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The Koi Pond of Discontent
Don’t be fooled, stirring a feeding frenzy is not meaningful accomplishment
Koi ponds are supposed to be peaceful places, both as decorative landscaping and as places for reflection and peaceful mediation. The koi themselves, elevated to a higher place of respect than their fellow carps, are beautiful if somewhat persnickety creatures who exist mostly to look pretty and eat on command. It’s living, breathing, peaceable entertainment.
But dump enough food in the tranquil waters of the koi pond, and you will get a feeding frenzy. They can’t help themselves.
We have two narratives in the news cycle that are only there because President Trump has dumped them into the waters to create a feeding frenzy. And like the colorful carp of the koi pond, the commentariat and media cannot help but swarm at the splashes.
For the umpteenth time, President Trump has publicly swiped at the late Sen. John McCain. He is also feuding with the very much alive George Conway, husband of counselor to the president, Kellyanne Conway. Both of these stories get plenty of play on the networks, in columns, on social media, and in the news cycle.
And neither story matters a bit except for the splashing entertainment of the political theater feeding frenzy.
