Impromptus today has the usual variety of subjects, starting with an oldie but goodie — baddie, actually: intolerance on campus. Fear, too. Are campuses “fear societies”? Some of them are, to certain degrees, yes. I further discuss dictatorship in Nicaragua, policing in New York, the 2020 election, etc.
In Impromptus two days ago, I discussed — what else? — Will Smith and the Oscars controversy. I asked, “What do you call what Will did? A punch? A slap? Assault?” Several readers wrote to say, “The word you want is ‘battery.’” Also, several readers said they thought the whole thing was staged. I say, if it was staged — especially in light of the speech Will gave, on receiving Best Actor — the guy deserved Best Actor indeed.
Anyway, on to the next controversies, whatever they prove to be.