When it momentarily devolved into, "Well, you're a poopyhead!" - "No, YOU'RE a poopyhead!" my daughter rolled her eyes, said goodnight and went to bed. I had no internal reaction to that, except, yeah I get it. Soft frustration and apathy - escaping the debate by literally going unconscious seemed like a generous and rational response.
It was a couple of years ago, but we toured colonial Williamsburg and at the end of it, a writer / performance artist had cobbled together Madison's letters and public remarks and bits from the Federalist Papers into a speech.
Which he delivered, like Pericles on his best day. Probably a hundred people watching, but I'm telling you, he had us. The energy was electric from the charge of good ideas and well spoken truth.
It was beautiful, it was inspiring, and a reminder of what this kind of expression can be. I know Madison died at some point, but what the hell happened? Aren't there any Madisons creeping around that we can trick into running for office?
Your reaction to the debate was shared by literally everyone who watched it. We have to find a way to do better.
In all fairness re: Lincoln v Douglas--they weren't restricted to delivering their entire message in five minutes. Granted, I couldn't listen to even five minutes of a Biden comment, let alone an hour.
When it momentarily devolved into, "Well, you're a poopyhead!" - "No, YOU'RE a poopyhead!" my daughter rolled her eyes, said goodnight and went to bed. I had no internal reaction to that, except, yeah I get it. Soft frustration and apathy - escaping the debate by literally going unconscious seemed like a generous and rational response.
It was a couple of years ago, but we toured colonial Williamsburg and at the end of it, a writer / performance artist had cobbled together Madison's letters and public remarks and bits from the Federalist Papers into a speech.
Which he delivered, like Pericles on his best day. Probably a hundred people watching, but I'm telling you, he had us. The energy was electric from the charge of good ideas and well spoken truth.
It was beautiful, it was inspiring, and a reminder of what this kind of expression can be. I know Madison died at some point, but what the hell happened? Aren't there any Madisons creeping around that we can trick into running for office?
Your reaction to the debate was shared by literally everyone who watched it. We have to find a way to do better.
Your point about Lincoln's synthesis is enlightening. But I'm just glad you posted the video for the MegaMan rankings.
In all fairness re: Lincoln v Douglas--they weren't restricted to delivering their entire message in five minutes. Granted, I couldn't listen to even five minutes of a Biden comment, let alone an hour.
Brilliant. Thank you.