A Video Fisking of that “Fox Viewers Are Stooopid” Study
[Guest post by Aaron Worthing; please send any tips here.]
Via The Blaze we get this high quality take down of the study allegedly showing that Fox Viewers are the most uninformed. I did my own fisking of it, here, but bluntly Lee Doren has completely outclassed me. There isn’t much I said that he didn’t, but there is a ton he said that I didn’t. Nice show:
Meanwhile in related news, the Washington Post is now “misinforming” readers the exact same way Fox has by explaining that Obamacare is increasing costs, but not increasing coverage by very much.
Update: By the way, liberals, isn’t the crass politicization of this kind of social “science”–where liberals put out bogus study after bogus study claiming that liberals are smart, normal, well educated and well-endowed, but conservatives are dumb, psychologically screwed up, ignorant and so on–fatally undermining your argument when you get to global warming? I mean you say, “The Science! tells us that there will be no more winters. And the Science! also says that you are an idiot. Don’t you dare question the Science!” It’s a dumb argument. First, there are plenty of conservatives who know they are not any of the things this supposed social science claims all or most conservatives are, so after hearing the science! lying to insult them, how receptive do you think they will be to the Science! on another topic? And second, you would tend to think the Science! might teach you that “listen to me, you moron!” is not the most persuasive argument even when it is true (and it obviously isn’t, here).
[Posted and authored by Aaron Worthing]
Ah, yes, the old “Suddenly … ” or “Unexpectedly …” theme that the media use to explain Obama’s failures.
SPQR (26be8b) — 12/28/2010 @ 12:29 pmYelverton, the fact hating anti-science racist midget hilljack was pimping that study for its mediamatterz, lyingcrooks thinkregress masters. SHOCKA
JD (0d2ffc) — 12/28/2010 @ 12:39 pmJD
Can i ask a dumb question. what do you base the charge of racism on for yelverton?
Aaron Worthing (e7d72e) — 12/28/2010 @ 12:43 pmNot knowing the difference between opinion and fact was the fundamental error of the “study” … and of the trolls who flog it.
SPQR (26be8b) — 12/28/2010 @ 12:43 pm“We were informed, there would be no math involved’
narciso (6075d0) — 12/28/2010 @ 12:43 pmthat was high level hackery involved from the U Maryland,
They (the Left) have still not been able to explain away the Pew study that found that (horrors) Rush’s listeners are actually as well, or better, edumacated and informed than the average NPR listener.
Ah, well, perhaps someday they’ll be able to explain to us how grass is not green, and the sky is not blue, and of course, nobody believes that water is wet.
And, speaking of NRP/PBS/CPB/etc, they’re taking a major hit today on that Ray Suarez tonguing of Fidel’s backside:
AD-RtR/OS! (e0a090) — 12/28/2010 @ 1:18 pmI would imagine their funding is getting more and more problematic.
In fact, the PBS outlet here in LaLaLand (KCET) has gone Indie, dropping their PBS affiliation over (allegedly) the amount of their annual dues to be paid to the Poohbahs in DC.
He has expressed his concern and dismay in the past that Indians dominate spelling bees and Asians are better at math, AW. Presumably, were we all to take up playing the skin flute, we could compete.
JD (07faa1) — 12/28/2010 @ 1:26 pmThe point is to bolster liberals’ self-image, not to convince conservatives of anything.
Its all about self-esteem. In liberal land, all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all the children are above average.
melanerpes (4e3d81) — 12/28/2010 @ 1:35 pmAD,
I rebutted it, rather successfully right here, demonstrating that Limbaugh’s audience can answer a “what is” question, but not a “why is” question. Heck, I even used a real-life example.
Sure, it’s an assertion you won’t choose to believe, because you are never going to read the Pew summary (let alone the study)…in fact, it’s the same thing I described: you know the headline, but you don’t know anything more than that.
It’s ironic that, as much contempt as I have for knee-jerk right-wingers, I could NEVER match the contempt for them that Limbaugh, Hannity, Levin, and O’Reilly have toward their audience on any day of the week.
timb (449046) — 12/28/2010 @ 1:57 pmIn conservative land, all the women are home, the men don’t have healthcare (and pay no taxes), and the children are all educated with 1985 textbooks due to the lack of taxes. On the other side of conservative land, where you guys aren’t allowed, the investment bankers, insurance CEO’s, defense contractors, and oil executives live in beautiful homes with a security guard at every corner, a BMW in every driveway (for the children, natch, since their parents’ Mercedes are in the garage), and the government “consulting” contracts are plentiful.
You can see conservative land by checking out Guatemala.
timb (449046) — 12/28/2010 @ 2:03 pmTheir first problem, as usual, is semantics. “Social Science”? If you can’t put hard numbers to it, it ain’t a science, no matter how many “authorities” insist it is. It’s an art.
mojo (8096f2) — 12/28/2010 @ 2:07 pmtimb
wow, thank you for that dose of unreality.
