DEMOCRATIC DEBATES: LOTS OF CANDIDATES AND MAIN IDEAS

     Any essay, like a blog, should have a main idea, thesis  or hypothesis that is clearly apparent: providing proof of these should constitute the material's content and structure. Not so difficult  to grasp, right? Unless, of course, we don't have a firm clue as to what the main idea is. Such is the case with the two TV sessions featuring the Democratic Debates on MSNBC.

     The morning after the second debate one definitive "headline"  got our attention, serving as a thesis: "Kamala Harris Breaks Out." Who stood out appeared to be the idea behind  this  round of debates.

     Yet, other main ideas could have been different: for example, what was the "signature" or "identity" for those who were not well- known or even for those who were. We know now, therefore, that Kirsten Gillibrand will fight for women's rights; Joe Biden will combat President Trump, Eric Swalwell with take on gun violence. There were as many diverse identities as there were candidates. 

      Other thesis statements included the personal and professional experiences allowing the candidates to connect  with their identities: through family tragedy ( Joe Biden ), experience with "busing" during the days of segregation (Kamala Harris ) and killing in his neighborhood ( Corey Booker). Another main idea concerned the candidates' character, particularly their contradictory qualities that became apparent as the debates went on. 

     One of the most fascinating example was  Harris' demeanor as she went back and forth between being tough on Biden's busing strategy ( her "prosecutor's" style) and her time as an outsider in the African American community ( her "victim" persona ). Harris exhibited a perfect combination of intellectual  and  emotional traits. Or putting it another way, between masculine and feminine behavior. 

     Biden had similar oppositional traits: both his "self righteousness" concerning busing and his "victimization" about being misunderstood by Harris. But they didn't carry the clout that Harris' contradictory qualities did. Obviously, there were literal contradictions between Biden and Harris regarding age and race which made their interactions all the more dramatic.

     Drama, in fact, had a lot to do with making the second night's debates more lively: consider Biden's passionate facial expressions and Harris' animated heartfelt voice ( paralanguage ). It was as if we were watching a play on the stage with actors who had been coached in their roles ( especially Harris ). One of the TV hosts used the word "performance"  ( (as in 'How did you like Harris' performance?' ). And what a performance it was, even though the correspondent probably didn't realize how close he had come to describing the true interaction between Biden and Harris.

     So many candidates; so many main ideas. Complications galore.

Guest Blogger Ruby Baresch

Black and White and Read All Over

   Each Sunday The New York Times Magazine uses white type on black background for the opening page of its first feature article. My not-as-young-as-they-once-were eyes have rebelled against the strain, and I now begin reading such articles at whatever place they turn to black ink on white background.

     Feeling aggrieved, I have decided if the Times can’t be bothered to make the first few sentences readable, I can’t be bothered to read them.

     Seriously, I find it mystifying. In the June 23, 2019 issue, e.g., the first page of the first feature article presents the 2½” (white on black) title at the top, followed by 5½” of solid black, then the 2½” of page-wide text begins.

     The next two pages revert to column inches, black on white, though the pages consist of 6” of abstract graphics to 2½” of text.

     What’s it all for? To lure readers into reading the piece? Not working, in my case. To enhance the content? No again. How is the solid black empty space a good use of magazine content inches?  

     Maybe it’s all of a piece with the current trend in media to try to attract a younger audience. (Younger than who?) Often, this means shorter pieces and even less serious content. In New York City, the cable news channel NY1 has changed its News All Morning show to Mornings on 1, the latter an admitted attempt to compete with the network morning shows. The anchor (male) and three colleagues (female) sit around and banter about the lesser news items and new flavors at Starbucks or ShakeShack.

     Of course I understand that entertainment is an element in news presentation. But still.

     Is it working? It’s hard to see how white-on-black copy would appeal to any particular demographic. Far be it from me to question the Times’ business model, but the day they present the Sunday puzzles in white-on-black, I’m outa here.