Colbert Study: Conservatives Don't Know He's Joking

Last week, Stephen Colbert revisited a segment he had done on Florida Representative Bill Posey, who sponsored a bill that "would require future presidential candidates to provide a copy of their original birth certificate," in order to put insane rumors of President Barack Obama's birthplace to bed.

Colbert thought a similar measure should be taken to end the whisperings that Posey was a human-alligator hybrid. Posey, in response to Colbert, said, "I expected there would be some civil debate about it, but it wasn't civil...There is no reason to say that I'm the illegitimate grandson of an alligator." And one wondered, "Does Posey not realize that Colbert is not speaking in earnest? His reaction seems uniquely stupid!"

Stupid, yes. But apparently it's not unique at all, according to a study from The Ohio State University, which proves, with math and stuff, that lots of conservatives seem to not understand the intrinsic, underlying joke of The Colbert Report:

This study investigated biased message processing of political satire in The Colbert Report and the influence of political ideology on perceptions of Stephen Colbert. Results indicate that political ideology influences biased processing of ambiguous political messages and source in late-night comedy. Using data from an experiment (N = 332), we found that individual-level political ideology significantly predicted perceptions of Colbert's political ideology. Additionally, there was no significant difference between the groups in thinking Colbert was funny, but conservatives were more likely to report that Colbert only pretends to be joking and genuinely meant what he said while liberals were more likely to report that Colbert used satire and was not serious when offering political statements. Conservatism also significantly predicted perceptions that Colbert disliked liberalism. Finally, a post hoc analysis revealed that perceptions of Colbert's political opinions fully mediated the relationship between political ideology and individual-level opinion.

I think a lot of conservatives are going to pissed when they realize that Stephen Colbert's performance at the 2006 White House Correspondents' Dinner was not, in fact, an awkward and ineffective attempt to praise President George W. Bush, but actually a bitter and satiric criticism of his incompetence!

PREVIOUSLY, on the HUFFINGTON POST:
Florida Congressman Continues To Stonewall On His Half-Alligator Genetic Heritage (VIDEO)
Anti-Gay Group Sends Letter To Colbert Thanking Him For Mocking Them

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Comments

[Wistful]

Whatever Colbert is trying to be, it isn't coming off. He's too abrasive, in-your-fa­ce-aggress­ive and loud and endlessly self-promoting.
If he's trying to mock conservatives he is doing it in such a way that his shtick isn't coming of as satire.

He's no Jon Stewart. I wonder if Jon feels like Colbert isn't a cross to bear cuz Colbert is mostly about Colbert. He's just the opposite of Stewart.
I don't like his abrasive voice and that finger pointing and the long, drawn-out insufferable demand for applause for starters, after Jon Stewart I click to something else, quickly!

[Arachnivore]

It's almost impossible for Colbert to act as a caricature of people like Bill O'Reilly because has to some how behave even more self-involved, childish, quick-tempered, etc. than the people he's satirizing. He and his writers are pretty sharp, but to be honest, Fox News is usually so ridiculous that it practically satirizes its self. All the writers have to do is highlight the already blatant fallacies in most of the conservative rhetoric.

It doesn't surprise me, really. If the people can watch Fox News and be completely oblivious to the idiocy that the station constantly bombards them with, why would those people suddenly recognize the same idiocy when Colbert satirizes it?

[ProfessorVP]

DId it occur to anybody that Posey also was being silly/satirical in his response? The word "illegitimate" was the tipoff. Not the grandson of an alligator, but the illegitimate grandson of an alligator. That said, Posey is right. And the first person to have been disqualified for running for president would have been McCain, who was born in the nation of Panama. Those who know that fact say, "Well, his father, who was in the military, was based in Panama and had his family there. You can't tell servicemen their kids can't be president because of that." Fine, except that there's a little thing called the Consitution of the United States saying only natural born citizens can be president. We are supposed to adhere to the Constitution, or else amend it, not make arguments- either good or bad- to get around it.

[Roses]

I don't really know where you are going with your argument....kind of talking in a circle to yourself?

