In the Flesh

As I was driving home this evening, I listened to a rebroadcast of the wonderful On Point NPR program. Today's topic (2nd hour) was George Dawes Green, who founded a storytelling club known as "The Moth." At one point in the show a caller mentioned that he had been taking part in a group similar to 'The Moth." He remarked that those storytellers whose stories revolved around their successes tended to fall flat; audiences, however, hung on every word of those who shared stories---well told, naturally--- of personal humiliation and failure.

www.onpointradio.org/2010/07/storytelling

This comment begged the questions in my mind: does the sound-bite culture lend itself, and thuse reward, shameless boasters? Does such ridiculous grandstanding fail in the presence of a live audience, which can see the raconteur as a fellow in the flesh and thus criticize him more harshly? It is, after all, much easier to manipulate the message in sound-bite form than it is when the audience can hurl rotten tomatoes at you. Live audiences call for a measure of humility and a bit of common touch.

Do soundbites beget pompous asses?