After inviting her, and allowing her to hold a talk at their event, the TED talks founder disregarded Sarah Silvermans talk, detaching himself from any controversy he might have directly promoted
As a caregiver to a Down's individual and a father to a boy with autism, I say that "retarded" is the proper and inoffensive term to describe someone with mental retardation. Retardation is a word with a definition and it is not offensive. We have to stop letting morons adulterate our language and steal it from us.
Literally everyone else in our field disagrees with you and you know that. If you are a caregiver you know how that word can affect the people we care for, which is why it has been completely stripped from any and all professional usage. Just because it was the "proper" term then, doesn't mean it's still proper now.
@@isaacdinkins6200yea I’m sure all the truly mentally retarded people are super offended by that word …. 🤦♂️ By that logic you’re saying they are probably great at trigonometry as well ??? It’s a word…. If you can’t say it, why does it exist and have a meaning? Don’t worry I’ll wait
@@isaacdinkins6200bullshit- it’s only a pejorative because some people decided it’s a pejorative word. Retard literally means to hold back from progress. Now, deference is an important concept and is a loving act- for sure. Some of us are weary of language police parsing words
I have been acquainted with a “retarded” man with Down’s syndrome for many years, and was admonished for referring to him as such by a health care professional. The fact is, he is socially retarted because his biological condition makes it very difficult to understand his speech. However, while he is mentally below average, he would fare much better if he had had corrective surgery early to minimize his speech impediment. I’m just saying that in this case (and probably not unique with Down’s syndrome individuals) “retarded” is probably more accurate than “mentally handicapped”. The point is, being criticized for using politically “improper” terms for people with disabilities without understanding the actual relationships involved doesn’t help anyone.
That's so true lol.. well said, sir. Unfortunately that's why comics like Larry the Cable Guy and Jeff Foxworthy are so famous, never underestimate the number of stupid assholes in this world lol
I have to admit, that was a pretty damn good point, even though I'm not always a fan of Sarah Silverman. People who get offended on behalf of other people, ultimately don't care about other people's feelings: they only care about their OWN feelings and their OWN social standing.
She would have a point if she actually did it but she did not ,like all virtue signalling it is about them not the issue.She was never gonna do it and thats whats fucked up
+Gustav Maia Well... being pepared to draw a conclusion based upon hearing only one side of the argument does NOT necessarily make you a GOOD person...
I think not... that made sense to me too... because I think handicapped people with terminal illness deserve the happiness that Sarah's money could get... they can be taken care of really well while they are still living... had Sarah expound on this matter there will be no confusion... sometimes it is not what we say that hurts... it's how we say it
+First Name Last Name I dunno if I wanna hear the perspective of the TED guy if he's just gonna disregard her talk like that. Shouldn't have booked her if you don't like what she's gonna say.
First of all, I watched Sarah's TED presentation, and the audience loved her. Second of all, for a Sarah Silverman joke, this is pretty tame, so they shouldn't be surprised at all for the content. And third, this is a great joke! She makes great points and points out things that other people are "offended" by because they're uncomfortable acknowledging the truth. Way to go, Sarah, I'll always be a huge supporter!
Seconded. She got laughs, that's her job. Literally her entire job. I enjoy Sarah Silverman. She is absolutely, brutally honest. Sometimes it makes me laugh, sometimes it makes me uncomfortable, but her work often makes me think. That's sexy as hell.
I saw her TED talk and judging from the audience response, it was a successful session. It was like the people who booked her had never seen her stand up. The TED talks have some amazing speakers, and really bad speakers. Think Sarah gave a really good performance, much better than the "we need to smile more" speakers.
She's ahead of her time - that's all there is to it! Funny as fuck, cute as hell, and pushing retarded social boundaries. If you didn't like her go back to sleep, sheep!
Agreed. One of the things Sarah Silverman does best is that she forces people to actually face prejudice. People who take offense at simply hearing certain words without considering context, intent and result frighten me. We are humans, capable of rational thought. Why do some people insist on not making use of that capability?
She actually was passionate about this and made a good point. But honestly, TED should know who she was if they invited her... And they probably should have asked about her material beforehand as well, know some of her stuff is more on the risqué side. Here I though TEd full full of smart people
TED: all the pomposity of higher education research without any of that messy "peer review." Oh yeah, and they charge suckers big bucks to attend so they can think they are "smart" and "hip." News flash: they're not.