Btw, which president actually furthered women’s rights more? Bush Jr. or Clinton?
And remember for purposes of this question, afghan women count.
Aaron Worthing (e7d72e) — 12/28/2010 @ 2:22 pmHow spooky must it be to live in that bizzaro world the creepy stalkerish person describes above. A scenario that only his contempt could create.
JD (0d2ffc) — 12/28/2010 @ 2:41 pmI rebutted it, rather successfully right here, Comment by timb
By what criteria and whose opinion did you “rather successfully” rebut anything?
The first time I listened to Rush he was playing the testimony of David Kay in the Senate, not claiming the mischaracterization that was in the MSM headlines. That is why I listen to him.
What this study show is that Fox viewer’s are less likely to believe the unsubstantiated talking points of the “state run media”.
MD in Philly (3d3f72) — 12/28/2010 @ 2:41 pmMD – he refuted it by stating his opinions as facts, much like the study that is the topic of this post.
JD (822109) — 12/28/2010 @ 2:43 pmIsn’t it wonderful that Timmy was able to avail himself of the
AD-RtR/OS! (e0a090) — 12/28/2010 @ 3:43 pmWinter HolidayChristmas Furlough Program at the local sanitarium.Last time I checked, all the financial services executives were donating to Obama’s campaign.
timb certainly lives in an alternate universe …
SPQR (94a0ec) — 12/28/2010 @ 3:59 pmI tried to read timb’s comment but it must be that problem understanding again. It sounds irrational. It is a pretty well established fact that people who are interested in politics are better informed than those who pay little attention. That applies to both sides in politics.
One thing I notice from reading left wing blogs is that there are certain principles that mark the left from everyone else. One-they don’t believe in the free market, Two- global warming is indisputable. Three- The “rich” are evil. You can go on to third world countries being virtuous and the rest but those three will pretty much identify them.
Mike K (568408) — 12/28/2010 @ 4:18 pm____________________________________________
You can see conservative land by checking out Guatemala.
Huh? That’s a Third World society. Most of the sociopolitical dynamics in such places often tilt to the left. The never-ending debacle that is Mexico is a much closer example. IOW, nations or communities where large numbers of people have voting patterns that pretty much mimic what’s found in eternally dysfunctional inner-city America.
Mark (411533) — 12/28/2010 @ 4:36 pmGreat timing – regarding the bias of Fox News viewers to question Obambi’s birth venue, we have this from Chris “I have a cream” Matthews –
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2010/12/27/chris_matthews_why_doesnt_obama_just_release_the_birth_certificate.html
Steve from Santa Barbara (e5c232) — 12/28/2010 @ 5:24 pmWhat TIMB meant to say had his drugs kicked in:
Steve from Santa Barbara (e5c232) — 12/28/2010 @ 5:41 pm“Its all about self-esteem. In liberal land, all the women are strong and play great golf, all the men are good looking because they decorate and dress well, and all the children are above average because there are no conservative kids to compete with.” It’s a perfect world in timbaland…
The left made a big mistake when it decided that a winning game plan would be to tell everyone how smart they are.
I think it may be the time to redefine smart or just stop listening, because smart hasn’t shown up for a while now.
By the way, I lost my cap-a. If anyone finds it, please send it back. Thanks.
ag80 (e03e7a) — 12/28/2010 @ 6:29 pmIsn’t that just like an Aggie…..
AD-RtR/OS! (e0a090) — 12/28/2010 @ 6:56 pmgood thing your head’s connected to your neck (Heh!).
The Irony is that Fox News ranges from bad to awful. There is little in-depth coverage. There are few detailed, let’s get to the bottom of this, programs. Yet, it is still so far above the rest of the MSM garbage, that they stand out. ATTACK –
Rupert (6fab9d) — 12/28/2010 @ 7:12 pmSince the Liberal Intellectual Radical Progressive Left defines “smart” as “agrees with everything we say or believe”, they naturally feel that they are smarter than Conservatives. That there might be other definitions that work somewhat better in the real world is something from which the instructors at their Liberal Arts Colleges very carefully shielded them.
C. S. P. Schofield (e4bd33) — 12/28/2010 @ 8:47 pmFound it, AD.
Now can someone help me in finding the smart, rather than the clever, in D.C.?
Ag80 (e03e7a) — 12/28/2010 @ 9:03 pmAg, what (or who) are you?
AD-RtR/OS! (e0a090) — 12/28/2010 @ 11:34 pmDon Quixote?
Well since you insist I attack you Rupert, you are completely off base and Fox News really ranges from mediocre to awful. While it is true that most of the programing doesn’t surpass bad, occasionally they manage to reach the dizzying heights of mediocrity. While the rest of the news outlets are below Fox, they also upon more rare occasion manage to reach the level of mediocre. Fox News leaves it’s viewers poorly prepared to make informed decisions about the world they live in while the others leave their viewers woefully unprepared.
