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December 23, 2007

humor

Do we suffer from a humor deficit? A tongue-in-cheek analysis of the “FSJ Shutdown Drama”.

Posted Dec. 23, ’07, 12:00 PM PT by Aayush Arya
Category | Apple » Humor

Im_With_Stupid_by_SwordexpertA couple of months ago, David Pogue - New York Times technology columnist and CBS news correspondent - had posted an entry on his blog worrying that among the other crises we are suffering from in today’s world, we might also be suffering from a widespread lack of a sense of humor. He gives several examples to prove his point, all of which have the same basic premise - he writes a sarcastic post or article and most of the commenters don’t get the joke and start flaming him.

After having read several posts from various authors on digg and various other websites about Fake Steve Jobs being threatened by Apple, most of which were seriously pondering what would happen if Apple shut down FSJ, I suddenly remembered this post from Mr. Pogue that I’d read a few months ago. I had laughed it off at that time, telling myself that though he was partly correct, most people probably did have a reasonably good sense of humor and did not fall for such jokes. This FSJ saga, however, is beginning to change my opinion.

Even after FSJ has posted five entries on this particular topic, pushing the envelope of credibility a tad further with each one, most of the commenters are still flaming Apple and sending in harsh emails to the real Steve Jobs’ email address. If you know that it is a joke, it will become obvious to you that none of the posts are true. The posts are written in the same over-the-top humorous style that the rest of the posts are and he actually quotes the EFF in one of them saying, “We only help people we like. Good luck.”

C’mon, guys. It’s a satirical blog. What’d you expect! I know that his not posting it as Steve Jobs gives some credibility to the theory that he might be speaking the truth, but the entire premise is so obviously fake that, in my humble opinion, it is very easy to see that he’s just kidding. And if the comments on the latest entry are true then we have confirmation from Steve Jobs himself (the real one) that it is a joke. (Not that I had any doubt.) He replied to at least two of the people who emailed him saying that “I think this is all a joke. And I think you fell for it.”

I think the only thing FSJ can do now to put a stop to the Apple-bashing going on all over the Internet is follow David Pogue’s advice and say it straight up that “it was a joke, dude”.


(Sorry for the rant but I just had this weird urge to post an opinion column and I had to get it out of my system. Please bear with me! I’ll return to my regular blogging now. I promise.)

While we are on the subject of weird urges and fake CEOs being targeted by the companies they are supposed to have taken to glorious heights, let us just discuss one more thing. Steve Jobs (or whoever takes care of his email) actually replying to email concerning Fake Steve? What are the odds of that happening! All the negative publicity must have struck a chord or two, I guess.

[Thanks to Swordexpert on devinatART for the nice little graphic!]


8 Comments

Dave-O said:

Reminds me of a magazine I picked up at my parents a while back while home from college. Apparently, in a previous issue they had reported that Detroit was "purchased" (the naming rights anyway) by Toyota. Half the letters to the editor were outraged, half were disappointed that it was too obviously a joke.

What you have to remember is that outraged people will respond while everyone who gets the joke has a nice laugh and moves on. This disparity in responses creates a false impression that most people bought the story. And remember, the story wouldn't be any fun if no one fell for it.

December 23, 2007 1:45 PM
Anonymous said:

i also e-mailed steve jobs, and he, or whoever answers his email said:
"I think this is a joke."

December 23, 2007 2:34 PM
Frank said:

You seem to be forgetting one thing. When something hits too close to home, it's no longer a joke. It's more like a jab. If that's what he intended, well then it worked - but at least be honest about your intentions.

I didn't find it funny - I don't find Apple suing some little guy funny either - and I like a joke as much as the next guy.

Message to FSJ: "Don't give up your day job!"

December 23, 2007 5:03 PM
Simon C. said:

"Sorry for the rant…"

Oh, no, no, no, don't do that. Stand behind your words! Be proud of them! Don't make a post and then slink away behind a <small> tag, apologizing for the temerity to publish an opinion on a blog. Own your words!

It was a good post, with good points, and that little disclaimer just about spoils it.

December 23, 2007 5:58 PM
fletcher Author Profile Page said:

I think it can be difficult to tell joke pieces from serious pieces on the Internet. Serious newspapers and magazines rarely run jokes. If they do they are usually clearly labeled, in the Arts/Entertainment section, or in a special edition.

In contrast when a piece from a satirical Web site finds its way onto a serious news site it can be hard to tell that it is a joke. The context is so different that the same cues cannot be used by the reader to tell the intent of the writer.

In the case of Fake Steve Jobs, I understand the conceit of the site to be that it was actually written by Steve Jobs. It would be non-sensical for Apple to send a cease and desist letter to their own CEO. Many readers may have been unsure how to take this piece.

December 23, 2007 9:48 PM
Aayush Arya Author Profile Page said:

Why, thank you, Simon! :)

I'll make sure that tag doesn't see the light of day anytime soon now.

December 23, 2007 9:59 PM
goobimama Author Profile Page said:

I still think it is real... at least his latest post about the lawyer. But then again, I'm no FSJ follower so I wouldn't know...

December 24, 2007 1:17 AM
Pete Moss said:

People always try to be too funny. I never do.

December 24, 2007 10:38 AM

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