Anyway, yeah. I'm sure it occured to people that Posey was satirical in his comment. However, you always have to consider the source when you are deciding to laugh or not (case in point being the subject of this study). Posey doesn't strike me as a brainiac who has a quick wit and is a flexible thinker. When he suggested that a law be passed for presidential candidates to submit "proof" of their birth in order to be kind to Obama, it was in all seriousness. Colbert made a joke about it because he was being serious. Colbert pointed out the ridiculousness of it all.

[ProfessorVP]

No circle, Einstein. I said Posey is right, but it is McCain's place of birth that raised a Constitutional problem, not Obama's.

[Tzimisce]

The freeper commentary on this story is further proof that conservatives are genuinely offended by facts.

[Tzimisce]

not to mention in denial over them.

[liberal8]

That's because conservatives have no sense of humor.
True wit requires great intelligence-
enough said.

[lisaman]

My sister is a conservative republican who only watches FOX news, I still love her despite it, anywho, she told me one day how much she likes Colbert. Shocked I was, but NOW I understand. How hilarious is this?!?!

[HotheadPaisen]

It IS hilarious Lisa, it's almost as funny as the anti-gay conservatives going around tea-bagging things.
You just can't make this stuff up!

[Brett Ortler]

Speaking not knowing one is joking--I've been writing wacky letters to President Obama lately (one a day, more or less), and I've been sending them. Some of my readers have thought I was serious, however. You be the judge: www.knockoutlit.org/brett.html

[LennySA]

The thesis of your latest letter is partially invalid because Soundwave is clearly the best Transformer.

[angerona]

Oh God. I just read "A Modest Proposal." Are you trying to tell me that I shouldn't have eaten that Irish baby?

[Buddy McCue]

No, that was MEANT to be satirical!

[Dutchtrs]

*burp* What's satire?

[Dutchtrs]

Is it a sauce?

[Marnieblue]

they don't get it? wow I always had heard that evil was ignorant. they really are dumb those republicans. I wish they would just take all there red states and divide the country up.

[pyrojen]

You'd think they'd get it when he introduces the show as the "Colber Repor"...

[Roses]

This is a video of Colbert's interview with George Will, the tower of conservative thought.
Will is neither dumb nor clueless, he does manage to state his case well.
However, Colbert manages to poke holes in his arguments. This interview is pretty much proof of what I'm trying to say on these boards.

If you think that all conservatives are dumb, you are displaying a remarkable stu pidity. If you think that Colbert is REALLY conservative you are also displaying remarkable stu pidity.

I really don't have any problem with saying that Bush Republicans are not going to win any prizes in the brains department, but they are hardly all conservatives.

Here are the sites you should look at
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/171135/june-03-2008/george-will
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Colbert

[julia23]

Colbert mocked him several times. He said his idea was like a 'dome' with turtles. He was basically saying it was silly.

[Roses]

"However, Colbert manages to poke holes in his arguments."

What do you think poking holes in arguments means? It means the arguments are dumb. It is a fine line, but it is not saying the "republicans are dumb" It is saying that some of their arguments are dumb.
Colbert defines himself as a democrat who has no problems with republicans, just with republican policies.

I agree, some of their policies are very dumb.

[AgentMacGyver]

Wow, you remind me of the guy who exhorted David Brooks on CSPAN to help Rush Hannity et al get the black man out of the White House - they need him, said the caller, since Brooks was of higher intellectual caliber. High standards!

[Roses]

Huh?
Let me tell you a little about myself. I am a liberal-pr­ogressive-­populist-e­cologist-f­eminist who believes in toleration of all living beings. I have high standards and don't want liberals to stoop to the simple-minded knee-jerk reactions that is widespread in the political climate now, particularly in the radical fringes of the main parties.
For the last 30 years I have worked for peace, volunteered in social causes around the world, and stood up for the rights of the oppressed.
Simple calling of names and underestimating anyone because of ones own assumptions is not too bright.

[Lefty83]

OF COURSE THEY DON'T! THEY'RE IDIOTS.

