One thing I've noticed during the eulogizing of George Carlin on TV... Several times this week, I've seen a television pundit air a particularly biting clip containing some important social or political satire. Not one of Carlin's jokey jokes, but a really serious remark about religion or yuppies or voting. And then, when the clip ends, the pundit laughs out loud and reacts as if the clip contained a wacky, innocuous, jokey joke punchline.
It's a similar kind of condescension the very serious types show to bloggers. Aren't they cute with their outrage? Hoo-hoo! Then they throw to a story about a shark attack.