Stephen Colbert's Political Impact

[Creek]

"Democratic politicians receive a 40% increase in contributions in the 30 days after appearing on the comedy cable show The Colbert Report. In contrast, their Republican counterparts essentially gain nothing. These findings appear to validate anecdotal evidence regarding the political impact of the program, such as the assertions by host Stephen Colbert that appearing on his program provides candidates with a "Colbert bump" or a rise in support for their election campaigns." ... Link

After reading that that the program actually has political impact I was quite shocked. America is really controlled by entertainment media.

Good thing or bad thing?

[hrb5711]

At 8/13/08 03:10 PM, Creek wrote: Good thing or bad thing?

Good for those of us mature enough to understand his satire is not always true.

Bad for the 18-22 yr old crowd who worship him like a god and blindly follow whatever he says.

I find him and John Stewart very humorous, but I fear to many voters and getting only their information from them.....It's like my little sister told me, "the news agencies are so biased I just watch the Daily Show and Colbert Report." Trust me I had the most dumbfounded look on my face after I heard her say that.

[poxpower]

Inevitable thing.

[Gunter45]

At 8/13/08 03:39 PM, Franklin-Moore wrote: Better than being effected by the mainstream news. But that is inevitable too.

How is it better? Anything that takes the place of independent thought and research is inherently a bad thing.

[Jizzlebang]

At 8/13/08 04:51 PM, Gunter45 wrote:

At 8/13/08 03:39 PM, Franklin-Moore wrote: Better than being effected by the mainstream news. But that is inevitable too.

How is it better? Anything that takes the place of independent thought and research is inherently a bad thing.

It all comes back to the question of if anything can be objective,. Essentially, no. Everything is subjective and who ever is presenting the information has control over the bias of it. Something which people don't do enough is to watch news stations which don't conform to your own political views. ( I hate to say it, but this is was in a book that was on the Daily show.. ) People will often block out the other information, because they only like to hear what they.. well.. like to hear.

If you usually watch CNN, watch some Fox. If you usually watch Fox, watch some CNN. You don't have to agree with it, but how can you know it's any less true than what is on your station?

[ReciprocalAnalogy]

At 8/13/08 04:51 PM, Gunter45 wrote:

At 8/13/08 03:39 PM, Franklin-Moore wrote: Better than being effected by the mainstream news. But that is inevitable too.

How is it better? Anything that takes the place of independent thought and research is inherently a bad thing.

Both are bad sources for news. One is funny. So, if you thing funny is better than... lack of funny. One alternative is better than the other. Anyway...

Satire plays the devil's advocate. This is the primary appeal for the young adult demographic. And as with anything appealing, people will subscribe to it.

I say, if you know the source well, then the commentary (the discussion) is a necessity. On one scale... if you watch Fox, you should watch the Daily Show (and vice versa). If you read articles/reports, then you should watch the pundits.

Independence is cool and all that, but a single brain alone is inadequate for complicated abstracts (like politics/business/belief systems).

[Creek]

At 8/13/08 05:18 PM, ReciprocalAnalogy wrote: you should watch the pundits.

Is that the youtube guy? can you please link me to his account or videos. I used to like watching his stuff but I couldn't find his account, it used to be 'webpundit' but it was closed or locked during the time I checked.

[ReciprocalAnalogy]

At 8/13/08 05:28 PM, Creek wrote: Is that the youtube guy? can you please link me to his account or videos. I used to like watching his stuff but I couldn't find his account, it used to be 'webpundit' but it was closed or locked during the time I checked.

By pundit I mean... a person who makes comments or judgments, esp. in an authoritative manner; critic or commentator...

... basically anyone on tv you might call a reporter or expert.

[Creek]

oh i see okay.. I didn't know what that was thanks