Dadgummit! I'm at a decided disadvantage.

[jamesatemple]

At three score and ten plus, my hearing has diminished to the state that my good wife refers to as "selective" hearing. Well, I'll admit to ignoring just a tiny bit of oration directed my way, particularly that relative to chores, gossip, and my habits that have been described as "bad" by a very biased jury.

Anyway, I get most of my latest political information from the good folks here on DU. I can read the posts at whatever comfortable speed I care to exert. Then, I try to supplement that info by watching MSNBC programs. But, here's the rub: Those good folks, whether moderator or guests, talk so blamed fast that I can't follow the conversation. I tried to listen to Chris Hayes and Melissa Harris-Perry this morning but could only capture about one word in ten. I turned that "closed caption" thingy on but the sucker is either to early or too late or too quick for my comprehension.

I'd like to suggest that MSNBC hire a political news analyst/moderator that speaks like Walter Cronkite or Dan Rather or anyone else who speaks Texanese. How about that guy who used to advertise for Wolf Brand Chili? "N e i g h b o r,..h o w..l o n g...h a s...i t...b e e n... s i n c e...y o u ...". Think of the advantages that arrangement would provide for old Texas Democrats, all both of us. Why, we could struggle up, go to the bathroom, and return to the easy chair during one sentence.

Who do you suggest that I call to place that recommendation? I'll have to get my wife to make the call; I can't hear well on the telephone.

[Jackpine Radical]

1. SAY WHAT??

QUIT MUMBLING, DAMMIT.

[lonestarnot]

2. Have you considered hearing aids?

[jamesatemple]

5. You know, I have considered them.

But I'd hate to have to sell my old pickup in order to pay for those things. Besides, I can turn up the volume on my TV if needed. Volume is not the problem; fast talking is.

But thanks for your recommendation anyway.

[lonestarnot]

10. I find the fast talk irritating too. What the fuck is the hurry? I don't see how they wag their

tongues that fast. I find that repetitive exposure causes the brain to either short circuit or grow additional connections so that it can interpret the speaker.

[treestar]

3. Maybe the interpreter for the hard of hearing

Remembering Garrett Morris on SNL.

[Sedona]

6. yep

From a 2.5 score having the same issues. That Garret Morris bit was WAY more funny when I was in my teens and not suffering from the beginnings of hearing loss probably due to too many rock concerts.


(Harris poll had Humphrey ahead of both Ford and Reagan! Jimmy Who?)

[treestar]

7. thanks! That always made me laugh too

and I was in college then!

[Kalidurga]

4. Sorry dude...

I don't know what to say, I chuckled a bit. I have lived up north most of my life. So, I am used to the fast talkers. But, even I have noticed that people's speech has sped up. I don't know if there are any studies, but I would wager if you watched TV shows from the 50's and TV shows that are currently airing that the rates of speech would be totally different. Especially comedies, some of those jokes fly around so fast it's difficult to get even half of them. Luckily there are a lot of jokes packed into one show, but it's mostly the situation that is funny, if we had to rely on the jokes alone, we would just be scratching our heads. I don't know the solution, this is just my observation.

[jamesatemple]

11. "...I chuckled a bit."

Heh, heh! That was my intent, Kalidurga. A little bit of humor injected with a minor complaint seems to soften the conversation. I can't tell you how many times I had to watch Westwing episodes to get most of the communication. And I have that same problem with Newsroom. I know that my poor wife gets tired of hearing me ask, "What'd he say?" But I CAN hear her say (under her breath), "Turn up the volume, you old fart!"

[Kalidurga]

12. Well like I said it's a problem on a national scale.

I am positive people are talking faster now. Maybe because of technology or maybe because time is money. You have to pay for all those air time minutes you know. So, perhaps it's sort of a subconscious thing where they are trying to get as many words in as possible for their buck. I dunno, but I have noticed this over the last couple of decades of watching tv. As for the hearing thing, yeah turn up the volume, but that won't make it easier to keep up.

[grasswire]

8. MSNBC posts transcripts of its shows a day or two later

Maybe that's some help.

[Mnemosyne]

9. Try closed-captioning. nt

[BlueToTheBone]

13. Then you should love Lawrence O'Donnell

He talks so slow I almost go to sleep between words. But glad you're here.

[jamesatemple]

14. Thanks, Blue. I had forgotten about Lawrence O'Donnell.

Yessir, he talks slow enough that any Texan worth his salt can follow the conversation. Trouble is, by the time his show comes on I'm already nodding off.

I'm glad I'm here, too. Remaining above ground appeals to me.

[BlueToTheBone]

16. I too love the above ground action.

One of the reasons I love the convenience of satellite receivers is to record and let me watch teevee when I want.

[moondust]

15. I heard a little of Chris and Melissa.

Last edited Sat Aug 25, 2012, 02:03 PM - Edit history (1)

It's not just you. I didn't catch a lot of it and changed the channel.

Chris always talks too fast and doesn't speak clearly/enunciate. He needs to work on that.