Trend: Media spin on the election VIA Body Language discussions...

[YvonneCa]

...What do you think?

[slackmaster]

1. I haven't heard or read anything about it at all

Why don't you fill us in?

Who said what, and why is it important?

[YvonneCa]

3. Often, after a political event like a debate, TV pundits...

...gather and discuss the event. Then, a show host will bring in a so-called 'body-language expert' to describe a candidate's intent or 'real feelings' based on what the expert sees in their 'body-language.'

It is presented as an exact science when it is not. This was done on MSNBC (sorry, I forgot the show) after Friday's debate. O'Reilly does it A LOT on his show. I think it is a tactic used to spin their own truth. What do you think?

[slackmaster]

6. I think anything Bill O'Reilly or Fox in general presents is probably pro-GOP spin or propaganda

Thanks.

[YvonneCa]

8. Fox is not the only place using this tactic. n/t

[stray cat]

2. Definitely noticed but largely give a pass - just that McCain needs to practive looking at Obama

Also that McCains disdain for Obama was matched between verbal and nonverbal contempt

[YvonneCa]

4. Shouldn't we call it what it is...

...a tactic to spin the story to their advantage? Some people (not me) buy it as truth.

[stray cat]

5. I don't think the attitude did McCain any favors with the public - hope not

[slackmaster]

7. Thank you for not saying it's an example of white privilege

:rofl:

[YvonneCa]

9. What's an example? n/t

[slackmaster]

11. Anything

I'm tired of the latest buzz phrase.

[SmokingJacket]

10. Just a way to ignore what is actually said and to spin

the debate however they want.

I wish they'd pay attention to MOUTH language!

[YvonneCa]

12. EXACTLY. So why do we let them get away...

...with it?

[alfredo]

13. From Talking Points Memo

http://talkingpointsmemo.com

And here's another note from TPM Reader TB. I guess I'm really not sure quite how to characterize it ...

I think people really are missing the point about McCain's failure to look at Obama. McCain was afraid of Obama. It was really clear--look at how much McCain blinked in the first half hour. I study monkey behavior--low ranking monkeys don't look at high ranking monkeys. In a physical, instinctive sense, Obama owned McCain tonight and I think the instant polling reflects that.
So McCain may have given away his status as a low-ranking monkey. I'd never even considered monkey rank.

Late Monkey Science Update: In case anyone's wondering, I looked up TPM Reader TB's page at the University he teaches at. And no doubt about it, he appears to be a genuine monkey scientist, or to be more specific a researcher on social cognition and behavior in primates. I'd link to his page. But readers remain anonymous, save for their initials, until they tell us otherwise.

[YvonneCa]

14. Primate behavioral science and 'body language experts'...

...are not the same thing. The OP is about using flakey, non-science types to spin...which is what some cable shows do.

This is also not just about McCain not looking at Obama...although that is an issue worthy of discussion.

[alfredo]

15. I wanted to inject some science for balance.

[YvonneCa]

16. And that is a very good...

...idea. :7

[alfredo]

17. I learned that from the MSM. They balance the truth with weird shit.

[samsingh]

18. i don't know