As a member of an organization that dutifully defends the dignity of its high-profile guest speakers, I find Matt Yglesias’ anti-pie commenters to be woefully off the mark. It’s just a pie. It did no lasting damage to Mr. Friedman (sadly, The Mustache remained completely untouched). To call it “thuggery” or certainly “fascist” isn’t just escalatory, it’s just plain wrong.
As someone whose two main fields of study are performance and civil society, I find the consensus in this country that the only acceptable public action is speech to be incredibly disturbing. Pieing someone in the face doesn’t meaningfully “prevent” him from speaking, and registers your disapproval (and more specifically, in this case, eagerness to show up a self-styled Man of the World for the buffoon he is) much more effectively than an op-ed in your student paper can. The public sphere is inhabited by public bodies, and the way they behave influences the thoughts we feel able to express, let alone comfortable expressing; to exclude bodily action from acceptable public expression is to resort to a dualism that I hope we’ve moved past by now. Mind and body are products of each other; just because we call them “talking heads” on television doesn’t mean you can only be a public figure from the neck up.
I’ve made this point before (including, ironically, in an op-ed in my student paper), but never for something so obviously harmless and effective as a pie to the face. Action — and especially performance — is a legitimate contribution to public discourse. Get over it.
On the one hand, agreed.
On the other, what Ezra said.
I think that’s pretty legit (other than the “it should be creative and message-driven” bit, which I think sets a standard for legitimacy that should be reserved for awesome) but I think it’s fair to consider that in a choreographed, public-speaking setting anything unexpected is a little bit scary. I don’t know that the sudden appearance of a catapult at the back of the auditorium would have been any better for Friedman’s blood pressure.
i remember when i was still in high school, i always fear public speaking engagments.`,:
when i were in high school, i am always afraid of public speaking”;*
i am also afraid to stand in front of the crowd and public speaking really cracks me up,;’
i think everyone would have an anxiety attack during public speaking. publick speaking requires a good deal of self-confidence,’”
Excellent read. I identified your website from a google search, and was glad i did. The information has helped me immensely.
dsadsadsa
i think that everyone have a fear of public speaking in one way or another “‘-
I agree
This blog is really good i enjoy to see the good efford they put to make this very interesting information and the post thanks for sharing this with us.
Really value you talking about it educational write-up. Wonderful!!
If I can do it you can do this too.
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with a few pics to drive the message home a little bit, but other than that, this is great blog. An excellent read. I’ll certainly be back.
I appreciate your wordpress web template, where would you obtain it from?
thank you for this information my blog much help to understand certain things go on like this! thank you for sharing
Awesome Blog!.. really choicest aesthetics. Did you create this website yourself? RSVP as I’m thinking of creating my own Portal and would love to know the way forward. thank you
Hi there, is good to be here. Found exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!
We have study a number of good stuff here. Certainly really worth book-marking for revisiting. My partner and i big surprise simply how much effort you place to create this kind of outstanding useful web site.
This web site is incredibly exclusive bonuses a number of high quality content, thank you pretty much.
Rather cool weblog, I will bookmark your web site and take the feeds also.I’m pleased to come across various helpful information here inside the post, we want word out way more techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing.Ugg cardy boots
Ugg cardy boots on sale
Right after study just several of the blog posts within your web web site now, and I in fact like your means of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark internet site listing and will probably be checking once again soon. Pls look at my internet page as properly and let me know what you believe.
I am usually to running a blog and i really appreciate your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your web site and hold checking for brand spanking new information.