Lit books:Final Blog

I read: The Political Mind
Stephanie G. Read: The Post-American World

       Responding to Stephanie G. Lit book The Post-American World says that her book recognizes, “Americas strengths and weaknesses” just as Lakoff does when he points out the weaknesses of the conservatives and the progressives. One of Lakoff’s main points is explaining that conservatives are much more persuasive because they relay their narratives with morals so that people can relate and understand their political frames better than the progressives. Understanding and communicating frames thus exemplifies why conservatives have been statistically doing better in office.

      Stephanie also says that, “Instead of doing things the way we’ve done them for a hundred years, we need to start being creative in the way we run our country.” This is Lakoff’s main goal of his book to get us to think creatively so that we can understand the way that our country is being ran cognitively as well as linguistically. Lakoff wants to express that language is the form that our brain understands and comprehends what one is saying and without being able to use our words carefully as the conservatives have been doing then we cannot advance politically. Another main point Lakoff repeats throughout his book is that it is beneficial to try and make the unconscious conscious and if we can try and start thinking outside of the box then one has then effectively used their 21st century mind.

The Political Mind (1-42)

        Scientist George Lakoff has written a manual-like book that not only gives you facts and relates to current events but tries to explain the anatomy of the brain and why one thinks the way they do in regards to politics. Lakoff explains that one cannot live in today’s world with an 18th century brain because there is a lot more than just plain facts that sway the masses and must look at the narrative that those in politics play. Not only does George point out the unseen structure of the brain but also relates it to the reader in a way that can be understood with the Anna Nicole Smith example and her many narratives.


       The Goal of this book, as said by Lakoff is to, “make the cognitive unconscious as conscious as possible” (Lakoff 34). Lakoff is challenging the status quo and making people realize there full potential when he states that 98% of out thoughts are not conscious. His argument of a pre existing structure of the brain holds true and our brain does not think about what it has to do in order to think but rather lets us daydream and flourish in thought. Lakoff’s structure then causes us to question how one might think about the way that politicians talk and advertise to get people to vote in one way or another. He states that the brain makes decisions without one knowing regarding morality, how morality does not change at will and how one connects to the world. The bold and daring goal allows Lakoff to explain why politicians said certain things to the public and took specific actions.

Captured Thought: Invisible Florescent Love

        Something that I always forget is the love that one shares in friendship. Seeing the person everyday things get routine even though you have a deep and meaningful conversation with that person. The lack of “I love you” throughout the day bothers me as for I am a firm believer in showing affection towards those I love. Even though I am secure in my friendships with others its the actions that remind me of how much that person truly cares.
  
    This turnabout weekend I had close friends of mine do so many selfless and generous acts that really exemplified there love and care for me. Maggie, my friend since 2nd grade allowed me to borrow her heels that are dear to her, expensive and new Maggie takes very good care of her belongings and usually does not allow others to use them. Despite her protective attitude Maggie was willing and openly excited about me wearing them to the dance. Acts such as these really show me that even though it is unspoken the love is very loud.
  
    The biggest surprise of all was the person I was originally going to ask to turnabout but got asked by someone else surprised me at my groups pictures with a corsage that he made himself. This act of spontaneity and the unexpected are my favorite and he has yet to let me down. This person was nice enough to take the time out of his day to surprise and thoughtfully assemble a corsage from the skills he has learned from horticulture. Even though love is a silent subject, invisible and intangible it is such a beautiful thing.