So, the site is back, Stewart is gone, and the strange reality show that is the Trump campaign rolls on. Life is a very interesting miracle and one that has brought many new things to think about and consider. I failed to watch the debate tonight, but I saw the highlights and the resulting discussion on the news channels. What is interesting about the entire situation from a sociological perspective is the role of ‘buzz’ and black and white thinking in the political election system. The news heads are talking about who won and whether or not Trump looked presidential and failing to capture the real story, which is the fact that this entire situation is about popularity and how to ‘look’ presidential. What are the good sound bytes? Who delivered them? How were the candidates able to explain away or make up for earlier guffaws? How long did it take for 9/11 to be dredged up?
The winner of that last one is Christie who talked about his famous hug with Obama by saying he remembers hugging the families of the victims of 9/11. He was largely applauded by the media (and crowd) for this bit of slickness. I think the better bit of news head work would’ve been to ask why hugging Obama matters one dang bit. ‘Optics’ I guess, something we’ve come to appreciate in the new political world.
Moving away from politics, I have little to say about the last Daily Show. I haven’t watched it yet. I’m waiting for the right time. I do think it is interesting to live in an era between shows–where so many iconic bits of entertainment are ending and so many more are only beginning. Letterman, Leno, Stewart.. they are an important part of the American cultural makeup. For many they served as rallying points for ideas and interests. I wonder who that role falls to now?