Axis of warmth

Monday, 15 March 2010

At a seminar this weekend, I heard from political consultant John Neffinger that “charisma = strength + warmth.” Warmth is the dimension that separates Dick Cheney from Bill Clinton — or, as I was thinking, Robert Moses from arch-nemesis Jane Jacobs. That’s the juxtaposition that makes “Boozy,” wherein Jacobs snarls and Moses tap-dances his way to success, such a brilliant inversion of history.

Anyhow, another key takeaway is that true charisma wears a peculiar expression: angrily-lidded eyes with a broad smile. (My attempt at constructing such a face sent a room into peals of laughter.)