This is such an important book!

If we ever hope to change the vast divisiveness that exists within our country, I firmly believe that we must transform the way we communicate with one another and gain a deeper understanding of where these divides originated.

This book, in my opinion (IMO), is truly beneficial in achieving those goals.

It provides valuable insights and perspectives that can help us bridge the gaps and start having more meaningful conversations.

By reading this book, we can learn to listen to each other with an open mind, respect different viewpoints, and work towards finding common ground.

It offers practical strategies and examples that can be applied in our daily lives to promote unity and understanding.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is passionate about making a positive change in our society and wants to contribute to building a more harmonious and inclusive nation.

❤️

One of the most significant books that I have ever perused is truly remarkable.

It stands out as one of the rare literary works that lucidly elucidates the reason why we observe some individuals casting votes contrary to their own self-interests.

After delving into Lakoff's book, I have been able to engage in political discussions (or, in the case of certain individuals with whom I will never reach an agreement, refrain from discussing politics) in a more refined and efficacious manner.

This book has had a profound impact on my understanding of political behavior and has equipped me with the tools to approach such conversations with greater clarity and purpose.

It has opened my eyes to the complex factors that influence people's voting decisions and has made me more aware of the importance of considering different perspectives when discussing political issues.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in politics or human behavior.

I should start by saying I'm neither a liberal nor a conservative. I was born in Sweden, moved to the US as a child, then back to Sweden. I went to high-school in Belgium, and did my Bachelors of Engineering in the UK, and later moved back to the US. Basically I've been exposed to several ideologies and systems of government.

There's really a lot to pick on in this book. I learned next to nothing about how to frame things. Repeating things endlessly until people believe it seemed to be the only bit in there, but I'm not sure about this strategy. It's not going to convert anyone.

The author's credentials are in cognitive science and cognitive linguistics, but this book is about politics and economy to a larger part than the topics he has credentials in.

I felt that conservatives were misrepresented quite often, and the book was clearly biased when it didn't need to be. For example, I'm sure conservative parents also nurture their children, and that not everyone believes in this strict father model. The way conservatives are portrayed comes out pretty evil and as child beaters while liberals are loving and caring.

He talks about Bush and how Bush started war etc., but he fails to mention that Obama threw far more bombs than Bush did in Pakistan (http://drones.pitchinteractive.com/). This bias of only mentioning the bad on one side and not pointing out faults with their own side is intellectually dishonest.

There's not a single reference for any of his claims in this book. I'm used to reading books with factual research, but while the author makes a lot of claims, not a single one is backed up by any reference materials. Why should I believe what he just casually throws out there?

He talks about poor people are not free, sick people are not free etc. I'm going to tell you why I don't buy into this definition of freedom. The argument is that poor people are not free because they have limited options due to their economic status. There will always be options that are limited to people for whatever reasons. But if having limited options means you're not free, then we're never free because options will always be limited in one way or another. For example, can we say an ugly person is not free? It's a fact that beautiful people are treated better and get higher salaries etc., so does it mean that ugly people are not free? No, this definition of free makes no sense to me at all. There is no link between freedom and limited options. They're two different things. Being free is being able to pursue those options, and having those options isn't freedom.

He had a lot of comments about Economics, but really, I like this quote by Rothbard:

"It is no crime to be ignorant of economics, which is, after all, a specialized discipline and one that most people consider to be a 'dismal science.' But it is totally irresponsible to have a loud and vociferous opinion on economic subjects while remaining in this state of ignorance."

--Murray Rothbard

And since I read a lot of economics, I'm going to say I was not impressed by what he had to say on the matter.

My brother-in-law, who gave me this book in response to my request: "I NEED BOOKS THAT TELL ME WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON", told me that this book is a must-read for any liberal who wants to debate intelligently.

Now, before you click on to a different book with the thought "Gah, snore..", let me tell you that this is also a book for non-political people. I, for one, hate politics. I'm bored by them, and sometimes scared half to death by them. But what I really hate is not knowing what's going on and not being able to join in the discussions.

Harlan Ellison once said, "The phrase is not 'everyone is entitled to their own opinion', it's SUPPOSED to be 'everyone is entitled to their own INFORMED opinion'." For those of us who don't always pay attention to the political environment, this book provides a great look at what liberals/progressives need to do to get our voices heard in a country where conservatives spend MILLIONS on corporate think tanks and buying off the "liberal media". (Working for a newspaper, the "liberal media" label always makes me laugh. And yell. Angrily.)

This book is for Democrats, but I sure wish some Republicans would read it too. Maybe then we'd stop hearing nonsense like "No Child Left Behind" (which is also known as "Screw the Public School System.").

It's short, it's smart, and it ain't boring. What more can you hope for in a political book?

**My Recommendation**:

Wow! This was truly a mind-boggling experience. Lakoff presents, in clear and concise language, the reasons why the left is losing the framework battle in America. Everything he writes in this book elucidates why America has been and continues to move to the right, at least politically. It's astonishing how obvious it becomes when he points it out, yet it's also clear why so many hundreds of thousands of people embrace a system that doesn't serve their interests. The number of relatives, schoolmates, and people I interact with regularly who have the mindset created for them by the right is shockingly high, but it's 100% explainable by Lakoff. This should be compulsory reading for both journalists and high school students as they study politics, American history, and learn to be responsible citizens.

**My Response**:

I had to read this for a communications course earlier this fall. When I first read it, I breezed through it very quickly and knew I wanted to revisit it as soon as the semester ended. So, I left it as "reading" in my Goodreads for over a month and finally got around to re-reading it and truly absorbing it.

