There's a million ways to slice and dice the presidential debates. What does it all mean? What does any of it mean? How can we figure out the message?
I'll propose it doesn't matter what the candidates say. No one hears it anyway. Even with the frantic note taking they each do as the other talks, they aren't even listening to each other for God's sake. Not sure how we can call the "talking point exchange" a debate. I'd much prefer to have the process slowed way down and have each word or phrase explained and questioned real time. Both by the debaters and an audience of interested/informed voters. Problem with that is it would be way too boring for our short attention spans.
Since that ain't happening maybe another way to get the true meaning (assuming there is some truth) would be to have someone who can't understand the words take a shot at understanding what these guy's are communicating.
Bear with me on this, the point will hopefully make sense in a moment after we consider a book with a really weird name...
The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat : And Other Clinical Tales is a fascinating book about brain function by Oliver Sacks professor of clinical neurology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
There's a chapter of Oliver Sack's book called The President's Speech describing aphasiacs response to a speech given by Ronald Reagon that might be apropos given the debating season is upon us.
Aphasia is a condition which causes people to lose their ability to understand words. The amazing thing is these people's ability to understand what people are communicating is not compromised as one might assume. Possibly a good way to put it would be "what you do screams so much louder than what you say." or "it's not what you say but how you say it." Studies, not to mention common experience, show us the importance of body language and tone when we communicate with others, even when we can understand each other's words. The aphasiac has a heightened sense of this empathic understanding.
I take it to be something like what a dog can sense (not to be in any way demeaning to people or dogs). But a dog knows you are happy, sad, angry, scared or lying about taking him to the vet or a kennel (someplace it doesn't like) no matter what words you use to try and convince it otherwise. I think young children have that sense too. A baby can tell if you are scared....or maybe even if you can't be trusted. Not so sure about that trust part. But I think anyone who is liked by kids and dogs is probably okay in my book.
Maybe not presidential material or suitable for any political office but okay by me.
Don't wan't to over-generalize but I believe in some sense it's fair to say a propensity for telling the truth is probably not a valued asset in high level executives in politics or business. A willing suspension of disbelief is probably more valuable as in, "I know (or knew) what I'm saying is a crock but now I believe it to be true." It being whatever will get me elected, re-elected, a stock option package disconnected from my company's performance, humoungous salary, corporate jet, keep me in good graces with the good old boys...etc etc etc.
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Oliver Sacks also wrote the book Awakenings that was made into the movie Awakenings (1990) about the miraculous of (but sadly temporary) cure of catatonic patients by giving them L-Dopa.
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On the topic of politics, I got this little story recently in my email -
Balance in All Things
Once upon a time, God was missing for six days. Eventually, Michael, the archangel, found him, resting on the seventh day. He inquired of God. "Where have you been?"
God sighed a deep sigh of satisfaction, and proudly pointed downwards through the clouds, "Look, Michael. Look what I've made."
Archangel Michael looked puzzled, and said, "What is it?"
"It's a planet," replied God, "and I've put Life on it. I'm going to call it Earth and it's going to be a great place of balance."
"Balance?" inquired Michael, still confused. God explained, pointing to different parts of earth. "For example, northern Europe will be a place of great opportunity and wealth, while southern Europe is going to be poor. Over there I've placed a continent of white people, and over there is a continent of black people. Balance in all things," God continued pointing to different countries. "This one will be extremely hot, while this one will be very cold and covered in ice."
The Archangel, impressed by God's work, then pointed to a land area and said, "What's that one?"
"Ah," said God "That's Washington State, the most glorious place on earth. There are beautiful mountains, rivers and streams, lakes, forests, hills, plains, and coulees. The people from Washington State are going to be handsome, modest, intelligent, and humorous, and they are going to be found traveling the world. They will be extremely sociable, hardworking, high achieving, and they will be known throughout the world as diplomats, and carriers of peace."
Michael gasped in wonder and admiration, but then proclaimed, "What about balance, God? You said there would be balance."
God smiled, "There is another Washington...wait until you see what I put there!"
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All jokes aside, I thank goodness we can tell jokes and critique our elected officials. We live in a great and free nation. Democracy beats out any other form of government far and away. Part of living in a Democracy means citizens need to be vigilant to ensure we keep our right to think as we choose and elect those who best represent our philosophies. Turn off the TV once in awhile. Pick up a book. Read something radical or at least different. If you watch Fox balance it out with the Daily Show or Village Voice or something. Be informed. Make up your own mind. Our diversity makes us strong.
