Berkley scientist George Lakoff introduced the concept of message framing - when word combinations are so potent they become “hard wired” to our brain and make it impossible to counter. A recent business trip to the USA had me thinking about these “framed messages” in politics. Below is the start of a list of these message pairs. Can anyone add to the list?
- Patriot Act - How could anyone vote against this one?
- Healthy Forests - Allows logging in old growth forests
- Clean Air Act - Decides how much pollution is allowable
- Partial Birth Abortion - Meant to stop late term abortions
- Tax Relief - Great way to ensure no one challenges
- Freedom of Information - A way to get to the heart of all these issues
What else might be added to the list?
4 responses so far ↓
Kawika Solidum // Mar 20th 2007 at 7:50 am
Hello Walter,
I just thought I’d add to your list, as I now have become an avid reader of your blog since your visit to DC… these are obviously US-centric:
No Child Left Behind Act - the piece of legislation that hinges school funding to performance; who would want to leave a child behind?
“The Way Forward..” - the phrase used by the White House to describe George Bush’s “new” Iraq policy
Walter Jennings // Mar 20th 2007 at 11:24 am
Great additions - and thanks for reading the blog!
Michael Glazer // Mar 21st 2007 at 1:05 am
Hi Walter,
While we’re on the topic of USA politics, the term “Death Tax” comes to mind. It doesn’t sound very appealing, does it?
Charlie Pownall // Apr 8th 2007 at 10:32 am
Hi Walter
Noam Chomsky would add attack-minded Departments of ‘Defense’ in powerful western countries.
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