Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Throats
Nearly all of the politicians, nearly all of the radio personalities, nearly all of the TV news-folks, are having extreme sore throats this year.
I've been listening to campaigns, radio, and TV for a long time. Listened to 70 years of radio in recorded form. Never before heard such a broad epidemic of hoarseness; in fact can't recall any unaccustomed hoarseness, leaving aside a few TV actors who were permanently hoarse (eg Andy Devine or Lauren Bacall.)
This is not normal. What's different?
One thing occurs to me: this is the first Presidential campaign since most of the country prohibited smoking in public places. The first campaign when most speakers have a very low exposure to second-hand smoke .... hence very low immunity to throat-affecting problems or organisms.
Untested theory, but has the logic of immunity behind it. Needless to say, nobody will ever test it, because it just might give unfashionable conclusions. ¶ 2:50 PM
I've been listening to campaigns, radio, and TV for a long time. Listened to 70 years of radio in recorded form. Never before heard such a broad epidemic of hoarseness; in fact can't recall any unaccustomed hoarseness, leaving aside a few TV actors who were permanently hoarse (eg Andy Devine or Lauren Bacall.)
This is not normal. What's different?
One thing occurs to me: this is the first Presidential campaign since most of the country prohibited smoking in public places. The first campaign when most speakers have a very low exposure to second-hand smoke .... hence very low immunity to throat-affecting problems or organisms.
Untested theory, but has the logic of immunity behind it. Needless to say, nobody will ever test it, because it just might give unfashionable conclusions. ¶ 2:50 PM
