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Zingers


© Jen Sorensen

The one thing I haven’t figured out is why they call these things debates. They are more like improv theater.

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2 Comments

  1. mike wrote:

    Read the better angels of our nature. Now. It talks about this briefly, debates are the one political realm where speech hasn’t kept up. Otherwise violence and intelligence have both improved. I know, right?

    Thursday, October 25, 2012 at 5:15 am | Permalink
  2. Jeff wrote:

    It’s the same epidemic that has arisen because of our instant-information system of media. No one watches a full speech or interview anymore. Everything is reduced to soundbites. The same thing is happening with the debates; all that survives from 90 minutes of discussion are a few key phrases that grab people’s attention. And the more you have, the better you appear to be. So, naturally, those who debate strive to get off as many one-liners as possible. It’s how our media defines who wins.

    Thursday, October 25, 2012 at 10:06 am | Permalink