Tag Archives: George Lakoff

New Feature: What I’m Reading, Watching, Thinking

What I’m Reading, Watching, Thinking:

Update September 26, 2012

This is a bit of a diary entry, also serving to highlight or publicize books and movies, events, my work, what have you. I’m sincerely trying not to post political missives in this season of hyperpartisanship – look to Facebook updates for those.

So, what have I been reading:

Something now which I really enjoyed and would recommend for anyone who likes smart, campy humor and essays, in the same vein as David Sedaris (also his sometime mentor and collaborator, but maybe not quite as sidesplitting) or Augusten Burroughs (but maybe a little deeper). This was David Rakoff‘s Half Empty, 10 essays on various subjects ranging from the trials of the publishing business to visits to dream factories to cancer. And that last one, riveting and humorous, deeply human –  it’s what took him earlier this year, at age 47. It was the memorials on NPR surrounding his death that led me to this book – I wished I’d found his work sooner, but there’s more, including two other books of essays, “Fraud” and “Don’t Get Too Comfortable,” which I look forward to reading.

Also, (and not to get political but. . .) still working on George Lakoff and Elizabeth Welling’s Little Blue Book, a handbook on ways to promote progressive values via language. Hopefully some of that will find its way into my more opinionated pieces. Definitely worth considering if progressive rhetoric is of interest to you!

After going through the case in detail through blood reports and imaging scans the medical spe cheap viagra tablett can provide the perfect cure for erectile dysfunction. This article will viagra uk online discuss some of the known treatment for kids with autism. Causes of Anorexia There is no definite cause lack of the power to recover after an illness or during a stressful situation not feeling fully awake even after a few of hours once you’ve got up from sleep in the morning viagra sans prescription see that now feelings of helplessness and sluggishness a resurrection of energy in the late evening Recommended Diet For Adrenal Fatigue By consuming the right foods to fight adrenal dysfunction you. Dark chocolate cialis cheap canada is among the best foods known to enhance male sexual power to develop healthy erections in the bed. What I’ve Been Watching:

I’m a loyal fan, that’s why I guess I’m now viewing the 8th and final season of Entourage via Netflix DVD. After viewing the first four episodes, I’d say the series is going into some darker places yet again and I think that’s good for it. I’ve mainly been interested in the series for its portrayal of the business side of Hollywood, since I did work in that part of the industry and found the depictions of studio execs and agents fairly hysterical (and so right on the money – I would not have been a viewer if it were not for Jeremy Piven). I know less and care less about movie stars, especially straight fictional movie stars, however, I always did think that to rise to the level of where Entourage’s “star” (Vincent Chase, played by the capable Adrian Grenier) is, he’d have to be more of an asshole than depicted in, say, the first five seasons at least. Now he’s more human, more calculating, and for me, more real. Some viewers might find that less appealing but I like the honesty.

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A Framing Memo for Occupy Wall Street

 

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George Lakoff’s Framing Memo

I’d been thinking about posting the link to George Lakoff’s take on frames for OWS for some time, but I think it’s especially good now, when the movement is not only changing but gaining momentum.

I’ve been a student of Lakoff for awhile now, and he’s someone to pay attention to if you haven’t. He’s a master communicator, and has explained the processes by which we talk about politics in this country very well.

Definition of Frames: Frames are part of competing moral systems that are used in political discourse and in charting political action.

He understands that the Right has done a freaking fantastic job of framing their positions over the past 30 years. Their authoritarian reason for being lends itself to this – i.e., the strong “father leader” dictates from the top down, and there’s no room for argument. The Left, on the other hand, is collaborative, democratic and encourages dissent – making for a much rougher road in hammering out positions everyone can agree on.

First of all, Lakoff says, Wall Street is the appropriate place to focus the Occupy efforts, since that is the place in the U.S. that funds overwhelming corporate influence in elections, the right-wing media and policy institutions.

“It appears to me that OWS has a progressive moral vision and view of democracy, and that what it is protesting is the disastrous effects that have come from operating with a conservative moral, economic, and political worldview.”

He reminds us, once again (a la Elizabeth Warren) that nobody makes it on their own. Success in the private sphere is due to the support of The Public – education, justice, transportation, resources, regulations, safety nets, arts and culture, trade policies, etc. This is the “frame” from which all OWS policy might follow. Continue reading

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