George Lakoff: Moral Politics
Why Hacker News recommends it
HN commenters repeatedly say it changed how they hear political speech and recommend it for understanding why opponents are not simply stupid.
What it is
Cognitive scientist George Lakoff lectures on how political debates are framed through language and metaphors tied to values, and on the moral worldviews behind progressive and conservative politics. It was given in 2005 at UC San Diego.
Recommended by 3 HN commenters across 12 different months, 2016 to 2024.
What Hacker News said
Strong rec andrei_says_ · 2016-01 · on “The “Other Side” Is Not Dumb”
I highly recommend the Moral Politics talk by Linguistics professor George Lakoff: [this video] In short, the two sides of the debate speak different language representing different world views rooted in upbringing and triggered / exploited by metaphors. This talk changed my view on political speech and narrative dramatically.
Strong rec andrei_says_ · 2016-06 · on “Reasons not to use (i.e., be used by) Facebook”
I think you'll enjoy this lecture by linguistics professor George Lakoff: [this video] Among other things he speaks of the think-tank-driven concerted effort to influence political support by using language invoking specific metaphors to frame important issues. Like "Tax Relief" for dramatically reducing taxes for the rich etc. Changed how I process political speech and pretty much any media-supported narrative.
Strong rec andrei_says_ · 2017-03 · on “Why Are the Highly Educated So Liberal? (2016)”
George Lakoff did an excellent linguistic analysis of conservative vs. liberal political speech, metaphors and framing in his lecture Moral Politics. I found it extremely valuable in understanding the driving and defining forces behind the two movements. [this video]
Strong rec andrei_says_ · 2019-10 · on “Ask HN: What are your arguments in favor of end-to-end encryption?”
His framelab podcasts are informal and easily digestable. [LINK] I highly recommend * truth sandwich time (if you only listen to one make it this one) * how republicans really think (if you only listen to one make it this one, too) * how trump uses twitter to control the media (very eye opening) * guns over people (on how to frame the gun debate) Also, this lecture on political language exposes the leverage hooks politicians and propagandists use to hook and manipulate us. You will never listen/read political speech the same. [this video]
Strong rec andrei_says_ · 2019-11 · on “You can fool some of the people, all of the time”
May I recommend this talk on the neuroscience of language and thought by George Lakoff? [LINK] And also this one on political language, morals and metaphors? It will change how you listen to political speech, and especially political speech targeting people with different political orientation -- which can often sound nonsensical, but is actually carefully constructed to activate their metaphors. [this video] Basically, the ideas of enlightenment (we are rational beings) are not true. A couple of slides from the first lecture: Myth: Reason is conscious, you know what you think. Science: Reason is mostly unconscious, estimates are about 98% unconscious. Conscious thinking is linear. Brain circuitr
Strong rec andrei_says_ · 2021-03 · on “Framing 101”
I highly recommend Lakoff’s lecture on framing and metaphors in political speech and discourse. Changed how I listen - to anyone - forever. [this video] His framelab podcast is also excellent.
Strong rec andrei_says_ · 2022-04 · on “The true purpose of propaganda”
In this lecture on Moral Politics, George Lakoff addresses the “nonsensical” speech, metaphors, framing and more. Changed how I listen to mass media and political speech. [this video] Also highly recommend his Truth Samndwich methodology to defanging propaganda messages in the media. [LINK]
Strong rec andrei_says_ · 2024-10 · on “Ask HN: What's your favorite YouTube video, ever?”
Russ Olsen, author of Getting Closure, Eloquent Ruby and Design Patterns with Ruby, telling the story of the moon landing as a conference talk. Inspired me beyond measure and brought tears to my eyes. [LINK] —- George Lakoff’s lecture on Moral Politics. Instantaneous understanding of political language and identity politics. Incredibly important, especially today in time of extreme polarization. [this video] —- Sir Ken Robinson: Do Schools Kill Creativity [LINK]