In “The Image,” published 2 yrs after the first televised presidential debates, Daniel Boorstin points out they were modeled on the popular quiz shows of the era. Quiz shows waned, but the format lives on in debates, which DB identifies as a key instance of a “pseudo-event.”

Democrats excited about Kamala debating Pence (mysteriously since the only time she did “well” in a primary debate was when she all but called her current running mate racist) are revealing the sort of politician they want is the grown up version of the 50s “whiz kid.”

One thing we might have hoped 2016 accomplished was ending the farce of this stupid, pointless charade, which Boorstin saw through at its origin. But the demand for “pseudo-events” sadly ensures that it will persist.