Don’t Think of an Elephant by George Lakoff

Don’t Think of an Elephant is written by Berkeley linguist professor George Lakoff, and in it he explains the concept of framing issues. Framing an issue is essentially being deliberate in choosing the words that you use to describe an issue in order to influence how people think of that issue. He discusses at length and with examples how the Republican Party has been extremely good at framing issues and how progressives are not good at it (progressives like facts too much!). I found it to be an easy read and very informative – I felt as though I understood more why it appears that some people vote against their own self-interest. Reading this book may give you more insight into how to talk to others about the issues currently being battled over in our country. (submitted by Julia Nichols)