Mid-1900s science fiction writers really seemed to like just randomly saying stuff and having people believe them. This isn't as bad as "Pournelle's Iron Law",

Mid-1900s science fiction writers really seemed to like just randomly saying stuff and having people believe them. This isn't as bad as "Pournelle's Iron Law", but it's just as fact free, and I don't think it's good to believe fiction writers. Since then, we've moved on and now instead believe cynical standup comedians or late night TV hosts are the ones who know the truth about everything.