George Lakoff

George Lakoff, author of Don't think of an Elephant, is back with a new book that uses his knowledge of cognitive science and linguistics to frame our understanding of politics today. In The Political Mind, Lakoff explains how our morals, ethics and values shape our brains – and therefore the way we ... (more)understand the world around us. This fascinating new book is required reading for those politicos out there ready to change minds and make a difference. This event is co-sponsored by NXNW Democrats and Capitol City Young Democrats. Tonight at 7PM.

George Lakoff, author of Don’t Think of an Elephant and Professor of Cognitive Science and Linguistics at UC Berkeley will be speaking about his new book The Political Mind: Why You Can’t Understand 21st-Century American Politics with an 18th-Century Brain.

In The Political Mind: why You Can't Understand 21st Century American Politics with an 18th Century Brain, George Lakoff, author of Don’t Think of an Elephant and Moral Politics, suggests here that human beings are not the rational creatures we imagine ourselves to be. He compares ... (more)narratives in our minds to physical memories in our bodies, such as riding a bicycle or dancing. Getting information out of one narrative and into another, or into a new narrative, can be very hard. So as long as politicians and activists persist in believing that people use an objective system of reasoning to decide on their politics, they will lose elections. To win, we can’t fight in the frame of the opposition. Lakoff’s provocative book is for anyone interested in politics, how the mind works, how society works, and how they work together. This is part of the Sonoma Arts and Lectures series. 4:30 reception, 5:00 p.m. reading
Tickets $15 at Readers' Books or online at sonomacommunitycenter.org

Progressives have been fighting a losing battle in America for the last thirty years, largely because the majority of citizens vote against their own self interests. According to George Lakoff, bestselling author of Don't Think of an Elephant and Professor of Cognitive Science and Linguistics at UC Berkeley, ... (more)this is because people don't think about politics “rationally,” but emotionally. In The Political Mind, Lakoff explains how our brains really work, why language is so important, and how Democrats can use this to their advantage to win the November elections. This is a ticketed event. A free ticket is available with purchase of The Political Mind. Tickets without the purchase of a book will be available at Vroman’s main store before the event for $5.00. Additional books will be on sale at the venue. No phone or Internet orders will be accepted.

Tickets, $26, include admission and a copy of The Political Mind, and are available at the Bagdad Theater box office, the Crystal Ballroom box office, Ticketmaster.com, and all Ticketmaster outlets. Books will be distributed at the event.

Rabb Lecture Hall. Professor George Lakoff author of Moral Politics: How Liberals and Conservatives Think, Whose Freedom?, and Don't Think of an Elephant!, explores the connections between cognitive science and political action. Why do many Americans vote against their own interests. Humans, ... (more)he argues, are not the rational creatures we’ve so long imagined ourselves to be. And savvy political campaigns should not assume people will use objective reasoning when deciding how to vote. Book signing will follow.

Lakoff, a linguist and cognitive scientist, argues that any political movement hoping to succeed must approach voters using a language that engages listeners on an emotional level. His objective is to challenge conservatives on the major issues in American life. The author discusses and signs his book. ... (more)202-364-1919.