CBS: Wit and wisdom like you won't believe (headline pun?)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the appropriateness of a headline from CBS regarding Libyan leader Qaddafi, particularly focusing on the implications of humor in media reporting on serious topics such as terrorism and international relations.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern over the headline "Qaddafi Hijacks Spotlight at U.N." suggesting it reflects a decline in media standards regarding serious issues.
  • Another participant finds the headline amusing, arguing that sometimes people take themselves too seriously.
  • A participant compares Qaddafi's appearance to that of an 80s rock star, implying a humorous take on his public persona.
  • One participant critiques the potential for headlines to trivialize serious events, suggesting that humor should not come at the expense of sensitivity to tragic circumstances.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit differing views on the appropriateness of humor in media, with some finding it acceptable and others arguing for a higher standard. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the balance between humor and sensitivity in reporting.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying degrees of discomfort with the media's approach to serious topics, highlighting the subjective nature of humor and its impact on public perception.

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http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/09/23/world/main5331950.shtml?tag=stack

For those who don't know, Qaddafi is the Libyan leader who brought much international outcrying against himself for allowing the Pan-Am bomber the Scottish released to be welcomed back with a big party. With that said, let's check out the headline

Qaddafi Hijacks Spotlight at U.N.

Seriously guys? Have we truly fallen so far?
 
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I think its cute. We take our selves too seriously sometimes.
 
http://awearnessblog.com/20090825_qadaffi_250x250.jpg

Every time I see this guy I think 80s rock star that's snorted wayyyy too much cocaine.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Office_Shredder said:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/09/23/world/main5331950.shtml?tag=stack

For those who don't know, Qaddafi is the Libyan leader who brought much international outcrying against himself for allowing the Pan-Am bomber the Scottish released to be welcomed back with a big party. With that said, let's check out the headline



Seriously guys? Have we truly fallen so far?

lol @ terrorism council.
 
I haven't thought of it that way before Cyrus, but now that you mention it I'm sure I'll notice it every time.

Statutory, what bothers me about the headline is that it's one step away from something like:

Courtroom explodes at suicide bomber's testimony

Or some other similar pun whose only humor value lies in the fact that it's pointing out that a person did a terrible, terrible thing. While I don't instantly condemn those kinds of jokes, and probably make them myself once in a while, I think the media should hold itself to a higher standard of humor than making jokes about how someone was killed