Dennis Prager argues that reaction videos and performative outrage destroy credibility and turn people into puppets of public opinion. He speaks only when he has something meaningful to say, and recalls his high school anti-cheating campaign as formative to his commitment to dignity and serious discourse.
Why would I look like a clown? I'm sorry, you mean taking—
People don't care if they look like clowns.
I mean, that is so anathema to me, I can't even tell you. I would not be able to sleep. They go, put up a picture, put up a video of a drag queen twerking in front of a child and then do the whole, oh my God. I'm not gonna do that. I'm gonna look like a stupid person if I do. And that doesn't mean you can't react to a video, but do the whole expression and the whole outrage. I would feel like I am a puppeteer and someone is pulling the strings behind me and I have this theatrical reaction. It's stupid. Also, I really endeavor in my role in public life, I want to elevate my own intellect and character and other people's intellect and character. And doing these stupid reaction videos where we're expressing outrage, I don't think that achieves that. And also, there are people who say that, they advise me, they go, oh, you should just do more your comments on something. Post 2 times a day your reaction to a news story. You know what my response is? What if I don't have a reaction? Or what if what I have to say isn't contributing anything? I'm not just gonna post, let's say, Trump, something happens with Trump, I'm not just gonna post and give some stupid comment that everybody else is giving just to get my face in front of people. And you know what? I acknowledge it's probably harmed me, but it goes back to that dignity issue. I want people to associate me with someone who is serious, who is thoughtful, and when I open my mouth, it's because I actually have something good to say.
I know it, I knew it, and I assumed it. Did I ever tell you about my anti-cheating campaign in high school?
Yeah, you have. And I was on the honor council at Harvard and at my high school too.
I believe that.
So interesting, by the way. Boy, forgive me, I wish I could talk about—
I wish you could.
I wish I could talk about the stuff that people would pull.
You can't?
No.
Even without names?
Um, I think it's a good question.
Yeah, I don't know why not. So did I ever tell you— I don't think I did, but I don't even think I've ever mentioned this in public. Not that I've hidden it, but it again, it doesn't come out until unless you're in a dialogue. So I started an anti-cheating on tests campaign in high school. By the way, it had a very big impact on me. You know how? Why? See, this I've never told you either. I was elected the president of the graduating class. So there were— we were 4 classes, and so I was— the 4 classes, their vote, they vote together for the president of the whole graduating class. I was, I was elected. And I remember thinking, that's really interesting. They did not resent me for my anti-cheating campaign. And that's when I realized something very important about myself. I could, I could in effect try to improve people ethically and not be resented for it.
Life, Legacy, and a Dangerous Mission in the Soviet Union | Sunday Fireside Chat
