Friday, August 22, 2008

style over substance

You can make a pretty solid argument for style over substance.

Style can gather a crowd.

Style can woo people into decisions.

Style, if left unexamined, can be impressive and even somewhat inspiring.

Substance takes longer.

It's harder.

In the long run it's more significant and effective, but who has that kind of time?

It's a lot easier to just put on a big show with flashing lights, smoke machines and shiny mirrors.

If the style attracts lots of people, you'll even get a few stories out of the crowd that will give credence to your big show.

You should put all your time and energy into the flash, the style, the performance...right?

Style 1- Substance - 0

13 comments:

  1. If you hate Barack Obama I wish you'd just come out and say it.

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  2. Thank you Brad. Obvious Barack bashing in the making, Sean. Give style a little head start, make him feel good about himself, and then crush him with substance. We see the set up. Style sees it coming too. You're just USING substance and all his positives. Substance abuse!!

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  3. Style might get attention, but when substance does not follow up, people look for a new style with substance.

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  4. i'm a fan of style. i have my own substance. i just need style. thats all

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  5. this is really interesting...
    I just cranked out these thoughts and politics hadn't even entered my mind (I promise)
    although it is interesting that you'd assume that Obama has no substance

    but honestly I was thinking about things that matter to me far more than elections

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  6. Gee Whiz. I just kinda wanted to make a joke and Brad set me up. But now I feel awful. I'm sorry, Obamanator, wherever you are!

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  7. Sean, you have the grace of a swan, the wisdom of an owl, and the eye of an eagle.

    Ladies and gentlemen, this man is for the birds!

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  8. Norm MacDonald is brilliant.

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  9. if you hate Gilbert Godfrey I wish you' just come out and say it.

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  10. Thank you Brad. Obvious Gilbert Godfrey bashing in the making, Sean. Give style a little head start...

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  11. Chris,

    You are probably one of the most colorful characters I have ever met...one of the most colorful personalities I know.

    You're green with envy and have a yellow streak down your back!

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  12. Fuller, if you hate Chris Day I wish you'd just come out and say it.

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  13. Style AND substance would be nice wouldn't it?

    Without the style then often the substance is ignored in our glitzy glam world ... it's a shame, but true, that folks need their attention captured.

    Thing is, once the attention has been initially grabbed, it's the substance that'll keep folks engaged and coming back for more.

    If I HAD to pick, I'd go for substance ... but I'm feeling greedy, can we have both?

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