3 ms·

I don't know about others, but the reason why I am firmly on Wikileaks' side can be clearly seen in that video. The media are a bunch of pliant, spineless, brai

I don't know about others, but the reason why I am firmly on Wikileaks' side can be clearly seen in that video. The media are a bunch of pliant, spineless, brain-dead, PR sound bite regurgitating pussies. Think about it, when was the last time you saw a media figure really dig into someone powerful and call them out on their bullshit? Everything the powerful do and say is so scripted and carefully managed that it loses any connection to reality.

javanix 16y ago
Well, Jon Stewart for one, when he isn't being just a stand-up, does tend to call out major journalistic and political figures for their inadequacies in this regard.
- gruseom 16y ago
  With extreme irregularity (i.e. when it suits him) and a disingenuous tendency to hide behind "I'm just a comedian" as soon as anyone calls him on it.
  - javanix 16y ago
    Well, true, but I've always read that as him not wanting to become the same sort of political lighting-rod that he hates. He was very careful to avoid any overt political associations for his rally, for instance.
    - salemh 16y ago
      His long interview with Rachel Maddow shows his thoughts on this quite well. (link is to an article breakdown with full-video linked) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/11/rachel-maddow-jon-stewart-interview_n_782538.html http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/11/rachel-maddow-jon-s...
- martythemaniak 16y ago
  True, Jon is one of the very very few. But isn't it telling that serious political discourse can now only take place on a comedy show?
jbooth 16y ago
Yeah, that video infuriated me. We had the host and 2 out of the 3 guests just harping on about how the guy is "anti-american". For basically doing the job they're supposed to be doing. And this was on MSNBC.
Tangurena 16y ago
PG pointed in that direction with his essay "The Submarine" and how PR firms have a total stranglehold on news media. With the huge consolidation in the media, and the main news sources all controlled by the same few companies, it makes sense why the big companies don't want to rock the boat. http://www.paulgraham.com/submarine.html http://www.paulgraham.com/submarine.html

javanix 16y ago

Well, Jon Stewart for one, when he isn't being just a stand-up, does tend to call out major journalistic and political figures for their inadequacies in this regard.

gruseom 16y ago
With extreme irregularity (i.e. when it suits him) and a disingenuous tendency to hide behind "I'm just a comedian" as soon as anyone calls him on it.
- javanix 16y ago
  Well, true, but I've always read that as him not wanting to become the same sort of political lighting-rod that he hates. He was very careful to avoid any overt political associations for his rally, for instance.
  - salemh 16y ago
    His long interview with Rachel Maddow shows his thoughts on this quite well. (link is to an article breakdown with full-video linked) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/11/rachel-maddow-jon-stewart-interview_n_782538.html http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/11/rachel-maddow-jon-s...
martythemaniak 16y ago
True, Jon is one of the very very few. But isn't it telling that serious political discourse can now only take place on a comedy show?

jbooth 16y ago

Yeah, that video infuriated me. We had the host and 2 out of the 3 guests just harping on about how the guy is "anti-american". For basically doing the job they're supposed to be doing. And this was on MSNBC.

Tangurena 16y ago

PG pointed in that direction with his essay "The Submarine" and how PR firms have a total stranglehold on news media. With the huge consolidation in the media, and the main news sources all controlled by the same few companies, it makes sense why the big companies don't want to rock the boat. http://www.paulgraham.com/submarine.html http://www.paulgraham.com/submarine.html