(Untitled)

[descartes86]

Sometimes when I am disappointed by my lack of eloquence or intelligence, I think about how RFK was originally a shaky speaker or how Barack Obama was once shy and I start feel better. Not that I want to run for president, it is just good to remember that my idols are humans too and that they also had to work at building their arguments and

Comments

hilarious

[rapatoff]

totally unironically and totally not trying to be mean, my first thought was, "oh, I should tell him that Hitler was a terrible speaker at the beginning." I mean that because with some work and some training, he obviously he came a very far way to being a very rousing and moving speaker. not because I think you're going to turn out like hitler.

Re: hilarious

[eavanmoore]

My anth of violence professor argued the other day that Hitler was a terrible speaker, yet he moved crowds because he didn't speak of himself but of the German people. They didn't need to believe in him, exactly -- they needed to believe in themselves as a population, and his rhetoric allowed them to do so.

But I don't know if that's true.

Re: hilarious

[rapatoff]

I believe that had a lot to do with it. But I also know he studied oratory and acting to become more convincing, and practiced extensively with mirrors and stuff too.

[eavanmoore]

Don't think I've ever asked you -- what is it about Barack Obama?

[descartes86]

I don't think it is any one thing but rather a combination of them

[islas_j]

Who needs speeches when you have total control over the state apparatus and total, unwavering military allegiance?

[descartes86]

Touche.

[penguin_nazi]

It seems like gravitas is something you grow into.

[penguin_nazi]

By which I mean, I guess, I agree with your post.