"I will interview bigwigs if I get the chance, but you are seldom surprised by people in power - you've got to get awfully damn close to get anything new"

In this quote, Joe Sacco, a distinguished journalist and cartoonist renowned for his work in graphic journalism, communicates a nuanced point of view on interviewing prominent figures or "bigwigs". Sacco acknowledges an interest in interviews with effective individuals, acknowledging the possible worth and opportunity that such encounters might provide. However, he voices an uncertainty regarding the likelihood of getting truly surprising or unique insights from these interactions.

The phrase "you are rarely amazed by individuals in power" highlights a vital insight: individuals in positions of authority frequently have well-rehearsed stories and might be proficient at controlling how they are perceived. Public figures often engage with media and have actually refined the skill of conveying messages that align with their recognized images or agendas. As such, the info they offer may be foreseeable, thoroughly managed, and devoid of real discovery or unexpected honesty.

Sacco's assertion that "you've got to get extremely damn near to get anything new" emphasizes the value of deep, sustained engagement with these figures, recommending that surface-level or transactional interactions are unlikely to yield fresh insights. This point of view underscores the obstacle of penetrating the protective barriers that powerful people might erect. It indicates the requirement of building trust, investing significant time and effort, and possibly utilizing distinct methods to discover the underlying realities or lesser-known elements of their narratives.

Through this reflection, Sacco implicitly contrasts the experiences of interviewing those in power with more grassroots or ground-level perspectives. He recommends that often, stories that are unknown or point of views that are less mainstream might offer richer, more surprising insights. His approach to journalism, therefore, seems to advocate for a well balanced method, where engaging with daily individuals can be as revealing, if not more so, than talking to those at the top. In essence, the quote talks to the journalistic pursuit of credibility and the complexities associated with unwinding the stories behind those who wield considerable influence.