don't think of an elephant

there is a great new tool out there for us all...another book for quality reading and learning called "Don't Think of an Elephant" by George Lakoff (and I tried not to think of an elephant when reading that but couldn't help myself!)

on AlterNet I found the intro for the book written by the editor Don Hazen, called "The Power of Framing" (www.alternet.org/mediaculture/19810) He highlights the reasons we need to learn how to reframe the debate, and how George's book can help us do it.

one of the biggest challenges the progressive community has had is finding it's common language...and those who control the language control the game. and the right has done a good job of defining their common language. So it's time for the progressive community to get off the defensive...stop focusing on cutting up the positions of the opposition...and focus instead on what we value and what we vision for the world.

I believe strongly that the 'anti' language creates a lot of barriers, which is why I try to discuss what I'm 'for' most days...which can be difficult one days where my focus is on all of the things I am actually very much against! After reading an excerpt from the book, also found on AlterNet with "A Man of His Words" (www.alternet.org/mediaculture/19811) George Lakoff has confirmed this belief of mine...and even better he provided some clear example of how it works.

my favorite example is this: "Framing is about getting the langauge to fit your worldview. It is not just the language. The ideas are primary - and the language carries those ideas, evokes those ideas. There was another good example in the State of the Union address in January. This one was a remarkable metaphor to find in a State of the Union address. Bush said, 'We do not need a permission slip to defend America.' What is going on with a permission slip? He could have just said 'We won't ask permission.' But talking about a permission slip is different. Think about who has to ask for a permission slip. Think about who is being asked. Think about the relationship between them."

he also talks about different ideals in comparison to different parenting models. the strict authoritarian father model which is in line with the conservative ideology, and the nurturant parental model which focuses on the progressive ideology. he goes into more details on the full spectrum and it's pretty fascinating food for thought he provides...

and now I must get my hands on the whole book to read it...i think it will be quite useful!