She makes her wealthy, famous living off of insuling others, mockery, sarcasm, juvenile humor. But she gets offended and hurt when someone else does the exact same thing to her? Hypocrite crocodile tears! One who makes their living off of offending and hurting peoples feelings and being sarcastic and insulting should not be surprised or hurt if others do the same thing to them.
+James Hicks Are you capable of a reasoned, mature counter-argument or just ad hominem and strawman attacks{logical fallacies/debate fallacies..not facts}, as well as making stuff up. There was no William Baker who killed people in the salen witch-trials, and even if there was, how would pointing that out be a rational and mature ans valid argument? "You have the same name or a similar name to a bad person...that must mean you're as bad as that bad person". I mean, really? FYI: I'm an occultist and freethinker, I believe that the salem witch-trials as well as all other 'witchhunts"[of actual witches or people falsely accused of being withes; for withhunts of other types of people} to be monstrous and wrong. Why would I be ok with the persecution of witches when I'm an occultist, freethinker, egalitarian humanist myself? Criticism of feminism[an ideology} or of ONE specific female feminist who's clearly hypocritical and privelaged for her hypocrisy or the ideologies hypocrisies does not equal misogyny{hatred of females}. FYI: I'm a gender egalitarian. Have you an actual, reasoned, mature counter-argument or can you only respond with ad hominem and strawmen, like a juvenile. I welcome reasoned debate.
+Will Baker She does not hurt peoples feelings you moron. People like you are idiots. You just don't get it do you. Making jokes and laughing at each other is not hurting feelings. Sarah Silverman even makes jokes about herself. If you do not like her why are you watching her videos on RU-vid?
It takes someone with this kind of mental toughness to accept a sick baby as their own. Kudo to her and I hope her adoption bids are successful. Media has never yet figured out how to portray a radical notion like hers in a fair light.
I honestly don't see what is so controversial about what she said. Mentally-ill babies with terminal illnesses also have the right to have a family, at least for the short time they are among us. The only problem could be the word "retarded." As a non-native English speaker, I find this word offensive. But I'm sure she means no offense to these people.
+First Name Last Name the joke wasn't about the handicapped it was about herself and adoption. it's not like she went out and said something offensive about mentally handicapped ppl jeez ppl need to relax. if you can't laugh you cry so I'd prefer to laugh
BigEvan96 Shouldn't have been invited to speak at it then. They knew what kind of comedian she was and booked her anyway. It's like booking a heavy metal band to be the choir for a wedding in a church and then complaining afterwards that they should have tailored this music accordingly
Fiona Murphy Well than she shouldn't try and pass herself along like she's some sort of intellectual. Maher did the same shit when he called himself a "libertarian". When it comes time to put up or shut up both of them got lambasted by the communities they claimed to be a part of.
Whence all the attacks because of ethnicity and why all the foul comments. Are these people upset because they are not successful and/or need to transfer their self-hatred to people who they want to see as different? Or maybe they are just jealous.
Even if you don't enjoy her comedy, she is clearly a very smart person and makes a great point re: people with disabilities, their advocates and political correctness.
***** She's well spoken, and when she is vulgar, she is consciously doing so. It's not that she's an idiot, she just finds it funny. She is a comedian.
BeholdJesse There's always an intelligent concept behind her "vulgarity", unlike Family Guy or Daniel Tosh whatever other gross-out or "offensive" humor there is. And don't bother with Maurice man, the guy is a sociopathic bigot.
***** Gee, a good-taste Judge.What are your bona fides for it? Vulgarity? Vulgarity? That's nothing compared to how people treat the first Black President.( Do you do that too?)You're an opinionated amateur, but that's okay, because you're not a very good one. Dig?
theEarlofChip I think Seth Macfarlane has a lot of intelligent ideas backing his humor two. The both of them definitely share that stupid for the sake of stupid humor sometimes though. Which I appreciate, cause sometimes, farts are funny haha Also, I thought Tosh's standup wasn't too shabby either. He has an angle that isn't my favorite, but I think he's still a good stand up comedian
TED talks are mediocrity on parade. Sarah Silverman is undoubtedly the most original and candid speaker they have ever had. It may be sad that a comedian takes that prize, but that's not her fault. And I really dislike potty-mouthed comedians in general and I'm pretty conservative, but Sarah is a genuine artist and a truth-teller. I would compare her to the young Woody Allen. She deserves to be appreciated in this day when truth-telling is all but illegal.
