There is no business like show business, Irving Berlin once proclaimed, and thirty years ago he may have been right, but not anymore. Nowadays almost every business is like show business, including politics, which has become more like show business than show business is.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The quote observes that the theatrical nature of show business has spread to almost all sectors, especially politics. Politics has now surpassed show business in its performative qualities.
- In plain terms
- Nowadays, every business and especially politics, is more about show than actual substance.
- What can you take from it?
- Modern politics and business prioritize performance over substance.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Does entertainment value improve or harm politics?
- How do we distinguish substance from show?
Another view
It assumes all business now prioritizes show over function.
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