[mspye]

I am so not surprised by this! Did anyone see Toby Keith's interview on the show? It was so obvious that the guy had no clue what was going on. You'd see him about to get pissed because it was dawning on him that Colbert was actually making fun of people with ultra-conservative views but then he'd find himself agreeing with what was being said, so he'd calm down again.

It was so sad and so funny!

They can't help it - I think the average right-winger has trouble grasping advanced concepts such as satire and irony. They're used to very black and white thinking and shades of gray confuse them.

[Bilito]

Wow that is sad.

[ccwguy]

It's not that we don't understand it, the point is the Colbert report itself is stup1d to the point of irritation.

[IrishTaco]

Its funny that you would say that since he is parroting conservative talking points. It must be like looking into a mirror, do you irritate yourself?

[JuliaRain]

"it's not that we don't understand it"

Are you sure? There are plenty of examples of conservatives lacking in comprehension skills in the comments here (including yours). And just like you, they take pride in it!

[willt7311]

Is it me or does in the information within the post totally contradict the title of the post?

The title asserts that conservatives don't know Colbert is joking but within the post it clearly states that they do know he is joking.

Plus, on little incident of some guy getting offended by a silly joke is not indicative of all conservatives. At least if we aren't generalizing which a lib would never be accused of.

[TinyElvis]

All this conservative vs liberal chatter makes us moderates feel lonely.

[Marty Zitter]

You stupid, stupid moderates! Don't you know that the middle of the road is only good for roadkill. Take a stand! Tell us about your faith; about your most deeply held passionately beliefs. What kind of American does not a vision of a far, far better world to which we must aspire? Maybe your grandfather was also an alligator. For shame...

[pyrojen]

ROTFL, Marty. Awesome.

[Roses]

And the sides of the road are good for what? Dead cars? Dead heads?

[Dutchtrs]

LOL! Brother, that made my day! I think I shall quote you....scratch that....I think I shall wantonly plagiarize you. Cheers!

[Maargen]

No need to feel lonely, as long as you understand that "moderate" does not mean neutral. The term "moderate" is a modifying adjective, implying a moderate liberal, moderate conservative, or moderate whatever you want to call yourself. Maybe the term you're looking for is "centrist"?

[Roses]

Good reply.
This article isn't really about centrists, so no need to feel lonely!

[Strepsi]

Any American talking about "moderates" makes me laugh, as the U.S. has no national "left" -- your Democrats are farther to the right than the Canadian Conservative party (which will not undermine Universal Health Care nor Gay marriage Equality, neither of which has a voice in the U.S. Democratic party). And we have FOUR parties to the left of that! Your moderate is any other country's conservative. Your conservatives are any other country's far right. Your right wingnuts are fascists.

[Roses]

"Prime Minister Stephen Harper understands the global financial crisis. His plan for the way forward has been clear and consistent: balanced budgets, lower taxes, investments to create jobs and keeping inflation low."----government of Stephen Harper

Doesn't really sound like Obama's and the Democrats plans to me. More like what the republicans were saying during the election under McCain?

[blastit]

Strepsi your are so right which is why I'm so disenchanted with Democrates, change my arse, real change comes when you take a true stand you can't do that if your in the center. The center is for cowards I can't stand the wingnuts but as crazy as they are at least they go after what they want.

The Democratic Party is not liberal not in the least.

[dartagnan]

No surprise; we've always known conservatives, in general, are not the sharpest knives in the drawer.

"Not all conservatives are stupid, but all stupid people are conservative." -- John Stuart Mill

[winstonian22]

Right. So you probably also accuse conservatives of being narrow-minded and hateful too..right? Guess what buddy. With statements like that you are easily more narrow-minded and hatfeul than most of the conservatives I know.

[BruceCarson]

You, winstonian, are another example of right wing hatred.

[Sarahmay57]

Doubt it.

[HateHater123]

It never ceases to convince me of a total lack of basic reasoning skills when the average "Con" uses the "narrow-minded" attack. One recently accused me of being "narrow-minded" for opposing school prayer....Christian prayer, of course.