Have lost SO MUCH respect for the TED format...So much for their moto of openness of ideas... Always been a great fan of Sarah Silverman,even more so now...🤘😎🤘
As a sheer logician that was brilliant. She presents the fear of the problem that her handicapped adoptee might outlive her, and finds a solution! What kind of a person does this? A genius!
I don't see any reason for controversy with the idea of a Mentally Challenged Terminally Ill child being granted a great life (Sarahs rich) - When originally they'd grow up as the ward of the state. It's a random (strange) act of kindness, but the idea, while hard to imagine you'd think of yourself, is a good one. She's famous for silly songs, and racist, xenophobic or anti-theist jokes. So I'm really confused about why they expected anything different? Her jokes were...Sarah silverman style jokes. & Her discussion, while odd; is actually quite altruistic and noble.
It actually makes a lot of sense. The worry about your child's future is reasonable in that situation. I do think she has a better shot at adopted a retarded cat, though. That would solve the longevity problem, too.
Very good view however I sincerely hope Silverman matures into the role and doesn't continue with this nonsensical stance of thinking she's right all the time without considering the results, I fear the child would suffer as a consequence. You genuinely believe Ms Silverman understand the concept of utilitarianism? Ask all those parents who have had to change their lifestyles radically due to a disabled child and then ask yourself is this girl ready to become one of those parents? How hard was that struggle for those parents? You can't simply throw money at a problematic existence like this, if is unfair on the most vulnerable of humans, she has the resources yes but has she the mental strength and integrity to follow up with commitment what she evidently portrays as confidence?
Parker So Fetch Absolutely. The idea sounds nice. It just shows that Silverman was merely using the plight of these children for her own benefit, which is disgusting.
I remember watching her TED talk without previous knowledge of her and it made for a poor first impression. I like it when comedians dare to touch delicate subjects, but the way she did it seemed to me rather tasteless. Even after watching her frame the performance as activism, it doesn't seem any more insightful to me on a second visit. Let's just say it wasn't her most ingenious show. That said, Chris Anderson is an asshole for treating her like that. He's had a US Army general speaking about how enlisting really young men that are confused in life and breaking them to turn them into obedient soldiers is the best thing that could happen to them. But no, let's throw shit at the comedian who made some questionable jokes.
I like sarah silverman but i didn't find the joke funny and its pretty arrogant for her to say if you are offended by it then you don't think the mentally handicapped should be represented in art or expression.
K3VYK3V1 that’s not what she said. it wasn’t an if:then statement. she was making a point relating to the joke, not saying IF people didn’t like it THEN they don’t want disabled people represented in the arts
She didn't say mentally retarded in her speech, she said retarded (so she lied during this interview). I doubt Sarah would say that today. She was reacting at the time to Sarah Palin's attempt to shame people that use that pejorative. I love Sarah Silverman and hate Sarah Palin, but on this issue, SS was wrong and I hope she has met some folks with MR. There is no other group in history so powerless as the MR community and picking on them is not funny to a lot of people, especially those that have MR folks as sons and daughters. Their life is hard enough without being made fun of by public figures. SS says she doesn't give a fuck about their advocates? Well their primary advocates are the awesome people you claim you want to be, i.e. their fathers, their mothers, sisters and brothers. I get she doesn't get that, but still. Here is what she said and the crowds reaction: “The only problem with adopting a retarded child is that the retarded child, when you are 80 is well, still retarded and that she wouldn’t enjoy the freedoms of setting them free at age 18, so she was only going to adopt a retarded child with a terminal illness so it has an expiration date, because who would adopt a retarded child with a terminal illness? Well, someone who was awesome like her”.
