Trial Balloon.
Noun[edit]
trial balloon (plural trial balloons)
- (idiomatic) An idea, suggestion, or prospective action, product, etc. offered to an audience or group in order to test whether it generates acceptance or interest.
I believe one of the reasons for this meeting, where some 3/4 million sheeples were all listening to the same thing -- economics! Just think of the $$$ that can be saved to, in turn, place it into a contribution box. Little travel and lodging, large hall and parking rentals. Perhaps most important -- consistency of message -- where speakers in various geographical areas can't inject their own agenda between the lines of the prepared script. Recall the now embarrasing "Alive in '75" rants back in the day? All spouted from District Assembly gatherings.
Based on this trial balloon, or test, future large gatherings can be planned. One thing that may be lacking is the interaction of the sheeples at the larger gatherings -- but they can partially satisfy that via technology. Using between-sessions video moments of those in attendance (not necessarily live, but captured snippetss for later display) and displayed by large UHD LED monitors, I can hear the oohs and aahhs now. "Isn't the Society making wonderful use of our money?"
Len
ps: OOPS! This was basically said on the prior page. Please forgive me as this is a huge thread.