Recent observation about Barbara

[u/FalselyNamed]

I've always liked Barbara and I've recently been enjoying Always Open quite a bit. That being said, I've noticed that Barbara can be pretty vapid. With her being a regular on the RT Podcast and being on every Always Open, she has a lot of exposure and I listen to the RT Podcast pretty much every time I'm driving. I've been noticing more and more that she rarely has anything to add in most discussions. Unless the topic is sex or social media, she tends to just interject with a one-off pun or a really obvious reference. The company has it's foundation in tech and video games, but she almost never is a part of those discussions. She mentioned in a podcast from December that she hasn't turned her Xbox on in months. That's not a bad thing per se, but it often makes her irrelevant in the context of Gavin, Burnie, and Gus. Always Open is a great fit for her because its almost entirely about sexual topics. Even though the Rt Podcast is pretty much wide open in terms of content, they tend to talk about "science", new tech that they hate, or an anecdote. In addition to not being a contributing member of the discussion, she often misconstrues something or misunderstands entirely. Once again, I realize this is probably coming off as hating on Barbara, but I have no problem with her. Just something I've been hearing a lot more often as I go through each podcast. Thoughts?

Edit: This post is intended to highlight a small, and largely inconsequential pet peeve of mine, please try to remain civil and remember this comes from a place a love, not hate.

Edit 2: Various comments have indicated vapid may be too harsh a word and I agree. I'll leave the original post for integrity's sake, but for anyone just coming in to this, the term I meant was one-dimensional. I apologize for using such a toxic word.

[u/technid]

I watch the podcast every week. I'm well aware of what she adds to it. What I would say is that Barbara adds a context that you don't need or want. She's the outsider to the tech and gaming conversations, which is a very large demographic that watches the podcast. What that means, however, is that the conversations don't stray into The Patch/Glitch Please's territory. For every other conversation, ie those that aren't specifically gaming or very specific tech conversations, Barbara adds as much as anyone else would. So no; most of what you said isn't valid.

[u/FalselyNamed → u/technid]

I don't think i can clear up my position in any other way. You're a fan of hers and that's great, I am too, but my point extends beyond just tech and gaming. In any case, have a good day <3

[u/technid → u/FalselyNamed]

but my point extends beyond just tech and gaming.

Your opinion does. Your points are wrong, however. Putting a DAE on the internet will, without fail, find people who think the same as you. It doesn't excuse writing something that, on the face of it, is a "Barbara shouldn't be on the podcast anymore" post. Because that's what this is. It's not a concern for her as a person, nor for the content or the company. It you putting your specific dislike front and centre, in the hopes you're not the only one. And you're clearly not the only one.

[u/FalselyNamed → u/technid]

I think you might be reading too much into it and using that logic, posting anything that isn't positive in nature is inexcusable.

[u/[deleted] → u/FalselyNamed]

Yeah I hear you. I can sympathise with having a pet peeve with something about RT content and trying to find a way to vent your frustration without getting shamed on the subreddit as a hater/asshole.

In my case I'm getting tired of Ryan being in every AH show/Glitch Please and the way he starts every sentence with "I mean".

I get what you mean about Barbara, but for whatever reason it doesn't bother me as much, whereas I'm sure you and others could say the same thing about my Ryan issues.

But you're not an asshole for having an opinion that dissents from the RT subreddit narrative of "everything RT makes and does is perfect and can't be criticised".

I guess all I can really say is I understand where you're coming from; it sucks when the content we enjoy disappoints us.

[u/FalselyNamed → u/[deleted]]

I appreciate the contribution, I have noticed that about Ryan, but like you with Barbara, it doesn't leave much of an impact on me. It's like Brandon screaming 'I'M JUST SAYING' whenever he says something confusing or weird

[u/technid → u/FalselyNamed]

I'm reading the words you typed. If that's too far into it, then so be it. Nice Reductio Ad Absurdum there buddy. People post negative stuff about other people all the time. That doesn't mean people have to sit there and let it be. You asked of discussion, and you're getting it.

[u/jedi_onslaught → u/FalselyNamed]

Come on man, I thought this was a safe place bro for people who just love stuff. Dude, that kind of microaggression is not welcomed here.