“The only problem with adopting a retarded child is that the retarded child, when you are 80 is well, still retarded and that she wouldn’t enjoy the freedoms of setting them free at age 18, so she was only going to adopt a retarded child with a terminal illness so it has an expiration date, because who would adopt a retarded child with a terminal illness? Well, someone who was awesome like her”. I actually took it that Sarah was saying that when she dies, who will look after the child, not that she's going to have to look after her until she's 80. But i have flu, so i may have missed the point completely.
Yes, i am right. That's exactly what she was saying. If she dies, who will look after the elderly handicapped "child". Therefore, if she adopts a handicapped child that is terminally ill, she won't have to worry about that. I get some people not liking this joke, or bit, but like most offensive jokes that people get uppity about, it makes you think and question. This bit actually breaks my heart because it makes me think of the scenario of leaving behind a loved one that cannot take care of themselves.
What happened to that poor 18 year old special needs man in Chicago that was tortured by the 4 teens is the worst nightmare for all of us who has a child with special needs. One day, we won't be there to protect them.
I wouldn't consider Sarah Silverman a superbly funny comedienne by any means, her delivery being as stale and repetitive as it is, but the amount of personal offense taken to her humor in this comment section is astonishing and in some cases, just a bit silly. Your oversensitivity to shock-value comedy for the purposes of both invoking personal analyzation of such issues and for its own sake only serves to further prove Sarah Silverman's point at the end of this video (5:26 - 6:08). You can go ahead and post her jokes without the set-up or out of context all you'd like, but most people have seen her television programs and/or stand-up specials and recognize satire or sarcasm when it's directly in front of them. I never thought her humor could be considered too "high-brow" for some people, but clearly a large sum of you have completely missed the point.
With all that said, I love TED talks and they are many out there that are fantastic. But as more info gets out about how they run their events, the admiration that many people have had for the organization has started to wane quite a bit. People speak for free, but yet they charge attendees big money to sit and watch. They make grown people share hotel rooms with each other, as if that's some type of hip communal/networking strategy. If you are a speaker you are literally NOT ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE PREMISES for like 12+ hours a day during the entire event. Don't you think they (the TED organizers) would know what Sarah is like in her act? In Sarah's defense, even with the most cursory effort at due diligence they should have know the risks they were taking. That would be like signing up Sam Kinison to speak but afterwards not broadcasting his act because the organization has a problem with people raising their voices.
I think she's great, I've always thought so. And, she's kinda pretty and sexy in a weird way lol I don't know what it is, some girls aren't pretty in a, "traditional," way but pretty all the same.
I had not heard of this controversy but in my opinion Sarah is an angelic heroine. Not many (if any??) would choose to take on the challenge of raising a terminally ill, mentally challenged baby. It’s definitely a recipe for relentless fatigue and guaranteed heartbreak. But without her, what kind of life is that child destined for? I am a 76-year old empath who adores children, but I’m sad to admit my heart was never that big. I salute her, and wish her blessings and joy in this selfless mission.
well i dont claim to be perfect but im not a bigot and im not a liar. note the completely emotional reaction you had completely devoid of any logic or reason lol
slinky vagabond What's "amusing" is how you fail to attack Barack Obama, the economy, the NSA, the Fed, corrupt Wall Street bankers, or a senator near you. Instead you specialize in going after female comics. Now THAT's "emotional logic" for you.
I think it's because she's a comedian they heard of that they thought to call her..... are you implying that TED should write the speeches? are you implying that people who gives speeches should not be humorous to listen to? it's so funny cuz it's true.... PC can't kill truth unless you let it.
Exactly! Are you actually telling me that they didn't ask her what she would be saying? Are we supposed to believe that they thought she wouldn't do exactly what she is known for up there??? People are so fucking retarded!!!
she has more balls than most men i know. most people wouldn't ever have the balls to go on stage, let alone perform a good set or performance. they'd shit their pants.
I'm a Sarah fan, but she needs to get up to speed on how to talk about people with disabilities. It's a "child with mental retardation" not a "mentally retarded child." Better yet, just say "a child with special needs." I appreciate her going awkward places with her humor, even as a father of a child with special needs, but do it with some awareness...
Actually, you should be thanking Sarah for bringing up this issue. She brings up a valid point-----most people want to look the other way when dealing with kids with mental disorders. She wants to change that. She may not get the point across in a way YOU would like, but that doesn't mean she needs to communicated differently simply because she offended your fragile sensibilities.
