Comments on: Those fake “studies” http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/03/09/those-fake-studies/ by Jeff Jarvis Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:44:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: BuzzMachine » Blog Archive » In defense of bullshit http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/03/09/those-fake-studies/#comment-34732 BuzzMachine » Blog Archive » In defense of bullshit Wed, 29 Mar 2006 13:57:18 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/03/09/those-fake-studies/#comment-34732 [...] : Pulling back from the political absurd to the culturally sublime, it is also utterly ridiculous that the FCC contends it is enforcing community standards when it says that the nation as a whole finds bullshit to be among of the most offensive words in the language. Show me the man or woman — or, yes, child on a playground — who has not said “bullshit.” Show me one, and you will have found me a liar. Go to Google and you will find 30 million uses of bullshit. Bullshit is part of our language, part of our culture, part of our politics, part of our democracy. Those are not our community standards the FCC is enforcing. They are enforcing the fetish of the so-called Parents Television Council and their ilk. By stretching to make shit not merely indecent but now profane and by stretching again to include the s-word variants in that ruling — thus specifically encompassing bullshit — the FCC far overextended not only its dubious authority but also common sense. Gotcha again. [...] [...] : Pulling back from the political absurd to the culturally sublime, it is also utterly ridiculous that the FCC contends it is enforcing community standards when it says that the nation as a whole finds bullshit to be among of the most offensive words in the language. Show me the man or woman — or, yes, child on a playground — who has not said “bullshit.” Show me one, and you will have found me a liar. Go to Google and you will find 30 million uses of bullshit. Bullshit is part of our language, part of our culture, part of our politics, part of our democracy. Those are not our community standards the FCC is enforcing. They are enforcing the fetish of the so-called Parents Television Council and their ilk. By stretching to make shit not merely indecent but now profane and by stretching again to include the s-word variants in that ruling — thus specifically encompassing bullshit — the FCC far overextended not only its dubious authority but also common sense. Gotcha again. [...]

]]> By: The FCC: 1, 2, 3… at connecting*the*dots http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/03/09/those-fake-studies/#comment-34573 The FCC: 1, 2, 3… at connecting*the*dots Tue, 28 Mar 2006 16:08:48 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/03/09/those-fake-studies/#comment-34573 [...] Pulling back from the political absurd to the culturally sublime, it is also utterly ridiculous that the FCC contends it is enforcing community standards when it says that the nation as a whole finds bullshit to be among of the most offensive words in the language. Show me the man or woman — or, yes, child on a playground — who has not said “bullshit.” Show me one, and you will have found me a liar. Go to Google and you will find 30 million uses of bullshit. Bullshit is part of our language, part of our culture, part of our politics, part of our democracy. Those are not our community standards the FCC is enforcing. They are enforcing the fetish of the so-called Parents Television Council and their ilk. By stretching to make shit not merely indecent but now profane and by stretching again to include the s-word variants in that ruling — thus specifically encompassing bullshit — the FCC far overextended not only its dubious authority but also common sense. Gotcha again. [...] [...] Pulling back from the political absurd to the culturally sublime, it is also utterly ridiculous that the FCC contends it is enforcing community standards when it says that the nation as a whole finds bullshit to be among of the most offensive words in the language. Show me the man or woman — or, yes, child on a playground — who has not said “bullshit.” Show me one, and you will have found me a liar. Go to Google and you will find 30 million uses of bullshit. Bullshit is part of our language, part of our culture, part of our politics, part of our democracy. Those are not our community standards the FCC is enforcing. They are enforcing the fetish of the so-called Parents Television Council and their ilk. By stretching to make shit not merely indecent but now profane and by stretching again to include the s-word variants in that ruling — thus specifically encompassing bullshit — the FCC far overextended not only its dubious authority but also common sense. Gotcha again. [...]

