Every so often I get asked to do a video interview. I almost always turn down these requests. Recently, I gave in and agreed to do one, because I highly valued the work of the organization that asked me.
It was a terrible experience that has restored my judgment to avoid such things. After initially stumbling (not a big deal), I started talking at length and pretty fluently. But what I was saying was stuff that I hadn’t thought out. It sounded pretty good to me, but it just wasn’t backed up with arguments. Instead of a pattern where first I think and refine what I am about to say, and then I speak, I just spoke, and spoke in a manner that suggested more knowledge than I consciously had. Ugh!
For all I know, all that I said was true, and could be backed up by arguments. But maybe it wasn’t.
I think that a lot of people take the spoken word more loosely than the written, so we don't expect the same sort of rigor or exactness we'd expect from writing. My wife agreed with this thought. So, no worries.
ReplyDeleteThis has happened to me before as well. It makes me feel better that I am not alone! :-)
ReplyDeleteDaryl:
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't so much a lack of precision, as simply saying stuff that "sounded right at the moment", without thinking whether I actually have an argument to support it.
For what it's worth, I have really enjoyed the few talks you have given on YouTube and I wish you did more :) Maybe it's a skill worth building up? It can't be much worse than lecturing, no?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
ReplyDeleteMost of those talks are prepared, though, and based on years of thought...
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ReplyDeleteCameron from Capturing Christianity told me that he was going to do an interview with you. Was this that one?
ReplyDeleteHe said that all of the questions would be given in advance, with you being able to respond to them with pre-written responses. If what you did was not that interview, would you be willing to do an interview like that?
I think that thing with Cameron never happened. I can't remember what happened. I may have forgotten all about it. I can't remember.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I could do something like that.
I have trouble understanding the attraction for audio, when writing is so clearly superior for a public discussion. I guess some people are able to multitask and listen to audio while doing something else...