Don't Think of an Elephant!

I ordered this book per Dr. Pedersen's recommendation and have already almost finished reading it. Let me begin by saying that the first presidential election I was able to vote in, I was suckered in by Ronald Reagan. I subsequently realized the error of my ways and registered Libertarian, and wasted votes through the 90s on their candidates. In the new century I have vacillated between Democratic and Independent candidates in most elections. The concept of framing can be very useful as put forth by Lakoff, and the cognitive aspects are illuminating and applicable in education and many other fields. I began to realize as I read through the book that something similar was happening to what happened to me many times this summer while blogging my history of science course. That is, concepts and ideas that I was intuitively aware of, or at least in agreement with, were being given names, placed in context, and "framed" if you will. I realize I have a lot to learn about my profession and life in general (as we all do!) but I am beginning to wonder if this is common among graduate students, and in particular those in a PhD program. Is the emphasis less on learning "new" things, and more on organizing, focusing, and again "framing" a lot of what we already know, and consequently then being able to use and aplly it/them more effectively? I think much of these thoughts are coming about for me because I do have almost twenty years of classroom experience.

Bibliographic Note:

George Lakoff, Don't Think of an Elephant! Know Your Values and Frame the Debate: The Essential Guide for Progressives, (Vermont, Chelsea Green Publishing, 2004). Don't Think of an Elephant! is the definitive handbook for understanding what happened in the 2004 election and communicating effectively about key issues facing America today. Author George Lakoff has become a key advisor to the Democratic party, helping them develop their message and frame the political debate.
In this book Lakoff explains how conservatives think, and how to counter their arguments. He outlines in detail the traditional American values that progressives hold, but are often unable to articulate. Lakoff also breaks down the ways in which conservatives have framed the issues, and provides examples of how progressives can reframe the debate.
Lakoff's years of research and work with environmental and political leaders have been distilled into this essential guide, which shows progressives how to think in terms of values instead of programs, and why people vote their values and identities, often against their best interests.
Don't Think of An Elephant! is the antidote to the last forty years of conservative strategizing and the right wing's stranglehold on political dialogue in the United States.
Read it, take action-and help take America back.