CH140 - Media Company

On the afternoon of September 23, 1976, Ethan and Evelyn arrived punctually at Barbara Babcock's residence. After presenting a hostess gift and greeting the professor's invited friends, everyone naturally settled in the living room, engaging in small groups of leisurely conversation.

It wasn't until 9 p.m. Eastern Time, 4 p.m. Pacific Time, that their chattering ceased, as the latest televised debate was about to commence.

The first to speak was a host with graying hair, who introduced the debate's schedule, the participants, sponsors, questioners, and the order of speaking. Since the procedural content he described was already well known, few paid serious attention. However, Ethan, with the keenness of a blind monk, noticed a highlight.

The debate was sponsored by an organization named the League of Women Voters.

When the term 'League of Women Voters' appeared, Ethan, who had been inconspicuous in a corner, was utterly baffled. He couldn't understand why a televised debate would be sponsored by a civilian organization named the League of Women Voters. It wasn't that he harbored any gender prejudice, but the sponsorship of a televised debate by the League of Women Voters seemed full of oddities. Setting aside the fact that the debate participants had no direct relation to women, even if there were connections... allowing an organization that influences voters to sponsor a debate for candidates seemed absurd. If the league had its own biases, it could tailor specific, targeted questions for their favored candidates, while crafting particularly tricky and sharp questions for the opposition.

Discovering the debate was already rife with oddities before it even began, Ethan's interest in the debate spiked immediately.

Helpless...

The person who loves to watch a good show the most is, after all, a spectator! His excitement, however, earned him a sharp elbow nudge.

"Calm down!" Evelyn leaned in close, whispering into Ethan's ear, "Ethan, I'll have to hit you if you keep this up!"

'???'

Ethan was puzzled by her sudden fierceness.

The next second, Evelyn clarified.

"Ethan! How dare you mock the sponsors of this debate?"

"Didn't you learn history in school?"

"This is the League of Women Voters! The very league established in 1920 that granted American women the right to vote!"

"Although we all know it's somewhat improper for them to sponsor a televised debate, you can't let such a surprise show! Especially not in front of Barbara!"

"You know???"

Evelyn glared at Ethan fiercely.

Her sharp gaze seemed to carve a piece from Ethan, silencing him.

Surprised flickered in his eyes, then, cautiously observing their surroundings, he sighed in relief upon realizing their conversation hadn't drawn attention, positioned at the edge of the living room. Although Ethan meant no disrespect toward women, merely finding the League of Women Voters' sponsorship of a televised debate inappropriate, if someone with ulterior motives overheard, they wouldn't care about his true intentions and would accuse him of laughing upon hearing the organization's name.

Ethan gave Evelyn a pitiful look. Although she understood Ethan realized his mistake, she still jabbed him in the waist a few times before turning her attention back to the television.

After Evelyn's interruption, Ethan watched the rest of the debate with a straight face. Though the debate proceeded without overt bias, the treatment of the governor from Georgia was noticeably better. Every time his opponent finished answering a question, the experts reacted much like a famous female host from Ethan's previous life, expressing disbelief.

When the questioners themselves took sides...

The debate became truly interesting!

Having been scolded by Evelyn earlier, Ethan was very cautious not to express any strong opinions post-debate. Whenever asked for his views, he would humbly admit his ignorance, citing only a high school education and a simple life experience as his qualifications to judge.

But he would add, "Even so, I think the governor from Georgia spoke better because I could feel a sense of trust in his words."

This statement pleased everyone present, including Barbara, as they were all supporters of the governor from Georgia. During the debate, some didn't hesitate to show their displeasure with the incumbent.

Upon leaving, Barbara took a moment to speak with Evelyn—

"Evelyn, the governor from Georgia is a very enlightened and wise person. Many of his proposals are made from the perspective of ordinary people. We believe that once he takes office, he will strive to turn those proposals into reality. Until then, we hope you can communicate more with your father and convince him and his friends to support the governor."

"If he succeeds, it will be good for everyone."

These words left Ethan pondering.

It was clear to him that Barbara was campaigning for the governor from Georgia.

Truthfully, although Ethan knew Barbara supported the governor, he was still surprised by her overt request for Evelyn's help in securing votes.

He wondered why Barbara would invest so much in an election.

Wasn't she just a member of the governor's team? Why go to such lengths?

Upon returning home and voicing his confusion, Evelyn explained, "It's not that the governor from Georgia didn't invite Barbara, but that Barbara chose not to join."

"Barbara published a book on legal cases related to women last year. Her views align closely with those of the governor from Georgia, who invited her to join his team long ago. However, Barbara felt staying in California might influence more people."

"In the past, this might not have been necessary since California was always a red state. But this year, they see a chance for it to turn blue, especially since our actor governor declared his intention to run as a Republican. Although he eventually withdrew, he indeed took votes away from the incumbent, so the governor from Georgia hopes to win over those votes."

"Thus, Barbara decided to stay in California."

"And if it works out…"

"You know."

Got it!

Ethan finally understood!

So that's what it was all about!

Familiarity made things easier, ensuring Ethan's vote wouldn't be filled with doubt. As the situation clarified, Ethan's interest in watching the drama only grew.

During the second debate, Barbara again invited friends to watch, and this time, the entertainment was even greater.

The governor from Georgia's opponent made a mistake answering a simple question, filling Barbara's home with laughter.

The governor seized the opportunity in a post-debate interview to claim he was an untainted candidate, a direct jab at his opponent.

After this debate, the governor from Georgia's approval rating surged, but before the laughter died down, related scandals were exposed in an article in Playboy.

The Democratic Party was in turmoil, vehemently denying the allegations, while the Republicans clung to the scandal.

When the Democrats realized the scandal couldn't be shaken off, they brought up an incident from January...

And then...

The Republicans went silent.

The fierce exchange was spectacular!

The mutual revelation of scandals was endlessly amusing!

At this moment, Ethan felt like a monkey in a melon field, looking left and right!

Ethan thought the pre-internet era lacked entertainment, but now, he was nearly overwhelmed.

Such knockout scenes were thrilling!

Watching the drama unfold, Ethan realized that while Thomas's employment theory seemed perfect, it could become precarious under media scrutiny. In such cases...

"When I have money, I must start a media company!"

Ethan mulled over secretly.

The mud-slinging between the donkey and the elephant reminded Ethan of Magnavox and Atari's threats.

If he had a platform to publicize Magnavox's patents, how could they dare sue him so blatantly?

If he had a platform to spread Atari's dirty laundry across America, how could Nolan Bushnell and Don Valentine covet his copyright?

Before he grew stronger, some eyed him for profit; once his business took off, others would surely come wanting a share.

Relying on Stanford was indeed helpful, but self-reliance was best!

With that in mind...

Ethan added another minor goal to his mental notebook, which now listed:

1. Annoy Magnavox.

2. Destroy Atari.

3. Take down Sequoia Capital.

4. Covet the computer market.

5. Start a media company...

"Shhh..."

The array of intricate thoughts made Ethan gasp.

"I'm really busy!"