I'm glad I re-read it. Some of it was quite obvious, while some clearly explained things like why "climate change" is the preferred term over "global warming." My professor said that many of his students said they couldn't watch the news anymore after reading this. While I can still watch it, I'm much more aware of the framing and terminology used by newscasters/journalists than before.

Continue reading on my book blog at geoffwhaley.com.

Why do people vote against their own interests? This is a question that has puzzled many.

It turns out that it's not just a matter of confusion or misinformation. In fact, it's often because of their world view, which has been effectively framed by Conservatives over the years.

For example, Conservatives may frame issues in terms of individualism and personal responsibility, while downplaying the role of government and social support. This can lead people to believe that they are better off on their own, even when that may not be the case.

To counter this, progressives need to develop equally effective framing responses. They need to present a clear and compelling vision of a more just and equitable society, one that emphasizes the importance of community, cooperation, and social responsibility.

If you prefer civil discourse and any kind of social contract over a Hobbesian tribal future, then this is a must-read. We need to start having these conversations and working together to build a better world for all.

The statement "Too much directed to American Political campaigning to be interesting for me" seems rather brief.

It implies that the focus on American political campaigning has reached a point where it fails to capture the speaker's interest.

Perhaps there has been an overabundance of coverage, analysis, and discussion regarding this topic, making it seem tiresome or unappealing.

However, it's important to note that American political campaigning is a complex and multifaceted subject that can have a significant impact on the country and the world.

While it may not be interesting to everyone, it still holds great importance for those who are involved in the political process or have a vested interest in the outcome.

Moreover, understanding American political campaigning can provide valuable insights into the workings of democracy, the role of media, and the power dynamics within a society.

So, even if it doesn't immediately strike one as interesting, it's worth taking a closer look and exploring the various aspects that make it such a crucial part of American life.

Excelente libro como arma para debates


This is an extremely light read that allows one to understand the main arguments used in politics. The cases analyzed are from the United States, but they can be perfectly extrapolated to other countries such as Chile. It has helped me understand the motives that led the Chileans to the tough days of protests that are being recorded these days. This book provides valuable insights into the political landscape and the forces at play. It presents different perspectives and arguments, which can be used as ammunition in debates. Whether you are interested in politics or simply want to have a better understanding of the world around you, this book is a great choice. It is easy to read and understand, yet it offers profound and thought-provoking ideas.

In the age of Trump, there is essential reading that can help us better understand and navigate the complex social and political landscape.

One such reading could be books that analyze the policies and actions of the Trump administration. These books can provide in-depth insights into the decisions made and their potential impacts on various aspects of society, such as the economy, environment, and international relations.

Another important area of reading is works that explore the social and cultural divisions that have become more prominent during this time. Understanding these divisions can help us have more informed discussions and work towards finding common ground and solutions.

Furthermore, reading about different perspectives and ideas can expand our own thinking and help us form more well-rounded opinions. It is crucial to seek out diverse sources of information and engage with different viewpoints to avoid being one-sided in our understanding.

In conclusion, essential reading in the age of Trump is not only about staying informed but also about developing a deeper understanding of the world around us and working towards a more inclusive and harmonious society.

This book was an entirely new experience for me. It was recommended by one of my university teachers, and I must admit it was a rather excellent choice.

I had never read a book on politics before, and I can state that this one piqued my interest from the very first page.

At times, it might appear to be repetitive, and on occasion, it can even be challenging to continue reading. However, I suspect this could be because this was my initial foray into this field. Apart from that, in my opinion, the use of language is truly superb, and the author's opinions are extremely well-expounded.

Ultimately, I think I would be eager to read more books penned by Mr. Lakoff.

The original article seems to be a bit unclear. However, I will try to rewrite and expand it based on the given information.

**Original Article**: 2,5 de 5

**Rewritten and Expanded Article**:

The number 2.5 out of 5 is an interesting value. It represents a certain proportion or fraction.

When we consider this in a context, it could mean that something has achieved 2.5 parts out of a total of 5.

For example, if we are rating a product on a scale of 1 to 5, a score of 2.5 might indicate that the product has some good qualities but also has areas for improvement.

It is not a perfect score, but it is also not a completely negative one.

This value can be used in various fields such as statistics, grading systems, and performance evaluations.

Understanding what 2.5 out of 5 means can help us make more informed decisions and judgments.

Whether it is in assessing the quality of a product, the performance of a student, or the effectiveness of a process, this value provides us with valuable information.

So, the next time you come across the number 2.5 out of 5, take a moment to think about what it represents and how it can impact your understanding of the situation.

The central thesis of this collection, which posits that values as manifested through linguistic framing hold far greater sway than mere facts in influencing how people think and cast their votes, is both potent and significant. It is an idea that an alarmingly large number of liberals have overlooked, much to the detriment of their own ideas and worldviews. This is the crucial takeaway from these essays, the very raison d'être for delving into it.

However, the book does have a drawback. In truth, one doesn't really need to read beyond the first essay. In that initial piece, Lakoff establishes his central framework for comprehending conservative and liberal worldviews. He presents the country as a family, with conservatives embodying a "strict father" model of family governance, while liberals adopt a "nurturing parent" model for governing the country or family. This, along with several other perceptive ideas regarding political framing, are all lucidly explained in that first essay. Every subsequent piece, whether it pertains to same-sex marriage, 9/11, or any topic in between, is merely a variation on those themes, adding relatively little to the power of the first essay.

Make no mistake - this is indeed a valuable book, and it is well worth your consideration. Just be aware that its insights are concentrated at the beginning, and the remainder of the book is essentially a process of learning through repetition.