Friends

16 August 2018

TV DEBATES



It happens on television and it happens on radio. OK, you ask: ‘what the heck is she talking about?’

I am talking about debates, but not debates per se. Get two or three people discussing crucial matters on TV and you will hear a jumble of voices where everyone talks at once so that listeners cannot interpret what is being said. The debate, serious or otherwise, is difficult for the listener/viewer to understand what it is all about simply because all those present continually butt in when others are talking. It kills discussion and irritates me beyond words. And how rude these ‘experts’ are to think they can interrupt others when they are talking, especially if the subject is a serious one. It irritates me no end.

A debate on radio today would surely get the silver cup for unruly determination to prove a point, disregarding the fact that two others were doing the same thing. There should be a person in charge who has the ability to stop it in its tracks because the listener can’t pick out what each one is saying. Yes, I know there is such a thing as freedom of speech but, correct me if I’m wrong, surely it is courteous to let others put their point of view without fear of constant interruption.

One lady deigned to say ‘please let me finish’ but nobody bothered to accede to the request. It is this sort of behaviour that stops me switching on. 

21 comments:

  1. Valerie, there is a horrible, and mean HORRIBLE TV show here in the US called, "The View", which is composed of six women (that alternate on the panel), two of which I can't stand (Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar), because that's exactly what they do...

    "everyone talks at once so that listeners cannot interpret what is being said. The debate, serious or otherwise, is difficult for the listener/viewer to understand what it is all about simply because all those present continually butt in when others are talking. It kills discussion and irritates me beyond words."

    "The View" is one of those shows that I can't even understand WHY it's still on the air because it's truly vile.

    Great topic, my friend. And as you can tell from my comment, I feel VERY passionate about that topic as well. LOL

    Have a fab rest of your week!
    X

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    1. Ron, I hope The View doesn't venture over here. I get enough angst with our own programmes, or rather the people in them.
      I didn't realise Whoopi was still around, gosh it's ages since I saw her in programmes.

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  2. More than one person talking at a time is difficult to understand. (At least for me)

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    1. And for me, Sharon. I am usually sharp witted but those so called debates are ridiculous.

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  3. They are short time segments so everyone wants to get their point in, ends up no one is heard.

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    1. I would have thought they could be more considerate even on shorter programmes.

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  4. Agree!!! Agree!!! Agree!!!!

    Everyone talking at once! It is horrid! As if I don't have enough trouble, sorting out words, as is. And then, to have a chorus of voices. And closed captioning can never keep up, even with normal speech.

    -sigh-

    We simply do not watch such, any more. Or listen. Unless the piece is done by one individual. More than one, and constant interrupting is par for the course.

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    1. I used to like listening to 'debates' but they have disappeared in the process of modernism. Normally I ignore such programmes but occasionally the subject attracts me and what to do I get? .... a jumble of r=voices.

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  5. And even setting aside the idea of politeness, "because" it seems to be set aside now, almost across the board....

    Just consider.....

    You can not get your point across, shouting it, "over" another speaker. No one, in these shouting and interrupting matches, will ever convince anyone. They might as well have wasted their breath. Their precious message, is completely lost.

    Common sense! All of this is common sense. But do people consider common sense, any more???

    -head hitting desk-

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    1. Be careful, you'll hurt your head. Question: what is common-sense? It's not something I've come across in recent months. Move over, let's both head bang.

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  6. I hate it when politicians never answer the question on tv debates.


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    1. Do they still ignore a question even in a debate? I never watch debates, I don't think I could tolerate them.

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  7. No kidding. I know for a fact my beloved mom would not like any of these rude people. And her son doesn't either...:)

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    1. And to think they're supposedly there for our benefit!

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  8. I don't watch or listen to many of those programs anymore as it doesn't seem anyone gets anywhere. Meaningful conversation, fair time for all to state their points does seem to be a thing of the past. Even while chatting with people in stores or other public places it's a battle of who can tell more about themselves and less of truly listening. Sad.

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    1. How right you are, Mary. Seems to me that actual listening has gone by the board.

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  10. We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak but that doesn't seem to be the case these days. Take care, Val.

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    1. I like that, Matt. You too take care. Will pop over to yours in a minute!

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  11. Ah yes, the debate! People just seem to love arguing on those shows. Nowadays I avoid them like the plague.

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    1. I will avoid them in future, Denise. Rather than sit in silence whilst eating dinner I had got into the habit of leaving the TV on. In future I will check what they are before I settle on a particular channel.

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