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Summary

This article examines the use of language by populist politicians, such as Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Viktor Orban, to manipulate people's thoughts and beliefs. The author uses cognitive linguistics to analyze speeches from these politicians and show how they use dehumanizing metaphors to instill and spread hatred. This language is designed to bypass higher cognitive reasoning centers and tap into existing circuits in the brain, making it easy for people to focus on certain things and ignore others. This can lead to people becoming more susceptible to believing lies and conspiracy theories, and taking actions they may not have taken before. The author suggests that disruptive events can help recalibrate people's thinking, and that engaging a critical mind is the best way to help people see the truth.

Q&As

What is the common element of the rhetoric used by political leaders such as Trump, Orban and Putin?
The common element of the rhetoric used by political leaders such as Trump, Orban and Putin is the use of dehumanizing metaphors to instill and propagate hatred of others.

How does the use of dehumanizing metaphors influence a person's beliefs?
The use of dehumanizing metaphors influences a person's beliefs by tapping into and activating existing circuits in the brain that link together important and salient images and ideas. This bypasses higher cognitive reasoning centers to make linkages that may not have a basis in reality, making it easier for people to believe lies and conspiracy theories.

What is the role of fear in manipulating the public's thoughts and beliefs?
The role of fear in manipulating the public's thoughts and beliefs is that it is the precondition for politicians to be able to hack into the minds of the public. Fear causes the brain to respond with chemicals such as cortisol and adrenaline, which make people more susceptible to believing lies and conspiracy theories.

How does this pattern of rhetoric become more effective the more it is used?
The more these circuits are activated, the more hardwired they become, until it becomes almost impossible to turn them off. This makes the pattern of rhetoric more effective the more it is used.

What is the "uplifting moral tale" that can be gleaned from history about the power of truth?
The uplifting moral tale that can be gleaned from history about the power of truth is that all the great liars, from dictators to autocrats, were eventually defeated by truth, which eventually will win out.

AI Comments

👍 This is a great article that provides an in-depth analysis of the neurological effects of political rhetoric and how powerful language can be in manipulating people's thoughts and beliefs.

👎 The article provides a one-sided view of the issue by not providing any alternative perspectives on the use of language in politics.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about how Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Viktor Orban use language to manipulate people's thoughts and beliefs. It looks at how they use dehumanizing metaphors to spread lies and conspiracy theories, and how this kind of rhetoric can be incredibly powerful for those who are already willing to believe it. It also looks at how these lies and conspiracy theories can become ingrained in people's minds, making it difficult for them to ever change their minds, even when presented with evidence that disproves their beliefs.

Friend: Wow, that's really interesting. It's scary to think that politicians can use language to manipulate people like that. It makes me wonder what the implications of this are.

Me: Well, it's an important reminder that we need to stay vigilant and be critical of what we hear from politicians. We also need to make sure that we're actively seeking out evidence to back up our beliefs, and be willing to change our minds if necessary. We also need to be conscious of how language can be used to spread lies and conspiracy theories, and question why politicians might be using certain words or metaphors. Finally, it's important to remember that these lies and conspiracy theories can be dangerous and destabilizing to our society, so we need to be aware of the power of language and take steps to counter it.

Action items

Educate yourself on the power of language and how it can be used to manipulate people's thoughts and beliefs.
Learn more about cognitive linguistics and how it can be used to understand the relationship between language and the mind.
Develop critical thinking skills to help identify lies and conspiracy theories and be able to recognize when they are being used to manipulate people.

Technical terms

Politico: A news website focusing on politics and policy.
Semiotics: The study of signs and symbols and how they are used to communicate meaning.
Linguistic Anthropology: The study of language in its social and cultural context.
Cognitive Linguistics: A branch of linguistics that examines the relationship between language and the mind.
Dehumanizing Metaphors: Metaphors that reduce a person or group to something less than human.
Fight-or-Flight Reactions: The body's automatic response to a perceived threat, which prepares it to either fight or flee.
Cortisol: A hormone released in response to stress.
Adrenaline: A hormone released in response to stress.
QAnon: A far-right conspiracy theory alleging that a cabal of Satan-worshipping pedophiles is running a global child sex-trafficking ring.
Big Lie: A false claim that is repeated so often that it becomes accepted as truth.
Fake News: False or misleading information presented as news.
Brainwashing: The process of manipulating someone's thoughts and beliefs through psychological techniques.