One journalist has a few words of advice for his colleagues:
For your own sake, and that of the republic for which you allegedly work, wipe off your chins and regain your composure. I didn’t vote for him either, but Trump won. Pull yourselves together and deal with it, if you ever want to be taken seriously again.
What kind of president will Trump be? It’s a tad too early to say, isn’t it? The media are supposed to tell us what happened, not speculate on the future. But its incessant scaremongering, the utter lack of proportionality and the shameless use of double standards are an embarrassment, one that is demeaning the value of the institution. The press’ frantic need to keep the outrage meter dialed up to 11 at all times creates the risk that a desensitized populace will simply shrug off any genuine White House scandals that may lie in the future (or may not).
Hysteria is causing leading media organizations to mix up their news reporting with their editorializing like never before, but instead of mingling like chocolate and peanut butter the two are creating a taste that’s like brushing your teeth after drinking orange juice.
It's certainly good advice, but it will also almost certainly be ignored. At least Kyle Smith can say he tried.
The news media has done incalculable harm to itself throughout this election cycle (and well before it too), but it seems quite fixated on further clueless self-immolation.
Fascinating read. Here's a bit of it:
"... your bad guys need to be great. They need to be so interesting that they potentially upstage your good guys. Hans Gruber versus John McClane. I’m rooting for McClane, but Hans steals every scene with his casual, clever villainy (best Christmas movie ever, by the way). "
If you don't think Die Hard is a Christmas movie, then I have nothing to say to you.
It *is* graduation season. Take a look at these addresses to the Class of 2014:
Good ideas, including (a) tossing out ponderous standard textbooks, and (b) focusing on clarity, clarity, clarity.
Graciousness is an endangered trait these days, and I am all for bringing it back. This is excellent stuff here and valuable life advice. A bit of it:
Remember that the only representation of you, no matter what your station, is you — your presentation, your demeanor. You simply must attend. Stand when someone enters the room, especially if you are lowly and he is the boss, and even if the reverse is true. Look them in the eye. Ask yourself: Does anybody need an introduction? If so, before you say one word about business, introduce them to others with pleasure in your voice. If you can't muster enthusiasm for the people you happen upon in life, then you cannot be gracious. Remember, true graciousness demands that you have time for others.
A friend of mine once said that there are really two commandments in life: (1) Be Cool, and (2) Don't Be A Jerk. Being gracious and courteous is, I'll argue, part of being cool.
In terms of looking at China's foreign policy, consider these also the quotes of the day:
“Chinese assertion has backfired,” says Andrew Carr, an expert on Asia-Pacific security at the Australian National University in Canberra.
“They don’t see the connection between upping the tempo on the maritime operations and the fact that so many countries in the region are moving towards the very counter-containment strategies Beijing doesn’t want,” says Michael Green, former Asia director at the National Security Council ...
Seriously, what do you say about a course of action that makes Japanese rearmament look great even to Japan's neighbors?
In case you are reading this piece and wondering, "Hmmm, what did Mad Minerva just say?" here it is. I believe the exact words of advice to the GOP were "NO JEB BUSH. EVER."
Last night I was just noting to a friend that Ryan/Rubio 2016 could possibly be the hottest GOP ticket ever. I was mostly just making a quip (the boys are undeniably cute, though - hey there, female demographic!), but maybe it's not such a bad idea to start thinking ahead. The GOP old guard has had its shot; it's time for the new generation - my generation - with fresh approaches to have a go. The 2016 election is in only 1,459 more days, heh.
That's my response to this. OK, we all know that posture matters in public speaking. Now I don't care if I sound "sexist" or whatever, so here's my bit of advice: If you're stuck at a podium, guys, you shouldn't put up a foot because it looks stupid and sloppy. Nobody should, really, because it's a fidget.
BUT if you're a girl, you can get away with it once a speech/presentation
- if you're wearing beautiful heels (and preferably have good ankles and/or great stems) and
- if you do it slowly and gracefully and
- if you don't also slouch or break eye contact with the audience.
I've done it myself on occasion for the simple reason that high heels can be uncomfortable and it helps sometimes to shift your weight on those teetering structures. But having said that, I freely admit that it's not fair and it's gendered and all, but if you're a guy in wingtips, you should not do this. (Besides, you don't have the "high heels hurt" reasoning. What's your excuse?)
Here's an actual commencement speech that takes a different approach! Here's a teaser: "... we have of late, we Americans, to our detriment, come to love accolades more than genuine achievement."
UPDATE: Video.
Centuries ago, the Roman philosopher Seneca said ira brevis insania - anger is a brief madness - and he had a point. More recently, British thespian Tom Hiddleston wrote a fantastic editorial that took a moment to ponder the destructiveness of anger. All is this my prelude to this link: Ace of Spades, usually so snarky-cool, has a serious post about anger and discourse. Do read. I hope there hasn't been too much rage of the destructive sort on the MM blog.
P.J. O'Rourke has some thoughts. Nobody wants to look at your pasty legs. Sorry. On the other hand, I am on the record as being very much in favor of good suits and the iconic crisp white shirt. Even if it's all rumpled, it looks fine. (If it's any consolation, I stopped wearing shorts in public a long time ago myself. A summer dress, be it cute-pretty or sleek-sophisticated, is just as cool and comfy - and far more charming and age-appropriate.)
Sometimes sci fi and fantasy flicks can give you words to live by. Or not, teehee! "What is best in life?"
Used books in good condition at really low prices plus free shipping! Check out Better World Books, a link that La Parisienne -- that evil enabler! -- sent to me in the full knowledge that I would immediately lose my mind, go into a squealing bibliophiliac frenzy like a kid in a candy store, and buy 3 books in 3 minutes.
Oh, yeah, you know that's exactly what happened. But hey! The total was about what 1 book would cost new at a "normal" bookstore. I.e., I just bought a copy of Ian McEwan's "Atonement" for $4 (after I balked at paying $8.45 for it new on Amazon, much less shelling out $15 for it new at Borders and Barnes & Noble ... and found it was checked out at both the university and local public libraries).
