Why do conservative talk show hosts call people they disagree with "stupid" and worse?

It’s called ratings and both sides do that. Not just Conservatives.

In some cases, I believe they employ rhetorical and NLP techniques to discredit opposition viewpoints whether those viewpoints are factual or not. So instead, for example, of an opposition proponent presenting their unadulterated view of an issue, they must first wade through the smokescreen/static created by the assertion of their “stupidity” or the claim that their point of view is “extreme.”

Seems there is a bit of name calling from both sides whenever there is disagreement. It will depend on which side one subscribes to as to who is doing it worse, I think.

Its about the drama, money, and ratings. Its called keeping mess stirred up. They have a knack of knowing how to pull peoples strings…and it works. Sad:(

Yes, it comes from both sides, but it just seems to me that Liberal commentators use humor more than Right ones do to skewer their opponents. Or maybe it’s just more my kind of humor.

Projection.

People call anyone “stupid” when they don’t agree with them. I haven’t noticed the trend you describe, but then again, why the hell would I be watching a conservative talk show? :P

conservatives aren’t funny. They never have been so there’s no way they can use it to criticize or put downs. It just won’t work for them. But I think being insulted when the weapon was humor is more of a zing then when the insult comes in the form of blatant name calling. Being zinged with humor is much more humiliating so that’s why liberals use it. It works for them.

When it comes to TV and other media, targeting your market audience drives the format. They will do what it takes to make it enjoyable to their market-to make it good TV. In the example given, I suspect the audience prefers the word “stupid” to the description “someone with whom I disagree”. You probably don’t enjoy the show anyway. I don’t either for that matter. The blackboard is a little weird.

“Why the hell would I be watching a conservative talk show?”

@DominicX, for the same reason Conservatives should be listening to Liberals and trying to understand where they’re coming from instead of knee-jerkedly dissing them. That’s the whole point of my original question.

@Austinlad GA!

@Austinlad

I wasn’t “knee-jerkedly dissing them”, I don’t watch political talk shows in the first place, so I wouldn’t watch a liberal one either. Not being a conservative, it’d be even less likely for me to watch a show that caters to them. If anything, “dissing” is what this question does by making a huge generalization. Any question that begins with “why do conservatives/liberals…” is going to be flawed because it implies a gross generalization.

Sorry I offended you, @DominicX. I wasn’t talking about you—I don’t even know you or your views. I should have said “many of the Conservatives I know and read about.” The real point I’m trying to make is that people should be talking instead of shouting.

@Austinlad

No, it’s fine, I just see a lot of questions on this site that say things like “are conservatives just evil or what?” or on another site it might be “are liberals ruining America?”. I just don’t like generalizations. If this is a real trend among conservatives, I’d be interested in finding out why it is as well.

It’s not just conservatives. I’ve seen many people here at Fluther call conservatives stupid. just sayin’ ;)

Drama makes money.

They usually discuss a topic that has a lot of views, then ask peoples opinions which they truthfully don’t give a hoot about unless it agrees with their own. They call people stupid because it makes them feel better about their own ignorance. That’s TV for you.

Because the man with microphone is the most powerful man in the room. Calling others name is but one manifestation of that power.

Dr. Phil and Judge Judy altho I think judge judy is a riot, i love her. just happy im not related to the woman ha my mom’s bad enough at times

<—Conservative.

Let’s keep it clean and try not to generalize. I am with you that some conservative talk show hosts can be a bit out there, but some, and I said some liberals can’t even argue a point without screaming at the talk show host. I mean you cannot deny that you have not heard a liberal call into the show and start screaming and calling the talk show host an ignorant liar. It’s on both sides! I listen to Hannity, Savage, Etc, Etc. I agree with them on many views, that’s why I listen to them.

@woodcutter Conservatives aren’t funny? Where did you come up with that? Let me guess.. we’re ignorant, humorless, homophobic, racist, name calling, nazis? I love that I can now add humorless to the list of names I have been called by a few liberals. See? The pendulum swings both ways. Is that the phrase? Haha, I created one if it isn’t. :)

@ducky_dnl Nope the righties may think they are funny and I believe they really think they are, or closer to the truth they might make each other laugh but in general they just don’t have good material as the best and creative writers are left leaners which also probably include a lot of pot smokers. It’s too easy to get laughs at the rich people’s expense or bible thumpers. When you try to get a laugh at the expense of the poor or less fortunate it doesn’t work as well, unless you are a Republican and then it’s funny as hell.

@ducky_dnl and by the way….I’m not a liberal or a Democrat even

@woodcutter umm..a lot of people on this site find me funny as hell. I can make jokes and I don’t have to do it by making fun of someones wealth or poverty.

Because it’s true. I mean if you disagree you don’t have a conservative mentality.

Not very professional of the host, but I can understand their frustration.

@ducky_dnl I’m sure you are funny but I referring to pundits, politicians, People who have an ax to grind ideologically. Conservative talk show hosts and such need a pre recorded laugh track to prop up their attempt at humor is all I was saying.