First, when you hit a home run, quit; even though you have 90 seconds, you don’t have to fill it all. Several speakers hit home runs, waited for the applause to die down, and finished with a pop fly. Don’t be that guy (or girl).
Secondly, be on topic; the topic tonight was “Seattle ban on firearms on Seattle-owned property”. I don’t care what you think the queers are doing to the soil, keep to the point.
Thirdly, if you have nothing to say, don’t say it. Who got the first big applause of the night? The guy who said “Everything I was going to say has been said, so I’ll not bore you”. Be that guy.
Fourthly, practice. You don’t have to memorize your speech; you should, though, read it aloud a few times. Use a clock and see if you’re in the ballpark for the time allotted.
Lastly, if you are a god damn idiot, stay at home… Several of the speakers went right out in front of God and everybody and confirmed that they were idiots. The three I’m thinking of (one pro, two con) I knew were god damn idiots as soon as I saw them step to the mic.
Ry Jones
December 15, 2008
On public speaking from our visit to the Seattle City Hall meeting where Mayor Nickels sought public comment on his illegal proposal to ban firearms from city property. Pictures here.
[I’ll have more on the meeting later.–Joe]
“Lastly, if you are a god damn idiot, stay at home… ”
That’s excellent advice, but it’s self-cancelling. If you are in fact a god damn (I think that should be “damned”) idiot, chances are you’re not smart enough to know it. It will never occur to you that the rule applies in your case. In fact, it sometimes appears that the god damned idiots are the ones most likely to speak out. Hence, if you are compelled to speak, don’t.
This is of course a paradox, and your only option is to rely on the opinions of others regarding your speaking effectiveness. Even there you’re likely falling into the same trap, as the god damned idiot will tend to seek advice from god damned idiots (typically the only people who will speak with him).
Ron White, competing on a debate team, once replied, “Yeah, well Fuuuck Yooou!” and figured he had thereby won the debate. He was promptly thrown out of the debate, and further assumed that the moderators were god damned idiots for not recognizing his quick wit.
I’m a god damned idiot. Otherwise I’d have responded;
“Lastly, if you are a god damn idiot, stay at home… ”
Only the truly wise will obey this rule.