It's Sept 2015. Did she adopt a kid with a handicap yet? Or was it actually a "bit"? This video was uploaded to RU-vid in 2010 so assuming it's been 5 yrs since...
If you can't laugh at something you cry..I myself prefer to laugh. This PC bullshit got to stop ..TED knew who she was and what she was about shouldn't have hired her if they thought she didn't fit the bill or are easily offended...end of.
Sarah, I love you more then ever! I am a recreation therapist and therefore an advocate for people with disabilities and I agree with you 100%! I know a fellow recreation therapist who used a wheelchair who calls himself a 'gimp.' Now I would never call him that but he wants to call himself that who the hell cares? I met a 60 year woman recently who said she still calls herself handicapped. One of her 'advocates' told her she should not use that word. This woman replied, "Why not? I was born with polio. I have always called myself handicapped. Why should I call myself anything else? And why should anyone else care what I call myself?" The PC Police only care being 'nice' not about being 'good.' A good person does not just talk about being good. A good person actually does good things like adopt a child who is mentally retarded and terminally ill. You are a good person, Sarah Silverman.
+Silver Surfer 2142 Agreed. She talked about not wanting to worry about taking care of this person because the terminal illness would end their life. It wasa really weird cynically morbid joke. Clearly not the stuff you say at a TED talk.
+BigEvan96 well I must be missing the point I thought TED talks are about thinking. did you even consider thinking about what she said...... it's so funny cuz it's true. is there no room for Truth at a TED Talk?
she couldn't have said it better... love how everyone who doesn't have a job as a comedian, to say what is funny or not funny, comedians, (not all) but most, know what the fuck they're doing. and yes, i get it, humor is subjective. people need to learn to not take everything a comedian says so literally. do you guys honestly think she hates retarded people? absolutely not.. most comedians, are great people who love most of everyone, they are some of the realest people i've ever met. if you guys take what they say very seriously, you probably need to stop watching them or any other comedian as a whole. i am a comic myself, i make mexican jokes, black jokes, jew jokes, etc... i make fun of myself as well as other people.. and the audience (most of the time) loves it.. and i say most of them time, because there's always an idiot or two in the audience with their arms crossed with a stick up their ass taking everything so literally. i love most people, and so do most comedians.. if you can't handle their jokes, seriously, go cry somewhere else.
Sarah silvermans job is to be funny for a living but she's absolutely not funny. It's the height of arrogance to say that because you are someone who is funny for a living that means you're automatically funnier than other people. I bet the TED guy is funnier than Sarah Silverman honestly. Who thinks this woman is funny? I loved mr show and I love alt comedy. Big fan of David cross et al. She was never funny even back then.
I wasn't programmed to lie to spare people's feelings I mean be politically correct. I laugh out loud when I hear someone say something true that no one else has the balls to say.....
The general consensus on Silverman is you love/hate her, but she's more of an in between for me. She reminds of someone who is naturally intelligent, but didn't have much of an education. She has some clever bits and some dull ones. She makes good points in arguments, but isn't very charismatic so the point can be lost in her confusion. She is thoughtfully edgy, but the meaning in her extreme works is lost because of her tendency to revert to obscenity in personal defense. Honestly, given a proper education and constructive home-life, Sarah might have been the next Don Rickles. Pity.
TheDirtyRake Really? Don Rickles was a terrible comick. He had no jokes, just ethnic slurs. Silverman was, at first, much better.But she kind of seems to have blown her wad and is now repeating old stuff or doing weak juvenile stuff. Her TV show was TERRIBLE, though that may not have been all her fault.
Sarah Silverman isn't very charismatic?! I wonder if you've seen her. Could someone "not very charismatic" publish a book called 'the bedwetter" and still get booked?
Sarah's "controversial" comedy, whether you think she's funny or not, is always well thought out and she always gives a perfectly reasonable account for herself when asked. People often get offended because they don't understand the difference between a joke dealing with race and a racist joke. People don't understand what satire is.
What kind of sick-minded person would want to take care of a mentally handicapped baby that had a terminal illness and offer it love for whatever brief moments of life or consciousness it might have? I think Jesus would fall into the category. Never been more proud of Sarah. Hope she follows through.
