Really helpful. Thanks so much for this. Just thinking how we all need to work on this so I'm delighted to read this, and I've made notes to remind myself:)
I don't have a large following on social media, nor am I a political leader, I mostly retweet.I try not to just retweet something that just repeats a conservative message. So, when 'retweeting' it seems very important to actively use this Framelab info. I notice a lot of statements online shared with a lack of context, which concerns me in regard to the general public out there, and how each individual might 'receive the message emotionally'. It has seemed to me that without putting it in context/ frame, the tweet can be misinterpreted, (emotionally received), in entirely different ways than is intended.
Thank you.. I do disagree with your comments-- Progressives (of which I am one) have not yet united. The Mideast war is the most dramatic example. BIden and agriculture or voting rights are other examples where Progressives are relentless in their criticism (again I am not arguing the merits: I too disagree with BIden administration's position; but I will support Biden. Progressives are saying the opposite.
I agree progressives agree on values, and there is a potential for progressive unity. But the framing if failing on the part of Biden.
Progressives do not follow all forms of argument. Progressives operate in silos--eg. Biden has not done enough on voting rights--" Friends will say since he promised change, did not happen, and won't get my support". The Mideast war is another example;.
We do need to get out of issue silos that isolate arguments and keep us from the values and principles that define an overall progressive vision. (I am working with a new rural progressive group PROIOWA 24)
What this says about the problem with just presenting facts, which clearly doesn't work, is in line with my own concern with how to present a narrative. The concept is based on Jonathan Gottschall's books The Story Telling Animal and The Story Paradox. He shows how simply stating a fact is MUCH less effective in getting that fact noticed and absorbed than is presenting that fact in a narrative. I think that is what is here described both as framing and context.
For both the Dems and us individual democrats there has been much less use of narrative than the GOP does. Just SAYING Biden has improved the economy is a fact; telling a story about how he has done so in particular instances and to particular people is a narrative. Lately the GOP has been handing us narratives--how the GOP has stopped the border bill and the Ukrainian funding bill. It isn't enough to say Johnson is holding up Ukraine funding. You have to tell what Putin is doing, the folks who back him, what and why the Senate passed the bill, the issues at stake, and the personal issue of Johnson trying to hold onto power. News stories are beginning to do this. I make this suggestion more in terms of how individuals discuss this with those who don't already realize the things that are at stake. Sure it takes longer than saying "Johnson's a Putz" but it will be way better for leading your listener/reader to agree that he is.
The problem is that Biden is NOT talking about the #1 and #2 issues that matter to Americans: Immigration and Inflation. He acts like they're no big deal or the problem is solved. You can't tell people the economy is great when twice a week they go into the grocery store and see that things are not OK. And now that cities are financially straining under the burden of waves of illegals is not something you can wave away and say it's the Republican's fault.
Issues don't always matter, but they do here. If Biden won't talk about it, Trump will. The average voter will start to think that for all his faults, and at least Trump recognizes there is a problem.
This all needs regular repeating. How about twelve follow up columns, each with discreet examples of "Say this, not this".
I’m a big fan of Dr. Lakoff’s and actually incorporated some of his talking points when I was in marketing.
Two examples still make me cringe. Who ever thought “Defund the Police” was going to really sell their plan for police reform.
Really helpful. Thanks so much for this. Just thinking how we all need to work on this so I'm delighted to read this, and I've made notes to remind myself:)
I don't have a large following on social media, nor am I a political leader, I mostly retweet.I try not to just retweet something that just repeats a conservative message. So, when 'retweeting' it seems very important to actively use this Framelab info. I notice a lot of statements online shared with a lack of context, which concerns me in regard to the general public out there, and how each individual might 'receive the message emotionally'. It has seemed to me that without putting it in context/ frame, the tweet can be misinterpreted, (emotionally received), in entirely different ways than is intended.
So what are the new frames? What are the shared values? Criticism isn’t helpful without a plan around what to do
Thank you.. I do disagree with your comments-- Progressives (of which I am one) have not yet united. The Mideast war is the most dramatic example. BIden and agriculture or voting rights are other examples where Progressives are relentless in their criticism (again I am not arguing the merits: I too disagree with BIden administration's position; but I will support Biden. Progressives are saying the opposite.
I agree progressives agree on values, and there is a potential for progressive unity. But the framing if failing on the part of Biden.
Progressives do not follow all forms of argument. Progressives operate in silos--eg. Biden has not done enough on voting rights--" Friends will say since he promised change, did not happen, and won't get my support". The Mideast war is another example;.
We do need to get out of issue silos that isolate arguments and keep us from the values and principles that define an overall progressive vision. (I am working with a new rural progressive group PROIOWA 24)
What this says about the problem with just presenting facts, which clearly doesn't work, is in line with my own concern with how to present a narrative. The concept is based on Jonathan Gottschall's books The Story Telling Animal and The Story Paradox. He shows how simply stating a fact is MUCH less effective in getting that fact noticed and absorbed than is presenting that fact in a narrative. I think that is what is here described both as framing and context.
For both the Dems and us individual democrats there has been much less use of narrative than the GOP does. Just SAYING Biden has improved the economy is a fact; telling a story about how he has done so in particular instances and to particular people is a narrative. Lately the GOP has been handing us narratives--how the GOP has stopped the border bill and the Ukrainian funding bill. It isn't enough to say Johnson is holding up Ukraine funding. You have to tell what Putin is doing, the folks who back him, what and why the Senate passed the bill, the issues at stake, and the personal issue of Johnson trying to hold onto power. News stories are beginning to do this. I make this suggestion more in terms of how individuals discuss this with those who don't already realize the things that are at stake. Sure it takes longer than saying "Johnson's a Putz" but it will be way better for leading your listener/reader to agree that he is.
I recently wrote a critique of the word "woke", and why it is problematic. I lost some followers over it, but I stand by it.
It is a handle the right can grab ahold of to skewer progressives. Why not state your values instead, with no sound bite. Just some authenticity.
The problem is that Biden is NOT talking about the #1 and #2 issues that matter to Americans: Immigration and Inflation. He acts like they're no big deal or the problem is solved. You can't tell people the economy is great when twice a week they go into the grocery store and see that things are not OK. And now that cities are financially straining under the burden of waves of illegals is not something you can wave away and say it's the Republican's fault.
Issues don't always matter, but they do here. If Biden won't talk about it, Trump will. The average voter will start to think that for all his faults, and at least Trump recognizes there is a problem.
Why do you think Democrats have historically had more problems in communicating effective messaging while Republicans seem to be better at it?
P.S. I would hope you'd offer your services to Democratic leadership.
I hate that black submit dot and it hates me. Here)
Thanks for telling us what NOT to do. We need better examples of what we should be saying. I didn't get that information from your comments.