By GottaLaff
This Jonathan Krohn kid has always given me the creeps. His delivery is way too slick:
"For the record, I am not using any teleprompters today because I loaned them to President Obama," he said to laughter.
Okay, once and for all: This is one of the stupidest memes since the genesis of memeology. How it persists in light of HandNotes McAlsoToo is beyond comprehension.
Let's review: When you give a big important speech that will be watched by the entire world, "winging it", or even attempting to memorize it, would be reckless and not too wise.
Every word, every syllable is parsed. Experts in any given field use notes for speeches. Who wouldn't?
HandNotes McAlsoToo herself should, and does, use notes when she gives a prepared talk. Memorizing that much is cumbersome and time-consuming, especially for someone who must repeatedly address crowd after crowd on any number of topics.
Nor would I want the president of the United States to spend his valuable time and energy studying words instead of the urgent issues at hand.
And guess what? Teleprompters allow the speaker to keep his nose out of a pile of papers, so that said speaker can address his/her audience directly. We teach that in basic acting/speech/cold reading/you name it. It's common knowledge and common sense. It's not exactly an audience pleaser to continually show nothing but the top of your head to your viewers.
However, question and answer sessions are quite another matter. Thorough knowledge of multiple subjects is mandatory. Answering questions off the cuff, being well-prepared, engaging your questioners all require a head full of facts and information.
A few notes might be helpful for occasional reference, although it's preferable not to use one's palm when there is so much paper available.
Paper: Acceptable. Palm scribble: Unsuitable and unprofessional, even for a 14-year-old in a ninth grade Public Speaking class.
Got that Teen Genius? You gave a 2 minute quippy intro. Political leaders give substantive, full-length, informative speeches. If you have to pat yourself on the back for getting through 120 seconds without a teleprompter, then maybe you should brush up on your memorization skills... and your stand-up routines.
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