# 30 Days (Morgan Spurlock series on FX) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 10, 2006, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-days-morgan-spurlock-series-on-fx/368115 "2006-08-10T03:54:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-days-morgan-spurlock-series-on-fx/368115/1 "2006-08-10T03:54:46Z")
Not sure who else is watching this, but it’s been pretty good so far, and unlike most of the summer fare, I don’t sense that my brain is decaying as I watch. Today’s episode had an atheist woman from Lawrence, KS (really!) spending a month with a Christian family in suburban Dallas. The Christian husband was a little… well, actually, he was quite judgmental. His tactic of “discussing” belief basically consisted of refusing to answer questions and suggesting if the country was too Christian for one’s liking, leave. Later the atheist mom had her family visit, which helped the Christian family essentially understand that the families lived very similarly day-to-day. I’m glad they picked non-wackos from both sides… then again, they probably wouldn’t have agreed to the show if they were… ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-days-morgan-spurlock-series-on-fx/368115/2 "2006-08-10T04:28:04Z")
I caught parts of this while I was doing something else. I like Morgan’s factoids and statistics. They lessen the guilt of watching a reality show. Hey, it’s educational! 🙂 I might have missed it, but did the atheist woman have an answer to the Christian family’s question about where her sense of morals and values comes from, since she doesn’t believe in the Bible? ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-days-morgan-spurlock-series-on-fx/368115/3 "2006-08-10T05:31:21Z")
I haven’t seen the Christian/atheist one, but I recently downloaded the “Immigration” and “Outsourcing” episodes. I really enjoyed the outsourcing episode, as the American guy had a sardonic attitude and really seemed to be connecting with some of the members of his host family, especially the young wife who pissed off her husband by insisting on getting a call center job of her own. The immigration ep seemed kinda false to me, can’t really put my finger on it… Too pat, or something. I love the show, I figure it’s only “reality tv” by the narrowest definition of the term, as there’s no attempt to sensationalize or to pander to the LCD viewing audience–every episode makes you think at least a bit. ---
**Author:** ![MizGrand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cdc98d/32.png) [@MizGrand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MizGrand)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-days-morgan-spurlock-series-on-fx/368115/4 "2006-08-10T13:08:38Z")
I’m a bit ashamed to say that I let out a “haw-haw” during the Immigrant episode when the girl got shot down by Princeton. And how, exactly, was she gonna _attend_ Princeton? A hundred-thousand dollar education? Yes, I know, shame, shame on me. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-days-morgan-spurlock-series-on-fx/368115/5 "2006-08-10T13:49:59Z")
> [@RSSchen](#): > > I’m a bit ashamed to say that I let out a “haw-haw” during the Immigrant episode when the girl got shot down by Princeton. And how, exactly, was she gonna _attend_ Princeton? A hundred-thousand dollar education? > > Yes, I know, shame, shame on me. I was thinking close to the same thing. Wasn’t the teenage daughter also an “illegal” immigrant? Or was she born in the states? Does Princeton admit applicants who are illegal immigrants? ---
**Author:** ![MizGrand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cdc98d/32.png) [@MizGrand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MizGrand)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-days-morgan-spurlock-series-on-fx/368115/6 "2006-08-10T15:40:52Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > I was thinking close to the same thing. Wasn’t the teenage daughter also an “illegal” immigrant? Or was she born in the states? > Does Princeton admit applicants who are illegal immigrants? IIRC, she was undocumented as well. I don’t know what Princeton’s acceptance policy requires. I’d assume not, but you know what that’s worth. She got accepted, though, at a school I could, with a REALLY good arm (like 40 miles) hit with a rock (Santa Clara). How that school was up there at the top of her aspirations is beyond me. I’m unaware of a fabulous rep for that school. If she’s undocumented, does she get grants and scholarships? I really don’t know how that all works. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-days-morgan-spurlock-series-on-fx/368115/7 "2006-08-10T16:12:10Z")
Yeah, the college thing was weird–“yes, I’m applying at two colleges, Ivy League bazillion dollar tuition Princeton and (I’m assuming) UC Santa Clara.” WTF? There are about a dozen colleges right there in LA that would be more logical choices, seems to me. Maybe she’s shooting for an athletic scholarship playing golf… :rolleyes: As an illegal she’s going to be lucky to pay full price tuition at a juco, I don’t think they’re handing out Fulbright scholarships to undocumented aliens. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-days-morgan-spurlock-series-on-fx/368115/8 "2006-08-10T16:48:39Z")
What’s funny about applying to Princeton? Princeton, like many of the Ivies, has a [no-loan policy](http://www.princeton.edu/pr/news/01/q1/0127-aid.htm) for low-income students. I think she would qualify. Furthermore, how is it _her_ fault that she’s in the US illegally? Her parents brought her over at a young age. Was she supposed to tell them to leave her behind? It sounds as if she’s done exactly what we’d hope she would do - work hard in school and become a productive member of society. I can understand people taking issue with her parents, but that’s got nothing to do with the children. Furthermore, I’m pretty sure she applied to and was accepted at [Santa Clara University](http://www.scu.edu/) - there is no UC Santa Clara. Although undocumented students pay in-state tuition in California, it’s a relatively new law (most states require these students to pay out-of-state tuition rates). Furthermore, enrolling in a state school is a daunting prospect - most of these kids’ families are trying their best to _not_ draw attention to themselves out of fear of deportation (see [this article](http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,186876,00.html)). Private institutions probably have little interest in immigration status, which explains why she applied to at least two private schools. Private schools might also provide scholarships and financial aid external to the federal programs, which she likely wouldn’t qualify for. From all indications she was a star student at her high school - and private institutions are comparing her to other students from similar backgrounds, not kids from day schools. I’d imagine with her grades and athletics - considering the quality of high school she attended - she would be an attractive candidate for a lot of schools. What’s weird about that? ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-days-morgan-spurlock-series-on-fx/368115/9 "2006-08-10T17:22:23Z")
