DO you like to spout intellectually questionable waffle but want people to take you seriously? Follow the advice of top documentary maker Adam Curtis.
Sound as if you’re right all the time
I use declarative language to convince people I’m right when I claim that 1960s psychology, Thatcherism and video games are somehow connected in a deep intellectual way, over a clip of The Clangers. Sound confident and hopefully no one will say, ‘Is that actually true?’
Have a peculiar voice
It doesn’t even have to be weird like Joe Pasquale’s. Mine sounds strangely familiar even though you don’t recognise it, which means you’re too busy thinking about that while I’m talking some nonsense that appears to be linking Deep Impact and 9/11.
Play a cover song in the background
Preferably one that sounds like a subversive take on the original. This way you’ll look really clever and arty. People will then devote their attention to tracking down the song, leaving you free to waffle on about sinister market forces or whatever it is I talk about.
Distract with nostalgic footage
Is there a connection between Anthea Turner making Tracy Island and the outcome of Brexit? No. But if I play that Blue Peter footage your brain will release a fuzzy nostalgia hormone that means you’ll lap up anything you see and hear.
Talk non-stop for hours
You’d be forgiven for thinking that people who can drone on for hours at a time must know what they’re on about. I can assure you this isn’t the case. Not even I know what I’m saying half the time but people keep tuning in and calling me a genius, so who am I to disappoint?
