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The author George Lakoff is a professor of Cognitive Science and Linguistics at UCLA. He believes he understands, linguistically, how to help us bridge the gulf between Red and Blue political folk. Lakoff reminds us that there are major social problems that need solutions and that throwing up barricades built of ideological language is not doing anyone any good. If you love words — as writers do — you know how powerful they can be. Lakoff reiterates that, but also gives us concrete, practical words that can make a difference, that can change people’s perspectives. For example take the words “tax relief.” Implicit in those words is a story, with a victim and a hero who can “relieve.” But this is not the only way to think of taxes, or even perhaps the right way. Lakoff suggests we are cutting taxes short. Taxes pay for many of the services we enjoy in this country. Start talking about tax INVESTMENT instead he suggests. When we use those words we are saying, “I believe my taxes have been a good investment. I drive down fine superhighways and roads, my children get an excellent education, I feel safer because I am protected by police and fire departments. And I like garbage service (if I live in a city).” Lakoff’s point is that we must respond, intelligently, to words that skew reality. We have to find other words that can shape and mold and reorient us to the full spectrum of the issues. Read this book if you were frustrated (as hell) after the last election, and don’t have the time to read his longer version — Moral Politics. Read it if you long for a different rhetoric than we hear from too many of our public officials. And read it if you long to do something. The work can start now, and here — with Lakoff’s book. <back to list |
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