I watched the TED talk. It was cringe worthy, as a lot of Sarah’s stuff is for sure, but fuck it, she is funny as fuck and hot as hell. If you don’t like her, change the channel
MrClemJohnson Same here! And just to sweeten the pot a little, can I mention that I have a reasonably healthy bank account and have been diagnosed with pre onset stupidity?
Sarah Silverman is a comic genius, because she pushes buttons and talks about things most people pretend they don't think themselves, but they do. She holds nothing sacred, nothing is too sensitive to discuss..and in the end..we need that. We need people like her to shake us up..to call our bullshit..to make us realize how much of what we hold dear is utter nonsense and garbage. She reminds us that we are our own worst enemies, and we must laugh at all our crap in order to grow. Bravo Sarah! =)
I think her sentiment about adoption is meant to be funny; however, I wished she would not have called them mentally retarded and used the term intellectually challenged / intellectually disabled. "People who are retarded" do not consider themselves "retarded" the term "retard" is offensive; however, the term retarded is also offensive. Of course, as a comedian, she's poking fun of it but I got the sense that she was in some way trying to be an advocate but she did not come across as an advocate or someone who is intellectually intelligent and progressive. She usually has very good things to say, but in this case she really came across as sounding conservative and the opposite of progressive.
Sarah shows in many ways that she is a true humanitarian (so yes, atheists can live by a moral code too, and in her case, far superior than most (angry) christians'). The world needs more Sarah Silverman's, even if they are not as funny as this one! ;-)
I agree Henry she rocks!!!!! People calling her a cunt are: A) sensitive little butterflies and B) incredibly uptight, and C) the kind of people she is making the joke about. LOL
We need more people like her in the world, but to be honest: if I created something like TED I would have a hard time standing behind something like that. It's such a controversial concept and it's very hard to say delicately
Really? They invite her to speak then freak out when she does her very funny but very shocking humor. That’s her thing. Love it or hate it. She is far too clever for those new world knob heads.
Ok I see the problem. Adopting isn't the issue. The issue people have with Sarah Silverman here is that, she's adopting a mentally challenenged child; with a terminal illness so she wouldn't have to worry about someone taking care of it after she dies. There nothing wrong with adopting a mentally challenged child; but saying that adopting a child with terminal illness is like raising an animal to slaughter at the right time.
+MichaelDiPrima You are ignoring the fact that there are indeed mentally handicapped terminally ill children in existence that also need families. Saying that it's like raising an animal to the slaughter isn't going to make the children disappear it's just going to discourage people from adopting them.
+MichaelDiPrima I find her funny, and so does her following, being the reason she has a career as a comedian. Do you really think she's preforming in empty rooms? I mean come on lol
+David de Lancey let's not forget she's a comedian..... she didn't swear an oath to adopt a child...... she talked about the thought process involved..... I never thought she was a great comedian till today
Sarah (and Bill) what's the first rule of comedy? You have to be funny. Sarah, you don't like people whose job it is not to be funny telling you what is or isn't funny (@5:20)? Then do your act in front of your mirror. I don't like people who think it's funny insulting others--especially someone who cherry-picks who'll they'll insult. Sarah, you're an unfunny hack who ball polishes other hacks. To the people who love your work--more power to them. But from where I sit, I think you should hang on to that job application from your local burger joint (one can hope.) Sorry if I made you cry. That would be my job, as someone who's job it is not to be funny.
Your the problem with today's wimpy, pussy, get offended by everything, generation!! Can't take a joke?? Hi to church you idiot then go vote for that loser trump. Stupid
I spent 8 years as a care giver for people with mental disabilities. Her intentions here are to make people THINK. She uses a shock value to do that. She didnt use the term retarded in even the slightest bit of a derogatory manner. What she did do was bring up a way (using humor) that might actually get someone else to consider the idea. I think she is awesome for this. Also the issue her 'solution' addressed really is a huge issue. And if someone does choose to adopt a retarded child with a terminal illness the important part is what kind of life they can provide for them while they are still living. A friend of my ex wife is a nurse who does this very thing. She adopts terminally ill (and usually mentally handicapped) children who have no other family willing to take them. She provides a home for them and a loving environment. This is something that happens. And its something that needs to happen for the life of these individuals to be as full as possible. Sarah brought the issue into the public using the method she knows best and she should be commended for it
+Nicolas Martin I think Sarah Silverman is a very good actress. Silverman is funny but only sometimes. Most of the time her act is reminiscent of a 5-year-old who just learned all the "naughty" words and discovered she can get a reaction from nearby adults by shouting them at the top of her lungs.
