How Not to Think of an Elephant?

[patrice]

I've been wrong. I thought the facts were more important than anything, and what you need to do is get the right facts and then be strong enough to be heard through all of the hub-bub (although I've never been comfortable with the idea of being that aggressive). I've said things like take their language and beat them up with it (to show at least others how wrong they are).

I will change.

I will begin by applying what Lakoff says to what I say here on the DU.

Later.

[brainshrub]

1. It's amazingly effective.

Lakoff is a genius.

Don't be fooled: Framing is not about quick catch-phrases and marketing; It's a science with roots in psychology, linguistics, history and sociology. You don't become an expert in this system without reading, practice and discussion.

I suggest you start visiting The Rockridge Institute to continue your education on framing.

[patrice]

3. Thanks very much. I will.

I have always felt that I could pretty much think on my own, so I've not read much from the strategists (until this last year that is).

I've been going around everywhere to all different kinds of groups and asking them why we don't work together more. It's frustrating; people nod and agree, but still don't integrate, because there is no agreed upon process for how to work together. I'm glad to find something that begins to identify how.

[brainshrub]

5. Self Deleted.

Self deleted because it has nothing to do with framing.

[xxqqqzme]

2. yes, DU is a great place

2 practice 're-framing'. See how it works 4 U, fine tune it B4 taking it on the road.


Heard Lakoff @ a lecture in LA last January. I realized, while listening 2 him, that our founding documents - Declaration of Independence and the Constitution - are nurturing documents. This couintry was not founded by 'strict fathers'.

[sandnsea]

4. They sell illusions

Caring about the unborn and braindead is translated to caring about the "most vulnerable", so how much more do they care about me. (not at all) Fighting regulation appeals to people who are feeling regulated, but it isn't those regulations they're removing. 2nd Amendment gives the illusion they'll die for the Constitution, but they don't even want the rest of it. We all know spreading democracy is an illusion.

It's all illusion and the facts don't matter.

[brainshrub]

7. Jon Stewart said it best:

(Paraphrasing) "The Schiavo case shows just how far you have to go to before Republicans will care about your heath-care. If little Johnny has diabetes or athma... fuck him."

The actual quote is in http://www.edwardsdavid.com/BushVideos/dailyshow_schiavo_congressional_meddle_050321-56-01.rm">this video.

[sharonking21]

6. It's harder than it sounds

I've been trying it but am never sure I have it right.

Not sure I completely agree with him on all of his characterizations--the nurturing parent thing, in my gut, doesn't stand up quite as well as does the reverse.

But he is soooo correct about the importance of the way you say things.

Sometimes I think we should stick our fingers in our ears as to what the Republicans are saying, stop refuting them, and develop our own gripping message.

This too is difficult, both on the issue of not listening and refuting and on the issue of developing our own message. This forum would be a great place to try to develop ours, but we often get bogged down in insults etc.

Also, we do tend to be more fact-based or reality-based (and I am particularly so due to my background). I don't think we have to completely give this up--just come to some kind of loose consensus about what we stand for and then articulate it in a gripping way.

Easily said, however: my first reaction is to pile on the facts, 'mam! Perhaps we can find a way to turn this to our advantage by couching reality-based thinking as an important value of the Democratic Party and our founding fathers?

[CrispyQ]

8. Also contribute to the DU Frame the Debate Group:

located here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=252

Looking forward to your input!

[patrice]

10. Thank you Crispy. I like your avatar.

I've added the Framing Group to my forums and will return when I have some question or whatever, but first I'm going to re-read Lakoff's book and take notes.

[XemaSab]

9. Moral Politics

is an amazing book. Expands a LOT on DTOAE.

[Nickster]

11. Got my copy coming from Amazon and the companion DVD to DTOAE

[rman]

12. You make it sound like it's a bad thing.

As Lakeoff points out, we all use framing all the time as we speak. There'd be no communication without "frames of reference" to the words and concepts we use in language.

Of course framing can be used to deceive, RW-ers are very good at that.

But there's no reason why you could not get the facts and then put some thought and deliberation into how you frame those in order to present it effectively.
Frame the facts effectively, so that the truth can come out.