A discussion with Robbie Harris, a strategic communications and behavior change subject matter expert who has worked in Iraq, Syria, Africa, and Central America.
Totally agree. We need to ‘accentuate the positive’ more. Our bodies and minds evolved in the primeval forests where attention to danger saved us. The dangers are different now and people are too often fixated on tne ‘negative.’
What a wonderful world this is. My patch if first rate Greg. And you and your guests make it even better. Billserle.com.
I think, I am most upset that any human is forced to live in the world Robbie describes. From what I see, there are more people who will not allow that to happen in this country than people who blindly want that to happen. The ability to think of long term consequences is essential to combating that type of world. Excellent commentary, Robbie and Greg, thank you.
I wish the corporate media would get the importance of emphasizing the positive. It seems that so much of what is said on MSNBC and CNN is designed to scare people into voting. I also wish people were more aware of what a civil war would really mean to our way of life. She paints a very clear picture!
This is more a story about East Berlin than it is about your post, but came to mind because of your picture of "Checkpoint Charlie." It certainly isn't the checkpoint I went through in 1964. We were held up for a long time. This happened to be on Mayday. Once through, I decided I wanted to take a picture of the Brandenburg Gate from the "other side." So I did, the guards came over and wanted my film, I cried prettily, and they decided not to. When the picture was developed it showed the guard, with guard dog and gun, pointing at me.
This is the part that relates to that McDonalds next to today's Checkpoint Charlie. In 2010 I visited Berlin again. I was sitting in I think a Starbucks on the "east side" of the gate and realized I was sitting in pretty much the exact same spot that the guard stood as he pointed dog and gun at me.
East Berlin and East Germany were the only checkpoints I had to go through in 1964 but both experiences were chilling in the extreme. We were almost arrested at the East German border because we were hitching and didn't yet have a ride--the guard finally let us go down the line of cars till we found a ride that was going to Berlin. So I totally agree with the horrifying loss of freedoms that would arise during a civil war.
What a fascinating interview of Robbie Harris, Greg. To have someone speak who actually has been to these countries lends a perspective we don't ordinarily benefit from.
To be sure, her advice about messaging to U.S. voters is something I will follow when next I meet up with my semi-MAGA family!
Valuable perspective from someone familiar with the results of not actively supporting democracy.
But as to the recommendation to focus on positivity, that sounds good to many people, yet I don't think that is or should be the true message.
For me, it's not supported by the examples. Is it positive to say that we won't have Starbucks or McDonalds? Or to talk of guns being pointed? I'd call that harsh reality made credible by first-hand experience, which we desperately need.
From Biden supporters, we seem to have too much lazy positivity, "Yes, Trump is terrible, but it'll be OK. I don't have to do anything." Or at best, there's apathy, "My vote doesn't matter," or "It's all corrupt, so why bother?"
For Trump's brainwashed supporters, the +/- picture is upside down. Trump is the positive. It's, "Biden is so corrupt and is costing me so much money that I won't be able to afford Starbucks. Trump will never point his guns at me. Only at the bad guys, to protect my Starbucks."
I rapidly agree with the comment about each side being stuck in it's respective solo, not communicating with each other. I've tried. I can't communicate to a brainwashed wall. To communicate sufficiently to prevent disaster, I think, we need more harsh reality for one side and experts to deprogram the brainwashed other.
Hi Greg, it's Sharon Dymond. My Louisiana ISP provided email finally shat the bed and laid waste to all my contacts, subscriptions, etc. Please read this so you know who I am. I'd be thrilled if you left a comment. Love, Sharon from Cajun Dogpatch
Totally agree. We need to ‘accentuate the positive’ more. Our bodies and minds evolved in the primeval forests where attention to danger saved us. The dangers are different now and people are too often fixated on tne ‘negative.’
What a wonderful world this is. My patch if first rate Greg. And you and your guests make it even better. Billserle.com.
TGIF🎉🎉🎉⚖️
I think, I am most upset that any human is forced to live in the world Robbie describes. From what I see, there are more people who will not allow that to happen in this country than people who blindly want that to happen. The ability to think of long term consequences is essential to combating that type of world. Excellent commentary, Robbie and Greg, thank you.
I wish the corporate media would get the importance of emphasizing the positive. It seems that so much of what is said on MSNBC and CNN is designed to scare people into voting. I also wish people were more aware of what a civil war would really mean to our way of life. She paints a very clear picture!
Perfect guest. Perfect timing.
To Dismay to despair
It's engineered
It's why it's there
So be aware
We're mindful there
We chose to think say see or do, where the brightest lights are the who of you.
🩷🩵🩶🧡💚
Late to the pod today listening now x
This is more a story about East Berlin than it is about your post, but came to mind because of your picture of "Checkpoint Charlie." It certainly isn't the checkpoint I went through in 1964. We were held up for a long time. This happened to be on Mayday. Once through, I decided I wanted to take a picture of the Brandenburg Gate from the "other side." So I did, the guards came over and wanted my film, I cried prettily, and they decided not to. When the picture was developed it showed the guard, with guard dog and gun, pointing at me.
This is the part that relates to that McDonalds next to today's Checkpoint Charlie. In 2010 I visited Berlin again. I was sitting in I think a Starbucks on the "east side" of the gate and realized I was sitting in pretty much the exact same spot that the guard stood as he pointed dog and gun at me.
East Berlin and East Germany were the only checkpoints I had to go through in 1964 but both experiences were chilling in the extreme. We were almost arrested at the East German border because we were hitching and didn't yet have a ride--the guard finally let us go down the line of cars till we found a ride that was going to Berlin. So I totally agree with the horrifying loss of freedoms that would arise during a civil war.
What a fascinating interview of Robbie Harris, Greg. To have someone speak who actually has been to these countries lends a perspective we don't ordinarily benefit from.
To be sure, her advice about messaging to U.S. voters is something I will follow when next I meet up with my semi-MAGA family!
Thanks, again, Greg.
Valuable perspective from someone familiar with the results of not actively supporting democracy.
But as to the recommendation to focus on positivity, that sounds good to many people, yet I don't think that is or should be the true message.
For me, it's not supported by the examples. Is it positive to say that we won't have Starbucks or McDonalds? Or to talk of guns being pointed? I'd call that harsh reality made credible by first-hand experience, which we desperately need.
From Biden supporters, we seem to have too much lazy positivity, "Yes, Trump is terrible, but it'll be OK. I don't have to do anything." Or at best, there's apathy, "My vote doesn't matter," or "It's all corrupt, so why bother?"
For Trump's brainwashed supporters, the +/- picture is upside down. Trump is the positive. It's, "Biden is so corrupt and is costing me so much money that I won't be able to afford Starbucks. Trump will never point his guns at me. Only at the bad guys, to protect my Starbucks."
I rapidly agree with the comment about each side being stuck in it's respective solo, not communicating with each other. I've tried. I can't communicate to a brainwashed wall. To communicate sufficiently to prevent disaster, I think, we need more harsh reality for one side and experts to deprogram the brainwashed other.
Hi Greg, it's Sharon Dymond. My Louisiana ISP provided email finally shat the bed and laid waste to all my contacts, subscriptions, etc. Please read this so you know who I am. I'd be thrilled if you left a comment. Love, Sharon from Cajun Dogpatch
https://algonquinonthebayou.blogspot.com/2022/01/my-life-among-new-orleans-royals.html?m=1