The Feiler Faster Thesis on steroids

I’ve been a big fan of the Feiler Faster Thesis ever since Mickey Kaus introduced it into the lexicon three and a half years ago: In short, political trends that used to last for weeks now last for hours. It’s like watching the 1984 campaign on fast forward, except that the calendar still drags on ...

By , a professor of international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and co-host of the Space the Nation podcast.

I've been a big fan of the Feiler Faster Thesis ever since Mickey Kaus introduced it into the lexicon three and a half years ago:

I’ve been a big fan of the Feiler Faster Thesis ever since Mickey Kaus introduced it into the lexicon three and a half years ago:

In short, political trends that used to last for weeks now last for hours. It’s like watching the 1984 campaign on fast forward, except that the calendar still drags on into early June, meaning there’s room for plot twists we could only dream of in 1984. To be commensurate with the speeded-up news cycle, the calendar would probably have to be compressed even more.

The reason I bring this up? The last few days, I’ve been seeing television ads for the DVD release of Terminator 3 — Rise of the Machines. The movie was put into theaters just four months ago — it was the big July 4th release. Between then and now:

1) Speculation started about what Schwarzenegger would do is the recall succeeded. 2) The petition drive for the recall succeeded. 3) Speculation mounted that Schawrzenegger would not run in favor of Richard Riordian. 4) Scharzenegger defied the conventional wisdom and announced his candidacy. 5) The number of candidates increases to three figures. 6) Schawrzenegger seems to stumble. 7) A Ninth Circuit panel tries to delay the recall. 8) The en banc Ninth Circuit unanimously overrules the panel decision. 9) The whole Arianna Huffington experiment ended. 10) Debates were held. 11) Davis is perceived to have some momentum while Bustamante flames out. 12) The Los Angeles Times springs it’s October non-surprise. 13) Davis is recalled and Schwarzenegger is elected.

So, anyway, the DVD will be released next week.

Daniel W. Drezner is a professor of international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and co-host of the Space the Nation podcast. Twitter: @dandrezner

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