract?

Fake Internet judging is inconsistent.

I thought Bailiff Jesse's Joseph Campbell joke was superb.
posted by minsies at 11:54 AM on January 3, 2015

Yeah, I liked this show and this judgment, but did find the Judge went deep into contracts when last week he kind of glossed over it. I thought last week's decision was a tad cruel, but this one was fine.

I suspect the inconsistency is due to Hodgman having direct experience with trying to get his family to like the same things has him, he has some jokes about introducing his kids to things he liked and them refusing, and how tough it is. When Hodgman has direct experience with any disagreement, it definitely informs his decisions and I think decisions go over better overall.
posted by mathowie at 4:20 PM on January 3, 2015 [1 favorite]

Judge Hodgman went into detail about what a contract was and was not. Katie's offer to read Andy's favourite series was just a nice offer, but Meredith's pizza toppings were a contract?

Yeah, because a contract has consideration. Meredith gave up pizza choice in return for her brother winning a game. However, in this episode, it was just a nice gesture. Andy wasn't giving anything in return; it was entirely one-sided, rather than an agreement.

I don't see any inconsistency.
posted by spaltavian at 5:53 AM on January 5, 2015 [1 favorite]

The inconsistency I saw was the discussion of contracts happening in a episode that wasn't about a contract (no matter how Andy referred to it), instead of in the episode that explicitly dealt with a contract.

*shrug*
posted by minsies at 12:12 PM on January 5, 2015

In my direct experience with being a speed reader, getting grumpy at everyone else because they don't read like you is useless.
posted by jenfullmoon at 7:50 PM on January 6, 2015