]]> By: mike http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/03/09/those-fake-studies/#comment-31945 mike Sun, 12 Mar 2006 02:10:35 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/03/09/those-fake-studies/#comment-31945 MSM takes CSPI's bait -- hook, line and sinker -- every time ... MSM takes CSPI’s bait — hook, line and sinker — every time …

]]> By: laurence haughton http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/03/09/those-fake-studies/#comment-31865 laurence haughton Fri, 10 Mar 2006 17:51:17 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/03/09/those-fake-studies/#comment-31865 David2 You make a great point but I think "true believers" of every stripe use this tactic. Bush haters, tree huggers, Bush defenders, strip miners, it's just so common. David2
You make a great point but I think “true believers” of every stripe use this tactic. Bush haters, tree huggers, Bush defenders, strip miners, it’s just so common.

]]> By: kurotenshi http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/03/09/those-fake-studies/#comment-31791 kurotenshi Thu, 09 Mar 2006 23:50:49 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/03/09/those-fake-studies/#comment-31791 So it is the same group? Oh well, that figures...hehe. Thanks. So it is the same group? Oh well, that figures…hehe.
Thanks.

]]> By: David 2 http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/03/09/those-fake-studies/#comment-31785 David 2 Thu, 09 Mar 2006 22:35:07 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/03/09/those-fake-studies/#comment-31785 kurotenshi: if memory serves... that group happens to be the Parents Television Council. kurotenshi: if memory serves… that group happens to be the Parents Television Council.

]]> By: kurotenshi http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/03/09/those-fake-studies/#comment-31779 kurotenshi Thu, 09 Mar 2006 21:17:02 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/03/09/those-fake-studies/#comment-31779 This reminds me of all those calls received by the FCC regarding the super bowl half time costume malfunction...It seems that about 95% of the calls came from one of these groups, and not from the general public... This reminds me of all those calls received by the FCC regarding the super bowl half time costume malfunction…It seems that about 95% of the calls came from one of these groups, and not from the general public…

]]> By: patd95 http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/03/09/those-fake-studies/#comment-31774 patd95 Thu, 09 Mar 2006 19:38:11 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/03/09/those-fake-studies/#comment-31774 I am as conservative as a Sen Helms staffer and I think SB is great. Conceptually, it's brilliant. Brent and his bunch do a good job policing the airwaves. But come on fellas. This is as bad as the teacher in LA bemoaning the crimes against nature embedded in the latest Curious George movie. Get over yourselves and let the public decide! I am as conservative as a Sen Helms staffer and I think SB is great. Conceptually, it’s brilliant. Brent and his bunch do a good job policing the airwaves. But come on fellas. This is as bad as the teacher in LA bemoaning the crimes against nature embedded in the latest Curious George movie. Get over yourselves and let the public decide!

]]> By: Greg http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/03/09/those-fake-studies/#comment-31764 Greg Thu, 09 Mar 2006 15:46:23 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/03/09/those-fake-studies/#comment-31764 Gee, isn't Richard Huff a "reporter," Jeff? You tend to treat it as a dirty word. Gee, isn’t Richard Huff a “reporter,” Jeff? You tend to treat it as a dirty word.

]]> By: David 2 http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/03/09/those-fake-studies/#comment-31763 David 2 Thu, 09 Mar 2006 15:46:13 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/03/09/those-fake-studies/#comment-31763 This is standard operating procedure for moralists. They will come up with any kind of study or report, no matter how flawed it is, and will claim it to be gospel. The PTC is probably the biggest bunch of abusers on this because their leader not only runs the pro-censorship lobbying group, but he also runs the so-called "research organization" that comes up with the studies that gets used by the PTC and the government. Conflict of interest? You bet your ass it is! And the most dangerous part about it is not that the media will refuse to question or refute these studies or reports, but that THE GOVERNMENT will treat these things as gospel and <b>will actually USE them to write laws and regulations specifically to placate the moralists.</b> This blatant and fraudulent abuse of government power is one of the key reasons why moralism is threat to any free socity. (By the way, I have more on this over at my ongoing series called <a href="http://bellsouthpwp2.net/d/_/d_matthews2/moralism.htm" rel="nofollow">"Target: Moralism"</a>) This is standard operating procedure for moralists. They will come up with any kind of study or report, no matter how flawed it is, and will claim it to be gospel. The PTC is probably the biggest bunch of abusers on this because their leader not only runs the pro-censorship lobbying group, but he also runs the so-called “research organization” that comes up with the studies that gets used by the PTC and the government. Conflict of interest? You bet your ass it is!

