Nice Post Mark!

It is not a question where you are located. More to the right or more to the left. This is a question of how you can avoid manipulation attempts using language distortion.

You must be aware of this language and logic distortion, because beneath these attempts there is always a manipulation aim. Be Careful!

Just my 2 cents.

Note from MJ: Francisco, very true - and sometimes it's also just people regurgitating what they heard from the political demagogue du jour ... They don't realize they are using manipulative language - they are repeating what they thought was intelligent discourse.

it is amazing how easily we can be influenced by bravado. however, we must always keep in mind that louder is not better. louder usually means that we are not getting through to someone about what we are saying so if we say it louder maybe they will finally get it.

Your selection of questions to uncover a Zealot is interesting. And I really must admit that, as a Conservative, politicians on both sides of the isle disgust me. They are no longer problem solvers....they are professional manipulators. However, I have some questions to add to your's.
1. Since being a critic never solved a single problem, what "specific solutions" do you offer that differ from the Presidents? (wow now...that will get a Zealots blood boiling!!)
2.Hey, Since we have poured billions and billions of taxpayer dollars into "unsuccessfully" fighting poverty and injustice in our own country, why do you think we can fight terrorism by trying to solve the problem of poverty and injustice in another country? (just an innocent question)

I am sure your book help people uncover manipulative language. However, the real problem is that people are way too lazy these days. They want their info fast and easy. How many people have really taken the time to study an issue so that they can discuss it intelligently? Answer....very few. So if we are being manipulated by our politicians...you could say that we deserve it.

Note from MJ: Larry, if those questions were being asked of me (I know they weren't) I would answer: www.MarkJoyner.name/constructs Also, I might suggest that if attempts to fight poverty were not successful in the past my first reaction wouldn't be to start killing people. Perhaps there are other options ....

Are there any implantable BS alert monitors on the market today?

Does our life programming make us more or less vulnerable to accept certain propaganda?

Is it in our genes, or our so-called common sense?

How does one explain a total acceptance, by some, that our own government planned and executed the 911 attacks? Or that the current group in the Congress, on both sides of the isle, is actually interested in doing the peoples business?

I sure could use that BS meter. Thanks for listening.

My main concern is mainly with the youth of today who are not paying attention to anyone or anything that is going on or being said. I believe they are in the dangerous majority.

Re, the above remarks:

"You dare support the President's policies? What are you? A REPUBLICAN??."

"Hey, what if we tried to fight terrorism by fighting the brutal political systems that contribute to it through lack of freedom, democracy, and literacy?"

"You've got to be kidding me! It just frustrates me that someone as intelligent as you has fallen for this kind of conservative propaganda."

You do make some good points, Mark. These days "critical thinking" is usually just "being critical." Given education the way it is today I don't think it's going to get better.

The art of using language has been around for a loooong time, but I think awareness of it's usage, and its manipulations, for most people, is dropping.

And I think we have a gut reaction to emotional "talk." We believe that if she's willing to put that much energy/passion into whatever she's saying that she must REALLY believe it.

Of course, 'tain't necessarily so.

Keep up the good work.

Greg

In regards to Harold Cooper's comment above about the youths not paying attention.

I don't think it's a matter of the youths not paying attention. I'm still considered a youth myself, and me and all the fellow youths I know certainly ARE paying attention.

The thing is, that none of us believe in the current political system, therefor we don't participate and don't give it any credit.

Besides that, the youths are probably better off not paying attention to the garbage spouted by the many politicians and leaders of the world.

From a great many conversations I've had with youths regarding politics, many of us are hoping the current political system collapses, so that we can rebuild a new one that actually adds value by taking freedom and human rights seriously.

Good Day,

I don't fall on either "side" of the aisle. But, I must have taken some stupid pills today. I am trying to figure out how poverty and injustice are environmental conditions. I have always considered environmental conditions, things like trees, water, air,the ground etc. Can someone help me understand what I'm not getting? Thanks.

To Bette ... and beyond ...

I think the writer, using the term "environmental
conditions" (referring to poverty and injustice, instead of trees, water and air) was just using the language a bit differently.

I don't know if it was intentional, but it was interesting to me, a writer. :)

We become SO conditioned, don't we, for a phrase to be confined to a specific meaning ... just because it's become popularized, by use?

For example, the phrase being discussed, within a larger context, environmental conditions can easily include anything/everything existing in our lives, don't you think? (Life on earth = our environment.)

Within that framework/context, I get the meaning. I wonder if the writer used the term intentionally or not?

To me, it's interesting because it broadens the way one can think about language.

Another Zealot tactic could take exception with the use of the term "environmental conditions," to distract and derail the dared opponent of the ONLY right way to look at something ... his way!

The Zealots, the politicos, the manufacturing liars/cheaters of the world beware ... 14 year olds are on to you!

Long live the doubters!!

From one who believes in the U.S. contrived 9-11. And who also believes not ONE word that flows from politicians devious mouths.

Oh ... don't get me started. :)