As a brief textbook, this is a fine book that contains some great concepts.

However, it has its drawbacks. It can be repetitive, with certain ideas being restated multiple times. The content also seems static at times, lacking in dynamism and the ability to adapt to the changing nature of the subject matter. Additionally, it can be unfocused, jumping from one topic to another without a clear主线. On the other hand, there are moments when it becomes hyper-focused, delving too deeply into specific details and losing sight of the bigger picture.

Ultimately, given the subject matter, which is American existence, the book feels a little too clinical. It presents the facts and theories in a rather cold and detached manner,忽略了美国存在中的诗意、悲情和浪漫。 Maybe awarding it only 3 stars is unfair to Mr. Lakoff, who is clearly a brilliant guy. But no matter how carefully he frames the arguments, if we ignore the emotional and human aspects of American existence, all the careful analysis in the world won't save us.

We need to look beyond the clinical and academic approach and embrace the full spectrum of American experience.

This is a truly fantastic and insightful book.

It has had a profound impact on me, significantly increasing my sense of understanding regarding how my personal values translate into politics and social beliefs.

The author's exploration of this complex topic is both engaging and thought-provoking.

By delving into various examples and case studies, the book helps readers to better understand the connections between their values and the political and social landscapes in which they live.

It has made me more aware of the importance of considering my values when forming opinions and taking action in the political and social arenas.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in exploring the relationship between values, politics, and social beliefs.

Okay, I entered this piece of writing fully aware that it was democratic propaganda. However, I thought there might be a few valid points within it, and indeed, I was correct. There were a couple of good points, but the remainder was clearly democratic propaganda.

He criticizes the Republicans for constantly structuring conversations in their own language. At the same time, he seizes every opportunity to demonize them. It's a good thing that 'some of them aren't liars'. Additionally, where on earth did he get the notion that if you simply raise taxes, all your problems will miraculously disappear? Has he ever even heard of the Laffer curve? While it may have its own flaws, it does hold some merit.

Why is it that all Democrats are assumed to believe in nurturing their children and showering them with love, while all Republicans are believed to only focus on discipline and punishment? Come on...

Anyway, I'm done with this and I have no intention of reading it again.

First of all, the central topic of the book is indeed of utmost importance in political debate. The entire discussion about Framing, whether as part of a rhetoric toolkit or an understanding of cognitive science, is truly significant for anyone desiring to better combat the conservative rhetoric and establishment. The realm of political discussion, debate, and discourse is undeniably one of the most relevant fronts in political action.

That being said, a great deal of this book comes across as overly idealistic. Despite Lakoff's physicalist theory of mind, which is presented as absolute certainty rather than as an ongoing philosophical topic of debate, he adopts a very idealist (as opposed to materialist) approach to politics. His overwhelming love for American values and trust in American democracy betray a view that seems straight out of an Aaron Sorkin production, where the real battles for the future of the world are waged through speeches and dialogues. As I've stated, I don't dispute the importance of these things, but there is an oversight regarding practical actions, material conditions, and actually getting things done. It's the Democrat thing of just talking and expecting that once in power, political action will commence. But after Obama and especially now with Biden, it's evident that this is not the case.

Lakoff's lack of historical and material analysis leads to this shallow trust in American institutions and values as the true path to achieving progressive goals.

The portrayals of the strict father vs nurturant father framings as the explanation for why one would be conservative or progressive sound interesting and somewhat close to my experiences, but ultimately seem more like pop psychology than actual scientific fact. Moreover, it gives rise to some uncomfortable consequences, such as the thought that one might simply have their brain wired in a way that opposes our values. What should one do with opponents who are neurologically and biologically "wrong"?

I tend to be critical of this kind of non-fiction book.

They often read as quasi-self help manifestos for the masses or end up too academic or high-brow and get lost in their own sauce.

However, George Lakoff bypasses those pitfalls and does a fantastic job of making a clear and cutting dissection of political discourse and how it is used in modern politics.

Reading "The All New Don't Think of an Elephant!" was kind of like that moment where you make the final connection or have the lightbulb go off in your head and everything makes sense.

The widespread implications of how you frame an argument or value or principle are unfathomably enormous, to a degree I had never really thought of before.

I think I can give a few examples from the book that I fell victim to without even realizing it.

Example One: the use of "tax relief" when referring to tax cuts. I hear this all the time and have probably used it in debate before. The word "relief" makes it feel like taxes are an unnecessary burden in the first place.

The whole argument needs to be re-framed away from "tax relief" and to look more at the benefits of what your taxation gives you and the country as a whole.

Fighting on the "tax relief" footing puts you on the defensive immediately.

Example Two: I seriously thought "climate change" was the proper term. Conservatives changed the easily referenced phrase "global warming" to the more ambiguous "climate change" to muddy the water of the knock-on effects of rising global temperatures.

Lakoff talks a lot more about where we are at currently with issues of political framing (or as currently as 2014) and goes into strategies of where to go from here.

I highly recommend this for any progressive reader pushing for change.

Everything written in the book just makes sense and the structure and pacing of the book make it a breezy read for a heavy subject.

The fundamental book for understanding how the conservative ideology works and its technique for winning the narrative and imposing its mental framework on the political adversary.

Written during the full Bush era, but which continues to maintain its relevance in the full era of the rise of the far right.