And the most dangerous part about it is not that the media will refuse to question or refute these studies or reports, but that THE GOVERNMENT will treat these things as gospel and will actually USE them to write laws and regulations specifically to placate the moralists. This blatant and fraudulent abuse of government power is one of the key reasons why moralism is threat to any free socity.

(By the way, I have more on this over at my ongoing series called “Target: Moralism”)

]]> By: Hunter McDaniel http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/03/09/those-fake-studies/#comment-31762 Hunter McDaniel Thu, 09 Mar 2006 15:35:11 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/03/09/those-fake-studies/#comment-31762 Most think tanks have a "strong political stance", just as PTC does. And many of the think tanks were started as a counterweight to academic institutions with a "strong political stance". The solution is transparency, just as you say, plus a lot more due diligence investigation of the methodology behind such "studies", regardless of the source. Most think tanks have a “strong political stance”, just as PTC does. And many of the think tanks were started as a counterweight to academic institutions with a “strong political stance”.

The solution is transparency, just as you say, plus a lot more due diligence investigation of the methodology behind such “studies”, regardless of the source.

]]> By: Jersey Exile http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/03/09/those-fake-studies/#comment-31758 Jersey Exile Thu, 09 Mar 2006 15:01:04 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/03/09/those-fake-studies/#comment-31758 My wife and I have watched Spongebob Squarepants since its debut several years ago, and are delighted that our 3-year-old daughter now enjoys it as well. I've yet to encounter an episode which did *not* have a positive theme as its message -- from the importance of honesty to the value of hard work, even the virtue of being a good neighbor (how subversive is that?). Which just goes to show you that once again, the PTC is completely and totally full of [insert dolphin noises here]. My wife and I have watched Spongebob Squarepants since its debut several years ago, and are delighted that our 3-year-old daughter now enjoys it as well. I’ve yet to encounter an episode which did *not* have a positive theme as its message — from the importance of honesty to the value of hard work, even the virtue of being a good neighbor (how subversive is that?). Which just goes to show you that once again, the PTC is completely and totally full of [insert dolphin noises here].

]]> By: ruth http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/03/09/those-fake-studies/#comment-31746 ruth Thu, 09 Mar 2006 12:32:25 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/03/09/those-fake-studies/#comment-31746 Good point. I admit to being convinced that the Simpsons was evil and a bad influence, until I actually watched it. I discovered a lot of irreverence about sacred cows, and a loving and supportive family that exhibited much that I approved of. Thanks to my kids. The same goes for the 'War on Christmas' which my kids have dubbed the GWOX. It seems to be a big threat in the minds of those who raise funds by opposing it - and exists only there. There is a lot that is real to protect our kids from, it's a shame to manufacture threats that don't exist. Fighting a positive message diverts positive energies that could well be applied to real efforts, for real effects. Good point. I admit to being convinced that the Simpsons was evil and a bad influence, until I actually watched it. I discovered a lot of irreverence about sacred cows, and a loving and supportive family that exhibited much that I approved of. Thanks to my kids.

The same goes for the ‘War on Christmas’ which my kids have dubbed the GWOX. It seems to be a big threat in the minds of those who raise funds by opposing it - and exists only there.

There is a lot that is real to protect our kids from, it’s a shame to manufacture threats that don’t exist. Fighting a positive message diverts positive energies that could well be applied to real efforts, for real effects.

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