Am I the only one who had their mind messed with at a public library talk?

I was at the main branch in Springfield about a month ago for a talk on the 2008 financial crash. This guy giving the talk, a professor, kept saying 'official story' in this really sarcastic voice every five minutes. He'd lay out the common explanation, then pause and just smile. It wasn't what he said, it was how he said it. I walked out feeling like I couldn't trust any basic fact I'd ever read about it. Has anyone else had a simple talk flip a switch like that for them?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_mila21d ago

I get what you mean about showmanship, but sometimes you need that style to shake people out of just accepting what they're told. A little doubt can be the start of actually thinking for yourself.

mia_hart9021d ago

That style of presentation is designed to create doubt without evidence. A professor should build up your understanding, not tear down basic facts. It sounds more like showmanship than good teaching.

the_hayden16d ago

Man, that reminds me of a podcast I heard about the housing bubble. The host kept saying "so-called experts" in this voice that made you question everything. By the end, I was looking sideways at my own bank statement. It's a cheap trick to make you feel smart for being confused.