Instant Expert

This morning as I woke up CBC was reporting on a story involving a variety of inappropriate constituency expenditures outlined by the Nova Scotia Auditor General in a recently released report. As I listened to this story I was struck by the similarities between this instance of constituency allowance abuse and some of those abuses uncovered in Newfoundland a few years ago. As much as the story struck me as worth following and in my general area of interest I ended up just going about my day as normal.

At about 12:30, while taking a break from my coffee and newspaper, I noticed that I had received an email from one of my professors. In the email it was suggested that I might consider thinking about writing something on the topic given its clear relationship to my recently completed Masters thesis (which looked at the connection between the responses to constituency allowance spending scandals in Saskatchewan and Newfoundland). As much as I was somewhat disinclined to engage myself in such activities I soon realized that the only good reason I had not for taking up such a suggestion was laziness (and that I didn't know what I might write).

Anyway, shortly after reading the email I was at work one my interpretation of an editorial/opinion piece that I was thinking of submitting to the local daily. Not too long after finished the main body of work associated with this self-assigned project I received a phone call from the local CBC radio station, they were interested in talking to me about my take on the scandal (they had received my number from the professor who suggested I write on the topic).

After talking to the CBC guy (presumably a producer of some sort) for a few minutes he asked me if I would be willing to be interviewed in their studio in about an hour. Again, as I didn't really have a good reason to say no I said yes. This did mean that I would have to put the finishing touches on the opinion/editorial piece once I returned.

Before making my way to the interview, which was now less than an hour away (and I had about a 20 minute walk ahead of me to make it to the studio) I quickly skimmed and read the Auditor General's report. For the most part the reading was pretty easy and straight forward, which is one of the good things about such reports. Anyway, with only about 20 minutes to go before my interview I had to leave even though I was still a few pages short of finishing the report (or more accurately, the chapter of the report that dealt with the problems in the House of Assembly).

Soon after I arrived at the station I was seated in the waiting area, where I quickly hauled out my copy of the report so that I could finish before going on the air. As I was finishing the final pages of this report a well dressed man was escorted to the same area. Immediately I recognized this individual, though was a little thrown as I had been told that a Conservative MLA was likely to be on the air before or after me, not someone that looked familiar. Anyway, it didn't take me too long to comfortably reach the conclusion that my first hunch was correct, this other individual waiting to be interviewed was the Auditor General.

Within a few minutes of his arrival a staff member came out to talk to us about timing. Eventually it was suggested that we both just go to the studio and that I sit quietly while the interview with the Auditor General was conducted.

As much as I tried concentrate on what was going on in the interview preceding mine, particularly as his answers were apropos my upcoming interview, I really had a hard time concentrating on exactly what it was he was saying. Fortunately, a few of the words that he used reminded me of points that I wanted to remember (I was able to make a few good notes as a result of this process).

After what seemed like, and likely was, a few minutes the interview finished and the Auditor General was lead out of the room. Now it was my turn.

After only a brief interlude and few instructions about how to comport myself we started.

For the most part I really don't remember much of the interview. I do know that I was speaking incredibly quickly. At several points during the interview I could tell that I was speaking too quickly but I could also tell that I likely wasn't going to be able to speak carefully and clearly and slowly at the same time. I decided that I would sacrifice speed to keep the other two (I really didn't want to let any number of letter bombs drop, and as far as I know I didn't).

I do remember at least two aspects of the interview (though the specifics are somewhat fuzzy). Firstly, the interviewer asked me some great questions that lead me precisely to the places I wanted to go. It was really fun to get such appropriate questions. Secondly, I think I was able to avoid over generalizing, as there were a few questions that were structured in such a way to allow me to make very general statements that I couldn't necessarily support.

Oh, I have absolutely no idea how long my interview was, though I guess I might guess that it was about 6-8 minutes.

Amazingly, after arriving at about 4:30 I was on my way home by 5:00, which seemed to be a pretty quick turnaround time considering that I had to sit around for an interview before I went on the air.

Later this evening, after we returned from dinner, I submitted my opinion/editorial piece. As of yet I have no idea whether or not it has been received or not or whether or not it might be printed in an upcoming edition of the paper. I guess I will know in a few hours whether or not it has been published.

What is so impressive about all of this is that 24 hours ago this issue didn’t even exist (though it was clearly just about to) but within the last twelve hours I have somehow managed to become something of an ‘expert’ who may be consulted. While I am surely overstating the significance of today’s events (as they relate to my life and the world more generally), it certainly does feel a little bit odd to go from being a regular, run-of-the-mill student to someone that respectable media outlets consult for their knowledge and analysis. (Maybe even more impressive is that I have included none of this knowledge or analysis here, even though this post is now more than 1100 words long).

On a related note, if my aforementioned early take on this affair doesn’t end up being published I will try to post it hear in the coming day (because there is nothing like reading something rejected by a local daily for an accurate and perceptive take on things).

Blog-off Score

Neil: 0
Cameron: 9