I’m here Stateside, hearing many firecrackers go bang! outside. They’re terribly loud, but are quite the sight to see.

Expressions which make dismissive references to optical tricks are odd: “flash in a pan” and “smoke and mirrors” are but two of them. They’re often ways of indicating that there sure was a lot of garnish, but the meat was missing. Or in other words, “too much icing, too little cake” or any one of a dozen food-based references that lead to “substance over style”.

The funny thing about fireworks *watches a pink-and-green one explode* is: take away that noise (a “sound and fury”) and the light show, and what do you have? Nothing much, nothing at all.

So while it’s not necessarily true, more often than not, style is inseparable and synonymous with substance. No fancy restaurant would get away with dumping your dish on the floor, no cohesively-designed product’s packaging lacks the heart of what’s inside, and presentation isn’t worth skipping.

Pay attention to the fireworks, even if you hate the noise (my wife and I do).