Comments on: No Smoking in This Filled Room http://www.vqronline.org/blog/2008/08/28/smoke-free-room/ A National Blog of Literature & Discussion Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:20:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Gregg http://www.vqronline.org/blog/2008/08/28/smoke-free-room/#comment-2525 Gregg Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:44:24 +0000 http://www.vqronline.org/blog/?p=450#comment-2525 I've become ambivalent about the scripted nature of modern conventions. I too wish that the parties presented themselves as more dynamic and diverse coalitions rather than the standard partisan fare. However, there is something comforting in knowing that the conventions is scripted. People claim to long for spontaneity, but feel disappointed when they don't get a good show with a hollywood ending (where the hero wins in the end and the music piped in at the end while they roll the credits). It also allows reporters of the major newspapers to file their stories prior to actually witnessing the speeches, assured that they know exactly what the keynotes speaker will say. The ability to see the future is an underappreciated power. Regardless of your inability to see into the future, I appreciate VQR's campaign coverage. Covering what you've actually seen is a lost art. I’ve become ambivalent about the scripted nature of modern conventions. I too wish that the parties presented themselves as more dynamic and diverse coalitions rather than the standard partisan fare. However, there is something comforting in knowing that the conventions is scripted. People claim to long for spontaneity, but feel disappointed when they don’t get a good show with a hollywood ending (where the hero wins in the end and the music piped in at the end while they roll the credits). It also allows reporters of the major newspapers to file their stories prior to actually witnessing the speeches, assured that they know exactly what the keynotes speaker will say. The ability to see the future is an underappreciated power.

Regardless of your inability to see into the future, I appreciate VQR’s campaign coverage. Covering what you’ve actually seen is a lost art.

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