Brilliance

The New York Times and The Onion.

 One is a factual, academically written piece that appeals to the likes of my grandfather, and the other is a humorous, satirical work that pokes fun at the "flaws" in everyday life.

At first glance, it would appear that the two papers have a completely different agenda for their news. However, if you look a little deeper into it, the Onion is really just the younger, funnier brother to the Times. Take, for example, the news about Peyton Manning being cleared to play football again. The Times says, "Peyton Manning Cleared to Resume NFL Career." The Onion says, "Doctors Clear Peyton Manning To Let 300 Pound Men Slam Him Into The Ground As Hard As They Can." Yes, Peyton was cleared to resume his NFL career, but the Onion goes a step farther and points out the elephant in the room (that being the absurdity of his clearance) in a funny way. If one was to read the title out of context, not knowing who Peyton Manning is, they would be very confused as to why anyone would want to let 300 pound men slam them into the ground as hard as they can, much less if he just recovered from an injury!

(Hopefully said 300 pound men dont permanently injure one of the best quarterbacks ever to play the game after his return.)

Another interesting comparison that can be made between the sources is about the current election situation. Because it is just now the primarys, most of the talk in politics has been about the potential republican candidates. In a stab at the "quality" of the current candidates, the Onion made a satirical video about a "mystery candidate, who will wear a paper bag over his head until elected, and at that point will reveal his economic plan and presidental agenda" And according to the Onion, he's winning!!


They also throws a little help Obamas way and makes a plea to Americans to have some decency and vote him in for another term so "his daughters wont have to switch schools!"

Brilliant.