This book offers valuable insights into the inner workings of the conservative ideology. It delves into the strategies and tactics employed by conservatives to shape public opinion and gain an upper hand in political disputes.

Despite being written some time ago, its teachings remain highly applicable in the current climate, where the far right is on the ascent.

By studying this fundamental work, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the conservative mindset and how it influences political discourse. It serves as a guide for those seeking to engage with and challenge the conservative ideology in a meaningful way.

Whether you are a political analyst, a student of politics, or simply someone interested in understanding the dynamics of power and ideology, this book is a must-read.

It provides a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of the conservative ideology and its techniques, making it an essential resource for anyone looking to navigate the complex world of politics.

As a progressive, I was truly disheartened by the information presented in this book.

The Conservative machine seems to be unassailable, which is a rather concerning situation.

Lakoff is an established expert in this particular field, and I have a great deal of trust in his expertise.

To further explore and understand the concepts he presents, I am now listening to his podcast FrameLab.

This podcast offers valuable insights and discussions that I hope will help me better navigate and respond to the challenges posed by the Conservative machine.

By listening to Lakoff's podcast, I aim to gain a deeper understanding of the strategies and frames used by the Conservatives, and to develop more effective counterarguments and initiatives as a progressive.

I believe that through continuous learning and engagement, we can work towards a more just and equitable society, despite the seemingly unassailable nature of the Conservative machine.

There is likely a natural inclination to favor books that validate the things we have long suspected.

I have always maintained that for many, if not the majority of people in America, political beliefs are as rational as following a sports team. It is not about the facts but rather the passion and mythology that emerges around a team. In this instance, it is the Conservative versus Liberal divide in America.

This book reveals (and in today's world, this is a loaded word) the tactical advantage of the Republican party in the culture wars and suggests strategies to reverse it (a fundamental one being: do not adopt their language. The more the world hears it, the more it becomes gospel).

It is an enlightening book regardless of your personal mythology.

I had to read for work. It was an important task that required my full attention. The materials I had to read were quite extensive and covered a wide range of topics. I started by carefully skimming through the documents to get an overall understanding of the content. Then, I went back and read each section more thoroughly, taking notes and highlighting important points. As I read, I found myself getting more and more engaged with the material. It was interesting and relevant to my job, and I could see how it would help me in my work. Reading for work can be a challenging but also a rewarding experience. It allows me to expand my knowledge and skills, and to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in my field.

I cannot overemphasize the significance of this book for progressive understanding and success.

We must gain an understanding of how we perceive the world, how conservatives view the world, and how those in between comprehend the world and then how they act based on that understanding.

We need to learn how our messaging can either work in our favor or, if we are lazy, work against us.

Lakoff is truly brilliant. If you're interested, he also has a podcast called "FrameLab".

Main takeaways:

- If you say "Don't think of a pink elephant," the first thing someone does is think of a pink elephant. To not think about something, you first have to think about it to know what not to think about.

- The private sector is reliant on the public.

- Systemic causation is indeed a type of cause and effect (pollution does cause global warming).

- Conservatives understand the world through a strict-father morality. Progressives understand the world through a nurturing parent morality. Bi-Conceptuals view the world with a bit of both.

- People do not act rationally if it doesn't align with their understanding of the world.

- Facts are ineffective if they don't fit your worldview.

- The most effective way to bring people closer to a progressive worldview is to highlight and strengthen their empathy.

Read this and then share it with someone else.

It’s not always “what you say but how you say it”.

This is a concise yet extremely powerful book that delves into the art of framing and effectively using language to promote policy arguments.

Particularly in today's highly charged and complex political environment, it vividly demonstrates just how significantly words matter, often as much as the ideas themselves.

The author skillfully explores the various ways in which language can be crafted and employed to sway opinions, build consensus, and drive policy forward.

By understanding the nuances of language and its impact on communication, readers can gain valuable insights into how to present their own arguments more persuasively and make a greater impact in the policy-making arena.

This book serves as an essential guide for anyone interested in the power of language and its role in shaping our political and social landscapes.

Lakoff hurriedly published this work for the 2004 presidential election. It consists of a collection of essays and transcripts regarding the use of "framing" in politics. Framing involves providing the context and comparisons by which a subject is evaluated. The book also explores the notion that the conservative and liberal wings of American politics have different understandings of the metaphor that "America is a family."

Both of these concepts are truly worth reading. Their implications are profound and extensive. However, this book was designed as a quick-start primer for those attempting to discuss the election and perhaps as an entry point for Lakoff's research to reach campaign staff. Unfortunately, it was not overly successful in either regard.

If you approach it for what it is, a collection of material on the same subject that is inherently repetitive, it is not bad at all. It makes for excellent bathroom reading. It is light on jargon and completely ignores definitions, detailed explanations, or anything else that is "textbooky" - a welcome departure from Lakoff's more well-known books.

Nevertheless, if you truly wish to understand the material in a way that you can apply it in your personal or professional life, you need to read "Moral Politics," his detailed lay explanation of the principles. It is also quite readable and attempts to avoid covert bias (by relegating all the biased material he could identify to one chapter near the end, titled "Why I am a Progressive"), while "Don't Think of an Elephant" is openly biased throughout.

I purchased 10 copies of this book for my friends, mainly those who disagree with me politically. I desired for us to have a framework and language to understand one another, and it has proven to be invaluable. However, "Moral Politics" is the real deal.