The Most Sublime Speech This Year

The ancients came up with the notion of the sublime—speech so over the top that audiences undergo an out-of-body experience.  This candidate for county treasurer achieves total sublimity. 

Update on Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at 09:02AM by Figaro

Was the speech ironic or not? Most pundits seem to think it was genuine and heartfelt, if overstimulated. But could it have been a secret Chris Farley tribute? Figarists decide!

Comments

[Sagita]

I thought "sublime" meant "wonderful," as in "full of wonders."

[Figaro]

The rhetorical sense is different, and more difficult. An ancient document attributed to Cassius Longinus "elevates" the audience. "...uplifted with a sense of proud possession, we are filled with joyful pride, as if we had ourselves produced the very thing we heard."

[Figaro]

I probably should add the five factors that contribute to the sublime, according to Longinus:

1. Artful manipulation of the audience's emotions.
2. Lofty thinking.
3. Great use of figures. (Of course!)
4. Dignified delivery.
5. Superb outline.

Fig.

[Tosca]

And you're saying Phil Davidson's pathetic speech is a GOOD example of the sublime? Do I sense an underlying irony here?

[Figaro]

Well, Figaro certainly had an out-of-body experiencing watching the video. It was so cool he had to go to the bathroom.

[Suze]

Where's this guy from? Mars?

[Figaro]

Minerva, Ohio.

[Sandy Watson]

Davison was interviewed after he became a YouTube sensation, and he had no clue what YouTube was:

"Well, I'm not very good with electronics, is there a YouTube? It was on some kind of electronic server."

[Marco]

I want this guy for president.

Pedantic politicos like Obama may or may not have better policies and ideas. But, can tell you, when this guy would give the State of the Union, I'd watch every minute of it.

[Figaro]

And when the country goes down in flames, he'll be its passionate pilot.

[Marco]

Some, mostly the sophists, say we're going down in flames anyway, like most empires. At least, we'll be entertained.

[Marco]

He could have a medical condition: http://vimeo.com/1913104

[Daniel]

I just wish this guy would get excited. He seems a little laid back. :-)

Seriously, though, this guy should switch to decaf.

[Replica watch]

I thought "sublime" meant "wonderful," as in "full of wonders." http://www.sunglassescool.com