Your post on musical choice as rhetorical choice has me thinking, Kaitlin. I’m thinking about all the times I’m sitting in a car with a varied group of friends and I go to pick from the iPod: I consider everyone’s choice, some more than others (because they might be more discerning, more difficult to please, etc.), their backgrounds, what I know they like, what I think they might like and so on.
Hmm.
Yep. That there is a classic rhetorical situation. Conscious choice of communication based on the variables of a situation, all for a desired end.
Now mull on this: Obama and McCain were asked by Blender Magazine to pick their favorite Top Ten songs. I can’t wait to hear people’s musings on this doozey of a list . . .
John Mccain’s Top Ten
1. Dancing Queen ABBA
2. Blue Bayou Roy Orbison
3. Take a Chance On Me ABBA
4. If We Make It Through December Merle Haggard
5. As Time Goes By Dooley Wilson
6. Good Vibrations The Beach Boys
7. What A Wonderful World Louis Armstrong
8. I’ve Got You Under My Skin Frank Sinatra
9. Sweet Caroline Neil Diamond
10. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes The Platter
Barack Obama’s Top Ten
1. Ready or Not Fugees
2. What’s Going On Marvin Gaye
3. I’m On Fire Bruce Spingsteen
4. Gimme Shelter Rolling Stones
5. Sinnerman Nina Simone
6. Touch the Sky Kanye West
7. You’d Be So Easy to Love Frank Sinatra
8. Think Aretha Franklin
9. City of Blinding Lights U2
10. Yes We Can will.i.am