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32 Thoughts to “Nazi Analogies…Jon Stewart spies on Moonhowlings discussions?”
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Nazi Analogies…Jon Stewart spies on Moonhowlings discussions?
Jon Stewart has dozens of people working for him who are paid to search news footage over the past decade to find something they can use to mock anyone who dares cross them. Picking a fight with Jon Stewart is a no-win situation.
Maybe the new mark of fame is being called a Nazi?
Seriously, though. When people are so outraged at behavior they believe is hurtful and dangerous to a large group of “others,” they almost automatically jump to one of the worst and best known horrors in history and begin to see similarities because they are frightened by current events that mimic history. The fact is, there were so many crimes perpetrated by the Nazis that it’s easy to pick out a few out and view them as logical comparisons. We see this all the time when people say our nation is in a second Civil War. (Interestingly, though, when people compare the current political climate to that of the Civil War, you don’t see as many other people having a cow about it.)
That said, the media isn’t necessarily morally outraged. They want to MAKE people outraged, which is the difference. And yes, that IS propaganda. It’s coming from both the left and the right. It’s interesting to me that they are creating propaganda by calling something else propaganda. So the propaganda is twice removed yet still effective. Weird.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin's_law
Wasn’t able to get anything about Godwin’s law from that link. Can you paraphrase, Cato?
Egads, dunno why that link didn’t work.
As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches 1. Godwin put forth the hyperbolic observation that, given enough time, in any online discussion—regardless of topic or scope— someone inevitably criticizes some point made in the discussion by comparing it to beliefs held by Hitler and the Nazis.
@Cato the Elder
That’s pretty amazing when you think about other atrocities that have been committed (not to undermine the Holocaust AT ALL).
MH has consistently brought up Stalin’s genocide. Many compare wars to the Crusades. Others call everything terrorism and pin it on Muslims. Interesting that the most popular comparison has become the Jewish Holocaust. Is that a contemporary development?
Meh, I think it’s just because using Stalin or the Crusades as comparisons requires a higher level of sophistication. Ask a random college freshman who Pol Pot was and you’ll most likely receive a shrug of the shoulders accompanied by a “huh?”
On the other hand, everyone is familiar with the Holocaust. It’s just a matter of playing to the lowest common denominator.
@Cato the Elder
“It’s just a matter of playing to the lowest common denominator.”
I know why you would say that. In the media, you do want to reach as large of an audience as possible, so using an example most people know makes communication sense. I think the rule is you want to make media so the average 6th grader can understand it. You don’t want to talk over the heads of your audience. Addressing your audience’s needs is a basic tenet of all writing.
@Posting as Pinko
Perhaps that was a poor choice of words. I was having flashbacks of a conversation I was having earlier this morning with a friend lamenting about the disturbing trend in American media of oversimplification.
@Cato the Elder
Cato, #9 was a little too complex for me. Can you dumb it down for me – small words would be appreciated. 🙂
@marinm
Clearly you are above average, Marin. 🙂
Average newspaper is geared to an 8th grade reading level – that’s what I was always taught.
Sixth grade. Where you been?
Cindy is right that most sources say 8th. However, I am seeing a range, between 12th grade and 3rd grade level. I think it depends on where the paper is published and whether it’s a national, international, regional or local paper.
Apparently, the level is also determined by what scoring test is used to determine readability.
A friend of mine that used to work at USA Today said they went for the 3rd-5th grade range. Obviously other papers are different. But I’ve heard the same as Cindy – most shoot for 8th grade level.
Yesterday Jon Stewart was appointed to the 9/11 board of directors.
The one thing about Jon Stewart, regardless of his role as satirist, he is respected by many different people.
I like my newspapers to be like one giant Weekly Reader. Life is good.
When trying to digest large amounts of ‘news,’ simple is often better.
When wanting more challenge, smart people know where to go.
The Fry readability formula is one of the best know, more reliable tests of readability.
http://www.readabilityformulas.com/fry-graph-readability-formula.php
And now, back to Jon Stewart, who graduated from William and Mary. He probably reads above 8th grade level most of the time.
@Moon-howler
Except when he has to read other stuff to keep up on politics.
I know an expert on all the newspapers who might be able to resolve the grade level question …
Katie Couric: And when it comes to establishing your worldview, I was curious: what newspapers and magazines did you regularly read before you were tapped for this to stay informed and to understand the world?
Sarah Palin: I’ve read most of them, again with a great appreciation for the press, for the media.
Couric: But, like, what ones specifically? I’m curious.
Palin: All of ’em, any of ’em that have been in front of me over all these years.
Couric: Can you name a few?
Palin: I have a vast variety of sources where we get our news too. Alaska isn’t a foreign country, where, it’s kind of suggested and it seems like, ‘Wow, how could you keep in touch with what the rest of Washington, D.C. may be thinking and doing when you live up there in Alaska?’ Believe me, Alaska is like a microcosm of America.
I’m signing up with ACORN today so I can vote for her 6x if she runs.
Marin — I concur. I’d vote for her 6x too … in the primary. :-> (I don’t know how to add emotocons, so I had to do it old school).
Can we count on you for a donation as well? 😉
marin, do you have a man-crush on the lady? It can’t be her politics. She has never said anything of substance.
@Moon-howler
Since you asked….. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdmYAYBgDIo
Cato, you beat me to the punch. 🙂
TNT was VERY quick to issue an apology.
Mama Grizzly? More like Mama Cougar.. 😈
@Cato, gross!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #27
@ #29 too funny!!!
Did someone say Mama Grizzly? My “Bear Intuition” just made the hair on my neck stand up.
Please vote for Palin in your Primary (I would if I could) but in NY registered Democrats aren’t allowed to vote in your primaries. I would love to watch a Obama/Palin debate!
@Bear
ewwwwwww