Showmanship

Showmanship is the use of dramatic, attention-seeking behavior to impress an audience—often at the expense of substance or depth. In academic and medical fields, it refers to prioritizing visibility over value, performance over precision.

🔍 Key Aspects

• Focused on style, image, or spectacle
• Often masks superficial or redundant content
• Encourages self-branding over collaborative effort

🧠 In Context (Academic & Medical Fields)

• Over-polished presentations with little clinical relevance
• Performing surgeries or techniques more for visibility than for patient benefit
• Social media-driven academic identity with minimal peer-reviewed contribution

⚠️ Why It Matters

• Distracts from critical thinking and honest debate
• Can distort educational priorities
• Risks turning medicine into theatre instead of care