Yossi Gestetner

Can you, dear reader, tell me for what reason you read political columns; watch clips of pundits, and listen to talk show hosts?

I am not joking here at all. While walking today on the street I was thinking about the millions of dollars that are spent annually for punditry, and opinion writing. In fact, I spent and spend money for it, and thanks to God, I get paid for writing columns. But I do wonder what do we as readers, listeners and viewers want to gain from all this.

When we don’t get stuffed with stupidities from Leftist commentators who rehash talking points, nothing happens. But do things change in our lives when we listen to Rush making a good statement? What would we lose out when we don’t hear a Levin rant, or a dumb-head making a fool of himself during Sean’s man-on-the-street? I am a great fan of all these guys, especially Rush, but I really wonder what is the end-goal to those listening to hosts, or reading columnists.

Maybe politics and current events to most people is just a sport, so they like to be busy with it during the day, just for joy. Maybe listening to Rush makes people use their heads to absorbs his Perlis of Wisdom, and that is why people like it. Or perhaps, reading a good column makes a person happy that someone with a microphone echoes to the broader public points that they, the readers, want to get out there.

I really wonder what those on the receiving end, such as listens, viewers, and most relevant to me: readers want to get from writers and commentators. Please share your thoughts as a comment below this column, or email me at Yossi@yossigestetner.com.