Me on NPR: U.S. Jobless Rate Rises To 14-Year High
October unemployment numbers were at a 14-year high. As bad as that is, there is another, broader measure of unemployment that shows things are getting worse. Madeleine Brand discusses the numbers with financial strategist Barry Ritholtz.
Why is it that I sound so much better on NPR — less nasal, more mellifluous — than other apperarances ?
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Source:
Unemployment Hits 14-Year High
Madeleine Brand
Day to Day, November 7, 2008
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96746406






November 8th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Why is it that I sound so much better on NPR — less nasal, more mellifluous — than other appearances ?
Because NPR is a clean clear presentation platform
Larry Kudlow is trash
you are what you eat
November 8th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
I wrote my last comment before I heard you on NPR
Then I listened – WOW! Clear concise and finished thoughts – no over talk in the background,
no interruption of a thought uncompleted – no Larry K over talking you because he didn’t like
where you were going…..
you were able to talk at a slower pace, not worrying about commercial countdown monitors
- Barry – get back on NPR – maybe you could do a 3 minute wrapup every trading day at the
beginning of “All things considered!”"”
November 8th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Maybe they should bring Berlusconi on? Message to the Italian PM – and other like him – here in American, we’re all black now.
November 8th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Diligent audio technicians
November 8th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Barry, there may be two reasons why you sound better.
The first is that we tend to think about our visual appearance when in person, on TV and so on. (I’ve done this and am aware of it in myself.) So you might just be a bit more relaxed and that comes out in your voice.
Importantly, NPR almost certainly has better microphones, sound engineers, and all stuff related to audio. It’s their day job to produce voice and they’re really good at it.
Oh, I also liked what you said, as well as how you said it.
November 8th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Beware of hubris, Barry.
Guys who end up on television and radio a lot seem to be particularly prone to this fault and often start thinking they’re immune to mistakes and start talking as though they’re higher on the totem pole than the rest of the “common” folk. It destroyed Greenspan. It’s happened (and is getting worse) with Bernanke. Paulson is so far gone that I don’t even think God could pull him back even if he used an infinitely long tent-pole.
It starts off simple, with remarks that are self-centered and self-absorbed (”look what I did?” and “I told you I was right”) and pretty quickly leads to a self justifying feedback loop that destroys your link with the masses. Kudlow has already traveled that route, as has many of his guests (one that particularly sticks in my mind is Donald Luskin – what an arrogant lump of [your_definition_here] he has become).
Please don’t follow their lead. I’ve noticed lately an inclination in your writing toward self-patting. It’s not necessary. When you’re right, you’re right and everyone will know it. You’ve got a fantastic site here. You’re a great thinker and have demonstrated a level of humility that has kept hubris at bay. Please keep it that way.
November 8th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
There’s a big difference between
having a normal conversation with someone who is truly interested, curious and polite
…as opposed to trying to get a complete sentence in without getting cut off,
among a bunch of churlish, idealogical jackals on a show like crudlow
November 8th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Barry-
Though I’ve trimmed that to a third of my prior position.
Nice. A tad self-satisfied, but then who can really blame you (as long as you don’t make it a habit). Not unlike me at parties explaining my ultra-short S&P
I like the new site, but, for me at least the frikkin’ password situation was wack.
Scott in Chicago
November 8th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
They’ve invested a lot in their broadcast technology – their equipment broadcasts CD-quality sound, while other radio and television broadcasters put out the equivalent of MP3-quality sound.
Plus, never underestimate your ability to schmooze on radio!
Related to the topic of the broadcast: Teenagers, Young Adults Hammered in Latest Jobs Numbers