Michael Lewis: Improvisational risk engages audiences far more than scripted speeches
Michael Lewis · 10 Years of Acquired (with Michael Lewis) · Acquired · Dec 15, 2025 · at 40:21
Author Michael Lewis critiques the performative dynamics of public speaking and podcasting while interviewing the hosts of Acquired.
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“Do you know how your heart sinks when someone gets up at a podium with a script, with a speech, and they're gonna read their speech? The audience is waiting for you to get through this thing, because they know nothing's going to happen. Like, whatever's on that page, that's what's gonna happen... And that if you get up, and you just start talking, The audience also knows, oh my god, this could be a disaster, they don't know where it's going. Just having, just some of that has a huge effect on the way the audience responds to the performance.”
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