Virginia Postrel

            I observed a speech by author Virginia Postrel. The speech was made on September 23, 2003 to the Harvard Club of Manhattan, at the Manhattan Institute in New York City. .
             The primary purpose of the speech was to inform the audience about Ms Postrel's newest book, The Substance of Style, which examines commercial capitalism, focusing on the apparent need for aesthetic value in modern American items such as designer clothing and gourmet food. In the book, the author argues that this concern with aesthetics is more significant than many people realize, and is in fact necessary to fuel creativity, inspire development, and enhance emotional comfort (New York Times, 2003).
             Ms Postrel stood behind a podium to deliver the speech to her audience, which numbered about 100 people seated around circular dining tables. A member of the Harvard Club spent 10 minutes introducing the speaker, Ms Postrel delivered her speech for 30 minutes, and afterwards took questions from the audience.
             Communication Strengths and Weaknesses.
             Ms Postrel opened her speech with the use of props; demonstrating that a $4.99 trash can from a mass merchandiser has the same functionality as the natty looking metal can with a lid, which costs $19.99. Equally, an empty box you could pick up for free would serve just as well. This use of props supported Ms Postrel's position that items appeal to our aesthetic nature; we make purchases not so much based on cognitive decisions, but more due to aesthetical emotional factors. .
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             In addition to providing an introduction to the author's book, the use of props immediately engaged the attention of the audience.
             Ms Postrel used non-verbal behaviors to compliment her verbal messages:.
             She was dressed in a dark suit with a plain sweater. Whilst her attire was dull, it was also non-distracting, allowing the audience to focus on the face and upper body gesticulations of the speaker.
             Ms Postrel used a lot of hand and arm gestures to emphasize her points, and was constantly looking around the audience, making good eye contact.