John K:

Got it.  I certainly agree that sites should not be confusing, particularly since it is true that even people who are not lazy readers may still “scan” through and miss things.  Larger type on the subject topic (e.g., “Humor”) would certainly be helpful!

Peace.

Maani,

I’m saying that websites should do their best to eliminate confusion/frustration for their users.  If I got frustrated - and I don’t consider myself slow, I assume that others may be frustrated as well.

We don’t really get to choose if we get frustrated or misinterpret something do we? It certainly isn’t anyone’s goal. Arguing that people are slow and shouldn’t be or that people who are slow deserve to be confused doesn’t help anyone.

I say make it hard to misinterpret something. It seems to have worked well for Google search:-)

In my opinion Putin is in much better shape than Obama.

John K:

“But as you can see from the comments, most people have read this piece as a serious article.  People don’t read the same way on the Internet, they scan.  As a result of this scanning, they don’t take in details like the fact that this story is identified as HUMOR at the top and the byline says “Satire by…”

At the risking of sounding “harsh,” are you saying that websites should change their policies and offerings because people have become lazy readers? Isn’t that just a tad backwards?  LOL.

Peace.

By John K, December 29 at 7:10 am #

cyrena,

I don’t think that Truthdig should remove Andy’s writings. He has an audience and people like his satire.  But as you can see from the comments, most people have read this piece as a serious article.

~~~

I know what you mean John K, but the thing of it is…those people who have read this as a serious article are ‘slow’. In fact, they are the same ones who ALWAYS read Andy’s pieces as ‘serious news’ instead of the satire. In other words, THEY DON’T ‘GET IT’!!

They don’t mean any harm, but they DON’T GET IT, and if they haven’t figured it out by now, they never will. We could put ‘humor’ in 10 inch Comic Sans font with blinking lights, and they STILL wouldn’t get it.

So, how do we (or any on-line publisher that caters to a WW audience) ‘adjust’ for that? Like anything else, it’s an ongoing challenge.

This subject brings to mind a complaint from another poster that I also sympathized with. His complaint was the determined use of Osama bin Laden’s FIRST NAME ONLY, in headlines and other text that could very easily be misread as Obama, instead of Osama. There is a one letter difference, and that just isn’t enough for the intellectually impaired. So his suggestion was that instead of using Osama’s FIRST name, why not just use his LAST name.

I thought it was a good idea, and it may have helped with many people. But there are still those who will continue to confuse or conflate them, in part because they want to.

Since there’s no ‘adjusting’ for that, we just have to call it on the side of the majority, whom we can hopefully assume DO get it, and appreciate it for what it’s worth, in the spirit in which it is presented.

That said though, I honestly DO get your point.

I personally so appreciate this article… a good laugh is just what I needed… besides imagine how much worse our world would be without laughter!!! so im sorry if the inclusion of this article upset your serious need for “serious news” but cant you just laugh?? Sometimes humor is the only thing that can get one through the day!

Yes, I thought this was true. When you deal with republicans they come out with the craziest things. Resons to hate anyone and everyone so why not believe this.

When you think about it, it is actuall funny and Andy Borowitz did a fantastic job..Got me!

Shirtless?  Did Obama invest in Madoff’s Ponzi scheme too?

The “humour” hits the nail on the head. The U.S. President need not be concerned about symbols of dignity or office. He has such POWER as to make him invulnerable or seems to make vulnerability irrelevant. Torture of prisoners, Quantanamo Bay, “no comment” on the bombing of Gaza with American supplied smart bombs, Hillary Clinton (tough love) in charge of Foreign Relations, a shirtless President Obama—same, same. I suspect it will be “same, same” when America is hit by who knows what sidewinder and does not rise on the count of 10. Overconfidence is what made Humpty Dumpty fall off the wall. Ha, ha! So sorry!

Meanwhile almost former president George W. Bush and his almost former VP Dick Cheney have taken note.

Presidential news secretary Dano S. Inferno announced today, “As a demonstration of solidarity, the President and his favorite Dick will be strolling down the boardwalk in New Jersey, butt naked at high noon New Years Day.”

Dano then asked if there were any questions. But the press gaggle was gone already ... heading for any plane, train or automobile they could find!

Pictures to follow.

cyrena,

I don’t think that Truthdig should remove Andy’s writings. He has an audience and people like his satire.  But as you can see from the comments, most people have read this piece as a serious article.  People don’t read the same way on the Internet, they scan.  As a result of this scanning, they don’t take in details like the fact that this story is identified as HUMOR at the top and the byline says “Satire by…”

Larger more obvious clues are needed to avoid this confusion.

John K is annoyed by the humor/satire, and has this to say

“..If you insist on this continuing this practice, please highlight the headlines more obviously.  Perhaps this is what the font “Comic Sans” was made for:-)”

~~~

What can I say John K? Some of us actually do appreciate the humor from Andy Borowitz, and his name alone (in the headline) tells us that it’s gonna be satire. That’s what Andy does. It’s also noted in red at the top, HUMOR, and in the credits for Borowitz at the bottom of the piece.

So while I can appreciate your concern/frustration in finding this included with ‘serious news’ (and believe me, I do) try to cut us a little slack. You’ve gotta admit there isn’t much humor at all in the ‘serious’ news we’re bombarded with everyday. So indulge us this occasional chuckle.

Meantime, maybe Andy will take you up on the “Comic Sans” font suggestion for his work. (I dont’ know if TD can format it that way though).

I don’t know anyone while on vacation, strolling down a deserted beach whom would do so in a suit.

We have so many sad things happening in the United States as well as around the world and people are worried about a man on a beach shirtless,

Our priorities have gone to the dogs when we nit-pick about a shirtless beach walker, yet aren’t phased by children going to bed hungry and in many cases homeless, the state of the economy, etc, etc.

President-elect Obama certainly better enjoy his vacation because come January 20, he will have a job that appears almost hopeless, one that a president hasn’t had to deal with in over 50 years.

I find it frustrating to find these “humor” stories among serious news.  Perhaps people from the print world are used to this sort of thing. For me, I find it very, very annoying.

If you insist on this continuing this practice, please highlight the headlines more obviously.  Perhaps this is what the font “Comic Sans” was made for:-)