> [@Hippy Hollow](#): > > The Christian husband was a little… well, actually, he was quite judgmental. His tactic of “discussing” belief basically consisted of refusing to answer questions and suggesting if the country was too Christian for one’s liking, leave. You mean like … GUY: What if our money said “There is no God” on it instead of “One Nation Under God”? HUSBAND: It doesn’t. GUY: But what would you think if it did? HUSBAND: But it doesn’t. It says “One Nation Under God.” GUY: I know it says that now. This is hypothetical. How would it make you feel if it did say that? HUSBAND: But it doesn’t. GUY: :smack: ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-days-morgan-spurlock-series-on-fx/368115/10 "2006-08-10T17:33:51Z")
> [@](#): > > Today’s episode had an atheist woman from Lawrence, KS (really!) Why is this shocking? ---
**Author:** ![FlightlessBird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/cdc98d/32.png) [@FlightlessBird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlightlessBird)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-days-morgan-spurlock-series-on-fx/368115/11 "2006-08-10T17:35:49Z")
This was a mellow episode. Everyone was so nice. Personally I think it was so boring, they had Morgan go do Christian things and then finally they were like, ok, send her the family, let’s see if the children can cause some ruckus. but still no, the Kansasians and Texans were very nice people. Still I was waiting for the conclusion; We believe the same thing, but in different ways. Which I guess **is** what was said by the Christian wife at the last meeting. I was also waiting for the Athiest wife to describe some natural laws to the Christians. (golden rule, do the right things, etc.) And have them respond with, “That sounds like what Christ preached” and have her finish with, “uh… yeah!” (Sorry, just watching my own little 30 Days in my head) ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-days-morgan-spurlock-series-on-fx/368115/12 "2006-08-10T18:09:23Z")
> [@FilmGeek](#): > > Why is this shocking? Because of [this](http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2005/05/06/echoes_of_scopes_trial_heard_in_intelligent_design_hearing/) . (Basically, the Kansas Board of Education recently held hearings and decided to teach doubts about Darwinism in science courses. If you’re an evolutionist, Kansas represents the most far-reaching invasion of religion into the educational curriculum in the US.) Of course, Lawrence is a liberal town (home of the University of Kansas) so it’s not so odd that one would find an atheist there. ---
**Author:** ![MizGrand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cdc98d/32.png) [@MizGrand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MizGrand)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-days-morgan-spurlock-series-on-fx/368115/13 "2006-08-10T18:13:35Z")
Great response, **Hippy**. I’ll admit to lots of ignorance with regard to the situations of undocumented, um, guests. I did note that she excelled in golf, which _is_ a bit chi-chi. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Good for her. I do think, though, that undocumented people should not get the “in-state” discount towards tuitions. They’re not _really_ in-state, if the state is unaware of their existence. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-days-morgan-spurlock-series-on-fx/368115/14 "2006-08-10T19:59:57Z")
I’ve only see the illegal immigration (premiere) episode so far, but I enjoyed it. But then, I’ve liked most of the _30 Days_ episodes from last season, and the lineup this time around seems just as strong. > [@Hippie Hollow](#): > > The Christian husband was a little… well, actually, he was quite judgmental. His tactic of “discussing” belief basically consisted of refusing to answer questions and suggesting if the country was too Christian for one’s liking, leave. > [@Hippie Hollow](#): > > I’m glad they picked non-wackos from both sides… Am I the only person who found this juxtaposition amusing? 🙂 Then again, I’m one of those atheists who think “fundamentalist wacko” is redundant… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-days-morgan-spurlock-series-on-fx/368115/15 "2006-08-10T20:55:33Z")
> [@Hippy Hollow](#): > > Because of [this](http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2005/05/06/echoes_of_scopes_trial_heard_in_intelligent_design_hearing/) . > > (Basically, the Kansas Board of Education recently held hearings and decided to teach doubts about Darwinism in science courses. If you’re an evolutionist, Kansas represents the most far-reaching invasion of religion into the educational curriculum in the US.) Of course, Lawrence is a liberal town (home of the University of Kansas) so it’s not so odd that one would find an atheist there. It’s not odd to find atheists in numerous places in Kansas, regardless of the presence of a university. It’s true that your chances of meeting an atheist improve considerably when you enter the larger cities (as opposed to the small towns–especially the ones out West), but Kansas has its fair share, and such rarity in smaller towns is not unsual for any state. As for that regrettable actions on the part of the school board _last_ year, that soon will be rectified. Thanks to Kansas voters in the primaries this year, evolution-supporters will soon outnumber the anti-evolutionists, 6-4. The curriculum will be revised, again (as it was a few years back when, basically, the same thing happened), and Kansas science teachers will no longer have to ignore that particular guideline. (I think you’ll find very few science teachers in Kansas who taught that anti-evolutionary drivel.) Now, as for the show… it doesn’t interest me, but I did catch a blurb for last night’s episode and I meant to watch it; however, the more sleep beckoned me, the easier it was to forget. Sleep won, and I forgot to set the VCR.