[dclowd9901]

We’re not talking about the same thing here. Lots of kids shows don’t even try to make sense or have a cogent story. So not only are they insulting the intelligence of their audience, they’re also refusing to enrich their critical thinking skills at all. That’s the _other_ kind of kids show out there right now.

[hdhfjkrkrme]

Are cartoon physics insulting kids intelligence?

Tom coming back 1 second after being blown up with dynamite makes sense?

Maybe these kinds of cartoons are bad according to you.

There it research that kids are more interested in stuff which is surprising (fixation period, ...) because that builds a model of how the world works, not the easily predicted stuff.

[eesmith]

> Are cartoon physics insulting kids intelligence?

dclowd9901 already said the issue is when it's "just lazy storytelling". Pixar shows you can tell great stories with cartoon physics.

You don't eat only sugar. You don't eat only carbs. You don't eat only protein. Your body needs a mix.

Many people want their kids to have a healthy diet. Saying Nutella is a "sometimes food" is not the same as saying Nutella is "bad", or that it's a "never food."

Tom & Jerry is a sometimes food. Other shows exercise a different range of critical skills.

I was gobsmaked when I saw a clip from Mr. Rogers where Daniel Striped Tiger asks Lady Aber­lin "What does assas­si­na­tion mean?", in a special episode created after the assassination of RFK. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQv0ZtpRdNk And Mr. Rogers could tackle racism head-on, like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4recJ6qXyk in an era when blacks were prohibited or physically attacked for trying to go to "white" pools.

Bluey could take on these sorts of topics for kids, in an age appropriate way. Tom&Jerry could not.

Nor could Blippi, so it's not just cartoon physics that's the issue.

But Mr. Rogers couldn't pull off the classic "coyote paints a picture in a wall, Road Runner enters the picture and speeds off into the distance, coyote tries and crashes into the wall" gag, nor should it. I don't think it's a good idea for kids to only watch Mr. Rogers-type shows either.

> kids are more interested in stuff which is surprising

Strange then that kids' cartoons are often so formulaic.

"The Animal Mechanicals are sent to a new floating island to resolve a problem. The team comes up with a plan, and each team member gets to use their special abilities to help out. There are problems along the way, but they are resolved and everyone is happy at the end."

"Something goes wrong. The Paw Patrol are called to help. Ryder comes up with a plan, the pups use their special abilities to help out. There are problems along the way, but they are resolved and everyone is happy at the end. Except for Mayor Humdinger."

[dclowd9901]

Yep, exactly. And I should mention the show _does_ take some liberties with the plot vis a vis skimming over a lot of the setup of the stories. Try to imagine the amount of time the kids and adults would have to take to set up certain activities they do that we never see. I can scarcely imagine my daughters having the patience to go through with that much setup before actually getting to play.

But it’s all in service of telling a fun, unique story, so it gets a pass.