I love Sarah Silverman. Her work on Roasts are brilliant, and she's one of my favorite comics! You can, however, see how she gets controversy and negativity through her work. As TED is a well-established medium for thinkers, writers and performers to give talks on socio-cultural issues, I CAN most definitely see how they found her material offensive. As a disabled person, I got that tightening around my heart when she described handicapped people as 'retarded'. As we are living in such an accepting world now (next to no racism, marriage equality, no ableism) the term 'retarded' is slowly funneling out of society. The use of that word is frowned upon now, I think, and as Silverman broached the topic of disability in a negative way, TED is in every right, as the upper-class, global medium of expression that they are, to be a bit pissed. Having said that, I love a good laugh: and as she is a comic, who most likely doesn't do the things she says she does and just says them for comic impact, I reckon it's been blown out of proportion. All in all, I love Sarah, she's great, but this one was a bit fringe for me.
Jamie Trower Why are people pretending, any normal person would use 'retarded' for someone with mental challenges (except for really uneducated people that also make racist, sexist comments etc), it's only used in jokes. Language evolves and it evolved into another term for 'really stupid'.
20,25,30?!? wtf? why are those the only options, thats ridiculous. really though 20? 25? its moronic to even list those two. i would have said 38 maybe, so yeah older than i thought but the fact that you put 20 and 25 is insane.
ATTENTION!!! pause at 2.35 to see the actual Sarah without makeup..fugly as hell. the after 5 seconds, BOOM, filter is ON and she looks flawless. congratulations, TV has again made a fool out of you.
"I don't like people whose job it isn't to be funny to tell me what is or isn't funny." You may not like it, Sarah, but it's the job of a real comedian to listen to non-comedians tell them what is and what isn't funny. Non-comedians, that is to say, audiences, tell comedians whether they're funny by laughing or not laughing. If no one laughs at your jokes, they're not funny. If no one laughs at your jokes, they're not even really jokes, and you're not really a comedian. If you don't recognize that accepting the verdict of audiences is part of your job, then "being funny" really isn't your job. TED erred in inviting Silverman, and it was right to apologize.
she wasn't talking about not listening to audiences. Just the reverse. she got the laughs. she was talking about being attacked by the people who hired her (hypocrites!).
TED was rude and unprofessional to her. She is an incredible comedian and an incredible talent. That being said, if you push the envelope too far, you are going to offend some folks. That is inevitable.
She is a fan of TED, watches TED and thinks when asked for TED "You know what, I think they want me to do a version of my stand up routine!"Yeah, that's pretty stupid. Either you agree to the TED Talk and make something original and appropriate (hint: not your literal stand up routine) or you decline. That being said, for the organizers to disrespect her in such a way is disgraceful. It was a misunderstanding: Predominantly caused by her inability to understand what a appropriate TED Talk is, but a misunderstanding all the same.
It's a resonable and noble thought to want to adopt, let alone a disabled person, whether they are physically or psychically challenged. There are many unwanted children in the world that should been aborted, but they were born instead, so adoption makes sense. If you got the ability and of course, the credentials, to take care of a retarded person, then you could do just that. I don't see what the big fuss is about.
Considering Silverman's voice is horrible, and her "humor" is offensive and tasteless as hell, how in the hell did she ascend to the status she enjoys today? There are thousands of young women who have more talent than Silverman, yet they only allow the Sarah Silvermans into the limelight.
Hal Berkstresser Well, they sure would be offended by her voice. Silverman's voice would be a great torture mechanism at Gitmo, probably work better than waterboarding.
Who's more talented than Silverman? I lean pretty right, and some of her comments offend how I feel about things because I think she's wrong, but I find her brilliant, human, hilarious, and the first person in the room to make fun of herself.
