Madam, – Surely more important than teaching the ancient art of oratory (Alan Eustace, May 31st) is instilling the lost art of listening? It is a poor reflection on society if the substance of what is said can be overlooked purely because of any lack of charisma with which it is said. While there are few natural orators in this world, there is an abundance of people with useful ideas worth hearing.
In politics, and increasingly in economic commentary, it seems that people will only pay attention if one’s thesis is dressed up in ornamental metaphor and catchphrasing buzzwords. The article of Prof John O’Hagan (“Confidence and hope can trump counsel of despair”, Opinion, May 30th) is an exception. The online reaction to that article proves the rule.
Ask not what your orator can do for you, but what you can do for your orator. Ich bin einListener. – Yours, etc,