Alexis de Tocqueville long agopointed out in Democracy inAmerica a difference betweenEuropeans and Americans:thereticence of Europeans to speak freely forthe record,and the willingness ofAmericans to give their opinions on a widerange of issues,even those of which theyknow little.At our century’s beginning,notonly tendering opinions,but also baringpersonal narratives in public places hasbecome a problem.The endless stream oftelevision programs that feature revelations Alexis de Tocqueville long agopointed out in Democracy inAmerica a difference betweenEuropeans and Americans: thereticence of Europeans to speak freely forthe record, and the willingness ofAmericans to give their opinions on a widerange of issues, even those of which theyknow little.At our century’s beginning, notonly tendering opinions, but also baringpersonal narratives in public places hasbecome a problem. The endless stream of television programs that feature revelations