Try Tyler Cowen’s Marginal Revolution string for a time lapse set of snaps on the Sarah Palin phenomenon.

It starts with the failure of prediction markets to anticipate McCain’s choice of  VP. Sophisticated discussion about the information impounded in a prediction market’s pricing, segues into gossip. By the end of the string, still going strong, after 15 days, it has become a platform for good ol boys, and gun nuts., or had when I last looked.

Then I got trapped into watching Fox’s 9/11 Presidential forum with extended interviewing of McCain and Obama. Trapped by awe at the respect for  intelligence (of subjects and viewers) in the programme, the skills of both candidates and longing for something similarly dignified here.