Full disclosure here:  I have not really ever watched much of the national conventions, for either party.

But yesterday, a friend observed something obviously different about the virtual gatherings:  they no longer have a live audience which responds.  This year, the politicians can present their ideas directly, with no interruptions.  There is no speaking around the applause from the audience.  It’s just a direct conversation (well, as direct as we can get via taped speeches). 

For all the U.S. voters who have longed for a purer form of a candidates’ presentation of their ideas… congratulations!  Take this “silver lining” and listen to your heart’s content! 

(Personally, I like the other political “silver lining”, too:  less commercials!)