Public speaking 102

As many of you know, I love speaking in public.

I think that's a little weird.

After all, most people would rather die in a fiery airplane crash or endure hours of torturous dental surgery than address a crowd. And I understand the fear; I just don't have enough of it to keep me from giving speeches.

I wonder what it is that makes people so terrified? My guess is it's the worry that they'll appear stupid or say something idiotic. (Take heart if that's you -- I've done both and I'm still here to blog about it.)

I'm curious as to whether my son has inherited his mother's strange gene. Though he's definitely a "ham" in smaller venues, he's not as apt to get up in front of large audiences. So perhaps he's going to be one of the majority of folks who would rather see Death coming towards them than a microphone?