Well you don't become the largest democracy in the world by baking pies...

That is because America is not bound together by ethnicity or origin. We are not Americans because our ancestors have always lived in this place. What binds us together as Americans is the flag and patriotism. The flag and patriotism are supposed to transcend political boundaries. I for one think we as Americans need to emphasize what unites us and the flag and national anthem are two such things.

This is a Jefferson Lecture, "the highest honor the federal government confers for distinguished intellectual achievement in the humanities." It happens once a year.

That’s nothing.

When I was an intern acting as an AV monkey we ran into all sorts of crazy stuff.

Sucking up to people who give you money is an art form present in all forms of business.

I see nothing terrible with people wanting to make a big deal out of handing you (tens?) of millions of dollars and getting thanked.

If this was Hollywood, instead of a ceremony, there'd be a "casting couch."

The only real issue is whether you can search for, and publish results that are the opposite of the hand that feeds. And as Google recently proved, that is a problem.

What seems like you're actually annoyed by, is having to wade through comments and content that were never intended for you. (Pro-tip: Skip ahead.) I mean, should we also get mad at PBS saying "this program was brought to you by the X, Y, Z, and Viewers Like You?"?

Is the issue one of "length" or "content?" Because as I've shown, PBS does the same content and nobody complains. And if it's length, yeah, it's annoying, but we're the most spoiled people in the history of the human race if we can't skip some video being beamed across the entire planet after previously being recorded on trillions of dollars of research, billions of dollars of industry, and tens of thousands of smart people all working together in harmony to bring us a video... that could have been clipped a little in the beginning.

They should just put up sponsor banners like sports do. I almost reflexively fast forward 10 minutes now when I watch a lecture because it seems they always feel that need to give a long intro speech.

Academics would love it if they didn't have to do that. Society's undervaluation of academic research has led to this situation.

Really?

This is a Jefferson Lecture, "the highest honor the federal government confers for distinguished intellectual achievement in the humanities." It happens once a year.