Stewart is the embodiment of ‘distain chic’ — the cynical, above-it-all, hyper-judgemental condescension which is the default pose of young cooler-than-thou hipsters and hipster wanna-be’s. Accessories include the smug perma-sneer, the you-can’t-possibly-impress-me attitude, the substitution of snark and put-down for discourse, the over-validated sense of importance and individuality, and the reflex ridicule and abuse of those on the paying fields of life by those in the bleacher seats.
It’s popular with young people for whom the worst sin is to be a step or two out of fashion. People who’ve been taught that morality emerges from group concensus. People who’ve yet to assume the sort of burdens and rresponsibilities of those they mock and skewer.
In that sense, Stewart and Maher are like those older teenagers who always hung out with kids much younger, because they were simply much easier to impress. I suspect at some point many of those tuning in today will understand that remaining a detached spectator, sitting in judgement of everyone else is not an option for a responsible adult.
As for Maher, it was once said that Gandhi had the good fortune to struggle against the British instead of the Chinese or the Soviets. Otherwise we’d never have heard of him. Similarly, creatures like Maher or Michael Moore could only prosper in an indulgent West, railing against the very societies which makes their lives possible.
