Commonalities between "Persuasive" speakers.
September 23, 2021 5:02 AM Subscribe
I'm looking for sources of people sounding authoritative whilst deliberately saying nothing.
Some examples of what I mean.
Reggie Watts doing a ted talk.
Any Turboencabulator. (here's one picked at random)
and here's a ted talk parody
Now, to clarify, I'm not necessarily looking for parody or the like, but it's potentially useful. I'd like to look at rhetorical or presentational methods or tics that suggest competence, knowledge, etc.
Some examples of what I mean.
Reggie Watts doing a ted talk.
Any Turboencabulator. (here's one picked at random)
and here's a ted talk parody
Now, to clarify, I'm not necessarily looking for parody or the like, but it's potentially useful. I'd like to look at rhetorical or presentational methods or tics that suggest competence, knowledge, etc.
Robert Kiyosaki writes well but I've always thought he shouldn't be in front of an audience, he comes off as an idiot if you watch him.
posted by Borborygmus at 7:31 AM on September 23, 2021
posted by Borborygmus at 7:31 AM on September 23, 2021
I have always called this stuff bullshitting.
Using that word may help you find video examples if that's specifically what you want.
If you want a couple of publications that examine the "methods and tics": There's a book called On Bullshit. Also a study about how people bullshit that seems relevant.
posted by RobinofFrocksley at 7:50 AM on September 23, 2021
Using that word may help you find video examples if that's specifically what you want.
If you want a couple of publications that examine the "methods and tics": There's a book called On Bullshit. Also a study about how people bullshit that seems relevant.
posted by RobinofFrocksley at 7:50 AM on September 23, 2021
I asked a question about speaking in paragraphs because this is a delivery style that I find incredibly persuasive, even if the actual content is absent or nonsensical.
posted by chappell, ambrose at 8:01 AM on September 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by chappell, ambrose at 8:01 AM on September 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
If it's not obvious, the Reggie Watts one is a bit. I think the English accent helps sell that he's imparting important info.
TED talks in particular sound like sermons from a better-trained minister or other Christian clergy. I say better trained because not all clergy are good at sermons and with practice, other people can learn it. Obvs the TED Talk people have it down.
I think part of it is cadence and tempo, when you go up in tone or speed up your speech (or slow down or return to normal tone).
There's also a certain manner of speaking that sounds more authoritative that is regionally specific. In the US it's a flat, open tone with a neutral or slight regional accent. In other countries it varies but in French I always thought Jacques Chirac captured the same authoritative bullshit sound. (sorry not sorry)
posted by fiercekitten at 8:21 AM on September 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
TED talks in particular sound like sermons from a better-trained minister or other Christian clergy. I say better trained because not all clergy are good at sermons and with practice, other people can learn it. Obvs the TED Talk people have it down.
I think part of it is cadence and tempo, when you go up in tone or speed up your speech (or slow down or return to normal tone).
There's also a certain manner of speaking that sounds more authoritative that is regionally specific. In the US it's a flat, open tone with a neutral or slight regional accent. In other countries it varies but in French I always thought Jacques Chirac captured the same authoritative bullshit sound. (sorry not sorry)
posted by fiercekitten at 8:21 AM on September 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
One trick, which is exemplified by clickbait and also used in sales pitches, is a deep dive into history. It's meant to convey an idea of research and comprehensive knowledge, but is actually just a time filler.
posted by SemiSalt at 9:24 AM on September 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by SemiSalt at 9:24 AM on September 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
There are a few examples in Reddit's r/confidentlyincorrect that fit your bill. Lots of maddening stuff from the furnace of political ignorance as well.
posted by zerobyproxy at 9:37 AM on September 23, 2021
posted by zerobyproxy at 9:37 AM on September 23, 2021
Pat Kelly of This is That is a 'Thought Leader' (previously, including similar links).
My favourite sounds-ostensibly-like-sense vendor is the late "Professor" Stanley Unwin, whose charmingly reassuring gibberish was a staple of my childhood
posted by scruss at 10:45 AM on September 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
My favourite sounds-ostensibly-like-sense vendor is the late "Professor" Stanley Unwin, whose charmingly reassuring gibberish was a staple of my childhood
posted by scruss at 10:45 AM on September 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
The past master was Professor Irwin Corey, “the World’s Foremost Authority”.
posted by nicwolff at 11:52 AM on September 23, 2021
posted by nicwolff at 11:52 AM on September 23, 2021
John Clarke and Bryan Dawe on banks
Miller on time machines
posted by flabdablet at 12:24 PM on September 23, 2021
Miller on time machines
posted by flabdablet at 12:24 PM on September 23, 2021
Machine wrapped with butter? Machine wrapped with butter.
posted by Ursula Hitler at 4:18 PM on September 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by Ursula Hitler at 4:18 PM on September 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
VXJukies is a subreddit on the technical side. Basically a subreddit full of Turboencabulator bullshit. Very funny stuff (IMHO).
posted by zardoz at 6:38 PM on September 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by zardoz at 6:38 PM on September 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
You might like the book Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism.
posted by Charity Garfein at 8:40 PM on September 25, 2021
posted by Charity Garfein at 8:40 PM on September 25, 2021
This thread is closed to new comments.
Honestly pretty much any motivational speaker does this in my opinion. They promise to unlock the secrets of success and happiness but never actually provide any concrete information.
posted by Literaryhero at 6:22 AM on September 23, 2021 [1 favorite]