Also, while depth is a problem with the current media format, the greater and more prevalent problem is breadth – even when they get deeply into an issue they only present one side with (if you’re lucky with CBS) token acknowledgment that there is another side. In reality, as opposed to the world of the news, on any issue worth reporting there at least 3 groups for it for a variety of reasons not all of which overlap, at least 4 groups opposed for a variety of reasons not all of which overlap, and at least a dozen positions (cannot call them groups) which might be for or opposed depending on side issues which have nothing to do with the actual issue.
max (2f2a28) — 12/29/2010 @ 1:06 am“Global Warming”
I suggest a name change to
The Chicken Little Syndrome
Buck (2f4203) — 12/29/2010 @ 4:46 amMy first question to anyone who criticizes Fox News is, what news organization do you feel gives an objective report on current issues? Every news organization has made mistakes in their reporting. With the advent of the internet, it’s become a gotcha game of whack-a-hypocrite.
vote for pedro (e7577d) — 12/29/2010 @ 5:19 amBTW, surveys and polls are not facts, and concensus is not science.
Terrific video. My youngest brother has a BS EE from Maryland. I’ll keep this video on file.
Am I the only one who saw this? In the video where Paul Ryan schools the president, look at Obama’s face. He’s hungover!
Arch (24f4f2) — 12/29/2010 @ 5:43 am“Am I the only one who saw this? In the video where Paul Ryan schools the president, look at Obama’s face. He’s hungover!”
Hungover! No. Disdainful, yes.
This segment should be prominent in the 2012 election advertising.
Who funded the study?
Davod (bce08f) — 12/29/2010 @ 7:13 amarch
i didn’t think he was hung over. just like “oh god, he is discussing those boring numbers again. doesn’t he know we run on bullsh–?”
Aaron Worthing (e7d72e) — 12/29/2010 @ 7:40 amIn case it was not clear, “abe” is the midget racist hilljack William Yelverton, the skin flute teacher. He is on a bender.
JD (0d2ffc) — 12/29/2010 @ 8:14 amThough the irony is rich since William Yelverton is scared of brown people that can spell and Christians, actually he loathes Christians.
JD (109425) — 12/29/2010 @ 8:21 amOdd that I love guns, am merely skeptical of government and enjoy other peoples of differing races ( even French people! ) and differing religions.
I’m a failed conservative, it appears. Well, that and a rigorous education in a hard discipline – something not within the capabilities of most Democrats.
SPQR (26be8b) — 12/29/2010 @ 9:16 amAs the say in the “climate science” biz, this ain’t no “peer reviewed” study, so …
Neo (03e5c2) — 12/29/2010 @ 7:17 pmmax – I think you argued my position. Thanks –
Rupert (ca6b2f) — 12/29/2010 @ 7:33 pmOf course it is, because it’s not Science, as you well know, it’s the Press.
Allow me to translate, and the REAL meaning becomes blatantly clear:
I mean you say, “The Press! tells us that there will be no more winters. And the Press! also says that you are an idiot. Don’t you dare question the Press!”
There. Steuben Crystal, izzit not?
IgotBupkis, President, United Anarchist Society (c9dcd8) — 12/30/2010 @ 12:19 pmWell, not the Conservative ones…
S’funny, really. In TRW, the conservative women are good looking, the conservative men are strong, and, having actually been raised by attentive, caring parents, the conservative children really ARE above average.
IgotBupkis, President, United Anarchist Society (c9dcd8) — 12/30/2010 @ 12:43 pmI would argue that this is more associated with typical human laziness than anything associated with Limbaugh listening and its root cause.
I believe I can readily reverse this and ask a large host of college educated liberals about:
a) Extraordinary Rendition (having to explain it to many, who likely know of the subject but not the term)
b) Project Echelon (interpreting it for them as International-Call Eavesdropping, because, again, they won’t know the term for the most part)
And ask them who initiated both concepts, and why…
Are you going to attempt to argue that “That EEEEvil BASTARD **Bush**!!” isn’t going to be the answer among liberals who imagine themselves to be well informed?
I’ll assume you’re actually clued in enough to grasp that BOTH were initiated under Clinton’s watch, despite his lacking 911 as a goad to take any kind of extraordinary measures.
S’Funny how what’s acceptable to the MSM (the ones “informing” the liberals, instead of Rush) changes with who is in office, as, suddenly, both those practices, being continued under Obama, are suddenly once again zero newsworthy.
In other words — the average person is probably less informed than they ought to be — because THE MEDIA plays this partisan shit all the time — both sides do it.
A rational, sensible person (hardly the majority of people any more, if it has ever been since about 1890) grasps this and does not depend on a monolithic source for news — and the MSMs ARE largely a monolithic source, as is Fox&News-Radio for the other side. Neither should be trusted alone.
IgotBupkis, President, United Anarchist Society (c9dcd8) — 12/30/2010 @ 1:21 pm