Don't Think of an Elephant!: Know Your Values and Frame the Debate--The Essential Guide for Progressives

Like the development of nuclear technology, there are two sides to every issue. In the context of Lakoff's book Don't Think of an Elephant, I am referring specifically to the idea this book is a lesson plan to help Democrats/Progressives lie like Republicans.On the positive side, this book exposes the lies and techniques that have been so effectively used by Republicans for so long. Who thought politics could come down to the simple use of simple words. In a broader context, Lakoff's purpose is to guide progressives in shaping and broadcasting their message. There is no harm in this. However, I believe the methods Lakoff expresses can go too far and be used for less than good purposes.Lakoff does an excellent job of exposing the methods and lies of the Republicans. The use of terminology such as "Clear Skies Initiative" is a perfect example. While the legislation behind the pretty words allows more pollution into our air, the name allowed its passage.We live in a time that allowed Reagan to call a missile system "The Peacekeeper". I guess "Killer of innocent people" would never have gone over well.The book goes further to explain theories of why people need to buy into the marketing of the Republicans. All information is eye opening and important. While I can say this is one of the most important books I have read in a long time, I urge care in using the information in Lakoff's book.This book can be used for good and for evil. If the progressives use it to better shape their message and effectively communicate the message to the masses, I'm fine with that. If progressives use this book to learn to lie and manipulate like Republicans, then this book is more dangerous than it is good.

Awaken, understand, act! Short and easy-to-read yet deeply insightful and powerful, this book is truly outstanding and in a class by itself. In it, Lakoff concisely outlines the "great right wing conspiracy" -- its scope, its agenda, its strategy, its messages, its methods, its tricks. You will understand why it resonates with and is supported by the people it will ultimately impoverish, along with rest of us. You will understand its underlying mind-set, and how it prevents those affected from seeing the progressive truth and vision leading to a better future for them and all of us. Learn why "compassionate conservatism" means Social Darwinism and "you're on your own radicalism." Learn why "tort reform" is a rouse for the end of government regulations for consumer protection, worker protection, and environmental protection. Learn why massive government deficits are "good" because they ultimately lead to the end of progressive social programs that benefit the middle class, including pubic education, social security, and economic safety. Learn how our fundamental trust is being betrayed and our civil liberties lost. Then learn the progressive mind-set and its transformative power to achieve, through mutual responsibility and effective government, a stronger America, with broad prosperity and a better future for all of us. In this book, you will learn what you need to know and how to effectively act. Read this book, grasp its meaning, understand its practical messages. Then act! Lakoff gives you the know-how and the know-why. This is the real deal.

Spend just 30 minutes with this volume and all the weirdness of the politcal landscape in the last 20 years will suddently start to make sense.Lakoff, a professor of cognitive science at UC Berkeley explains the two organizational paradigms or frames that the brain uses in understanding societal structure 1) the authoritartian frame and 2) the nurturing frame. People view family and political life through these frames. And one's political outlook tends to correllate strongly to which of these frames one relies on most in interpreting the world.Frames are the networks of ideas or mental processes to which words, sentences, statements, propositions appeal in our brains. When statements cannot be interpreted inside a frame, the mind simply ignores them. This explains how we make sense of things, by filtering out clutter. But it also explains how magicians and politicians use misdirection to fool us about what is happening.Lakoff suggests that the far right has cleverly hijacked our use of language to prejudice our views by applying Orwellian frames. Clear Sky Initiative, for instance, is Bush language for a body of law that makes it less expensive for a number of industries to pollute the air. He has also anylized the political actions of the right and he presents a precis of their 'strategic initiatives,' issues, and tactics. He explains how these make sense inside the authoritarian frame. He suggests a few initiatives for progressives and some wise methods for restoring language usage so it is no longer divisive or misleading.Anyone who is confused or frustrated by the quality, tone, content, or usefulness of political discourse at any time since 1980 must read this book. Highly Recommended.

Excellent book.

Want to know why the right wing has been winning? Read this book. People don't vote based on facts. They vote based on deeply held believes. You win elections by tapping into those believes with the right frame and getting the other side to fight on your frame. This book explains why the left loses and will keep losing until they figure out that putting out facts or policy doesn't work. One of the best books on this topic.

Honestly, campaigns cost millions. Trump/Clinton, Milliband/Cameron, campaigns filled with calamity. If they'd spent £6 on this book it would have told them everything they need to know about the power of narrative and how to influence thinking. Truly mind blowing. Takes NLP concepts, and puts them in a political frame. The best book I've probably ever read.

'Don't think of an elephant!' is not what I would call life changing but it certainly provides food for thought.

If you want to understand why politicians are saying what they are saying this is a good book to enlighten you. And why some win and some lose.