Comments on: Chicken, meet egg

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 14:49:37 +0000

I’m sure Stewart would have been against invading Poland and the construction of the Bergen-Belsen and Dachau work camps. Traitor. People like him are against the Fatherland/Homeland and are a detriment to the advancement of rich whites. All I can say is “No”. Just say it with me.

By: Mike from NYC

Mike from NYC — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 13:52:07 +0000

I rarely watch Jon Stewart but I’m a cynic of politics nonetheless. I think any sencient person who reads about politics would be just as cynical as me. And age hasn’t helped the matter at all.

Since I became aware of (in the 60s) , and read about politics and our nation, I have come to the conclusion, as sooo many others have, that politicians today are basically useless and rather than to pass laws in the ‘interest’ of the USA, they pass laws in the interest of their political party and of course, for their re-election.

I favor term limits and the dismantling of the electorial college.

By: robhyndman.com » Blog Archive » There is Only So Much Cynicism to Go Around

Mon, 26 Jun 2006 07:31:49 +0000

[...] Jeff Jarvis begins by wondering whether the Daily Show is keeping youth cynical about democracy, and ends wondering whether the msm should be keeping readers cynical about media. Related Posts [...]

By: Hammer of Truth » Jon Stewart, Enemy of Republicrats

Hammer of Truth » Jon Stewart, Enemy of Republicrats — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 04:06:14 +0000

[...] Update: Jeff Jarvis also takes issue with the conclusion: Oh, come on. Cynicism about politics is not Stewartâ€™s fault. Itâ€™s politicsâ€™ fault. Letâ€™s get our cause and effect straight, Profs. [...]

By: kurotenshi

kurotenshi — Sun, 25 Jun 2006 20:00:27 +0000

One has to have some knowledge of politics if one is to even understand half of the jokes on TDS. This is why the show is so popular. The tongue-in-cheek comments made by Stewart et al. are brilliant, not solely because of their cynicism, but because they point directly to the inadequacies of a government/MSM that thinks we arent paying attention. And furthermore…I have yet to meet any “kids” that watch TDS, although these so called kids would/should thank the critics for the youthful characterization.

By: Jim Wilson

Jim Wilson — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 21:51:18 +0000

Hey! It’s not just “the young” who watch Jon Stewart and who happen to be skeptical (the word I prefer). I and my 60-something friends watch it regularly, because we find that it reflects, not causes, our disgust with the current political process. I’d guess that that attitude crosses all the demographic groups who watch the show.

It certainly beats watching Katie Couric read the latest White House spin.

By: Mark Jaquith

Mark Jaquith — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 12:12:23 +0000

From the PDF:

Overall, the findings in Table 8 show that for young people, no other news source drives cynicism toward the candidates and the political system more than The Daily Show.

That’s one hell of an endorsement for the show, if you ask me. Cynicism (stemming from a lack of trust) of politicians and the political system is a positive reaction, in that it indicates a concerned and informed mind and that it protects against the trampling of rights brought about by complacency.

Cynicism is a (classical) Liberal value, and one that isn’t embraced enough. Just look at what percentage of voters vote for Republicans or Democrats as opposed to those who vote for alternative parties. Where’s the cynicism? A vote for the status quo is an admission that you’re so complacent you can’t taste the shit you’re being fed, or that you simply don’t care.

A complacent voter says the glass is half full. A cynical voter says the glass is half full of poison.

By: Billy

Billy — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 07:11:04 +0000

How can that be possible that Jon Stewart is causing cynicism in politics among the young.

Do we young folks don’t have any brains and don’t we know what are we following!

Uuh! these hyppcrates leaders they have made a politics a dirty game!!

By: kim

kim — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 02:09:42 +0000

I wonder what Republican paid for this study. I was so glad to to see Jon Stewarts co host do his speech at the White House Correspondants dinner. I have no doubt the man is going to cut everything down and around this show.

By: Darby Shaw

Darby Shaw — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 01:45:09 +0000

These so called experts think this is a new phenomenon? I listen to oldtime radio on my XM and Red Skelton of all people rips the pols of the time new ones. Not to mention Bob Hope and a few others. What a waste of grant money.

By: Lindsey

Lindsey — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 01:03:00 +0000

Ugh, when I saw this column I nearly shat a brick. Thanks for your spot-on assessment, Jeff. To think that our cynicism is caused by something other than the ridiculous state of politics and our hypocritical “leaders” is to be seriously, sadly misguided.

The irony is that The Daily Show is a bright spot in the otherwise depressingly dark newsmedia landscape. My cynicism swells most when I watch CNN or FOX talking heads bark at each other in the name of balance, all while trying to break down complex political issues in 13 seconds or less.

By: Robert Feinman

Robert Feinman — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 20:25:56 +0000

That’s what’s wrong with the pundit class -no education.
Perhaps Richard Morin should study Will Rogers and Mark Twain to see that mocking pompous politicians is nothing new.

I think Aristophanes did that as well…