after george dubya

[skeptik]

I don't know if you've seen British TV news recently, but it's not much better.

I do see it occasionally, but I got rid of my TV a number of years ago, I forget how many, as I thought it was starting to give me brain damage. (QED )

I listen to Today or watch Newsnight on the web, occasionally, when theres something interesting in the UK news. Presentation, as you say, has moved somewhat in the American direction. Why do they make them stand up? Why do the women wear such horrible outfits? Kirsty Wark's appalling floral top almost gave me an epileptic fit the other night.

As far a content is concerned, the Beeb, I would say, does a better job of grappling with complexity than mainstream US TV, and I'd rather listen to Paxo or Humphries interviewing a pol than any of the sycophants on the US box.

[skeptik]

Jon Snow was the one exception but I'm never home in time to see C4 News and I believe he tends to take a back seat to the young'uns these days. He showed that the best way of getting revealing answers from people is to politely lead them down blind alleys and then drop bombshell questions when they least expect it.

Brian Walden on Weekend World was the master of that technique. (If you can remember that far back!) He even managed to land one on Maggie over the sinking of the Belgrano - the only time I can remember her floundering in an interview.

I worked more Saturdays than was healthy on that programme back in the early 80's, and too many Sunday mornings because of Martin Lambie-Nairn's bloody typos.

[Ludwig]

I worked more Saturdays than was healthy on that programme back in the early 80's, and too many Sunday mornings because of Martin Lambie-Nairn's bloody typos.

I do remember Walden interviewing Gordon Brown in the early 90s, and I think he was rather unfair on him. He asked him about his plans for public spending IIRC, and Brown - perhaps unusually - gave a straight answer, admitting that he intended to increase spending. But then instead of moving onto other topics, Walden asked the question again, and again, and again, so that nothing else was covered in the interview.

I think that is fair enough when the interviewee won't give a straight answer (e.g. Michael Howard when pressed by Paxman about whether he had threatened to overrule the head of the prison service). But when the question's already been answered, however reluctantly, I think it's just unprofessional.

Still, all's fair in political journalism I guess.

[skeptik]

I do remember Walden interviewing Gordon Brown in the early 90s, and I think he was rather unfair on him. He asked him about his plans for public spending IIRC, and Brown - perhaps unusually - gave a straight answer, admitting that he intended to increase spending. But then instead of moving onto other topics, Walden asked the question again, and again, and again, so that nothing else was covered in the interview.

Ha! The biter bit. Sounds like Walden definitely wasn't expecting a straight answer and didn't have a plan B ready. Everybody has an off day.

[emordnilap]

The more I read about the Americans and their election, the more I think that their phenomenal consumption of GMOs is having an direct effect on their IQs.

alternatively...
The more I read about the Americans and their election, the more I think that their phenomenal consumption of Fox News is having an direct effect on their IQs.

I had a chance to experience it personally earlier this year. The style of presentation and editing seems specifically designed to stop you thinking. It's more akin to brainwashing techniques than anything else.

Complex issues are either ignored or compressed/trivialised to the point of nonsense. Trivial political point scoring blown up out of all proportion. All the talking points appear to be written by the White House press secretary.

Non mainstream opinion where not ignored is constantly ridiculed and given the looney tunes treatment.

I could only take it in quarter hour chunks. After that the editing, constantly whirling super saturated graphics and virulent right wing bias would start to make me feel nauseous.

'course I was being cynical but really, the two go hand-in-hand, it's all the shíte the US swallow, not having or being given a clue as to what they're really taking in.

OK, I shouldn't generalise but their habits - their general habits - as they appear to the outside world are frankly nauseous.

[Ludwig]

'course I was being cynical but really, the two go hand-in-hand, it's all the shíte the US swallow, not having or being given a clue as to what they're really taking in.

OK, I shouldn't generalise but their habits - their general habits - as they appear to the outside world are frankly nauseous.

ITYM "nauseating".

I am going to stand up for Americans as a people. I find them generally friendly, courteous and helpful in a way that is in marked contrast to the hostile mean-spiritedness of the British these days.

As for their ignorance: it is rare to meet a British person under 35 who can do long multiplication, write a meaningful sentence or who cares about anything other than celebrity gossip and getting drunk. The average American, I'm afraid, is now much better-educated than the average Briton.

[emordnilap]

'course I was being cynical but really, the two go hand-in-hand, it's all the shíte the US swallow, not having or being given a clue as to what they're really taking in.

OK, I shouldn't generalise but their habits - their general habits - as they appear to the outside world are frankly nauseous.

ITYM "nauseating".

I am going to stand up for Americans as a people. I find them generally friendly, courteous and helpful in a way that is in marked contrast to the hostile mean-spiritedness of the British these days.

As for their ignorance: it is rare to meet a British person under 35 who can do long multiplication, write a meaningful sentence or who cares about anything other than celebrity gossip and getting drunk. The average American, I'm afraid, is now much better-educated than the average Briton.

Nauseating. You're right. Or, in Americanese, 'your rite'.

[RenewableCandy]

'course I was being cynical but really, the two go hand-in-hand, it's all the shíte the US swallow, not having or being given a clue as to what they're really taking in.

OK, I shouldn't generalise but their habits - their general habits - as they appear to the outside world are frankly nauseous.

ITYM "nauseating".

I am going to stand up for Americans as a people. I find them generally friendly, courteous and helpful in a way that is in marked contrast to the hostile mean-spiritedness of the British these days.

As for their ignorance: it is rare to meet a British person under 35 who can do long multiplication, write a meaningful sentence or who cares about anything other than celebrity gossip and getting drunk. The average American, I'm afraid, is now much better-educated than the average Briton.

For once I'm going to leap to the defence of my workplace and say, there are some very thoughtful and knowledgeable 20-somethings 'round here.

[skeptik]

I am going to stand up for Americans as a people. I find them generally friendly, courteous and helpful

I'll second that bit. Especially in the Mid West.

[Ludwig]

Nauseating. You're right. Or, in Americanese, 'your rite'.

You're kidding! One thing the Americans can still do that most Brits can't is spell.

[Andy_K]

I don't think most Americans *or* most British are particularly capable spellers...

[Ludwig]

I don't think most Americans *or* most British are particularly capable spellers...

Britons are much worse. Even the average American makes an effort at using full-stops and paragraphs. It's a rare Brit under 35 who writes in anything other than text-speak. Proper use of language just isn't taught in schools any more. (I'm not sure anything is taught in schools any more to be honest.)

From the fact that most people on PowerSwitch at least make an effort at spelling and punctuation, I'd guess that the average age of posters here is well over 40.

[eatyourveg]

I don't think most Americans *or* most British are particularly capable spellers...

Britons are much worse. Even the average American makes an effort at using full-stops and paragraphs. It's a rare Brit under 35 who writes in anything other than text-speak. Proper use of language just isn't taught in schools any more. (I'm not sure anything is taught in schools any more to be honest.)

From the fact that most people on PowerSwitch at least make an effort at spelling and punctuation, I'd guess that the average age of posters here is well over 40.

u r un agiste and rong aboat spelling i r 50 un verry elokwent

[JohnB]

There are some "interesting" people in America
Legal case against God dismissed

[Ludwig]

Sorry, I am having a very grumpy day. Which is saying something I know.