That last post noting the Senate aide’s laughter reminded me of something I’ve been noticing lately–that transcripts now don’t just note [laughter] but [faint laughter]. I find this very useful, but I’m not sure I’d want the reaction to any of my (attempted) jokes recorded with such specificity. There’s nothing so devastating as reading someone delivering what they obviously consider a knee-slapper followed by that deflating [faint laughter].