Trust Science and Don't Panic, California
adminFri 2020-03-20
Much of California is sheltering at home. With CV19 in an exponential growth curve, this is the difference between jumping off a cliff and not jumping off a cliff. Please follow the guidelines — and also note, we chose not to jump off the cliff. We did the right thing, and most of us get to exchange a bit of cabin fever and economic woes instead of real fever and panic.
Playing Chicken with Science: A few numbers
adminFri 2020-03-20
Draft: comments welcome!!!! Originally written March 20, 2020
As I write this, the Bay Area — oh, faster than I edit, California too — is in "shelter in place" while Governor Cuomo in New York is fighting back as New York City aims to do the same.
Planning a Rapid Response: from #Blue vs #Bust to Solidarity
adminSun 2020-02-23
###DRAFT###
Cognitive Politics is a book, blog and community dedicated to more effective political conversations across political divides. We need you:
The New Political Spectrum
adminSun 2020-02-23
The left-vs-right political spectrum has been an informative model to understand politics for more than a century, so we're still trying to use it. But it is mostly dated, at least for anyone who might swing. It's not that swing or undecided voters are between left and right: they are not using this model anymore. Left-vs-right is of fading importance, and nothing clear is taking it's place.
Campaign 2020: Framing Choice; Framing Abortion. Which are you doing?
adminThu 2020-02-13
No other issue costs Democrats the votes of compassionate voters the way choice|abortion does.
There is no other issue where we so desperately need to have a "big tent" for people who see the world differently, to use progressive communications styles with active listening — and no other issue where we could burn our big tent down by making the wrong compromises and failing to stick to our frame.
I'd like to start with an imagination exercise:
My Approach to Discouraging Biden's Candidacy
adminWed 2020-02-12
I've heard a lot of attacks on Biden, "He should get out," with harsh lists of everything he's ever done wrong and nothing he's done right.
Imagine you liked Biden and had half a mind to vote for him in the primary. People are trying to convince you to change your vote, and also stay energized after the primaries. How well does the comment below work; what would you change? [Cognitive Politics is about communications approaches, not about particular candidates.]
Ideas for Holidays and Politics: Neither silence yourself nor ruin dinner
adminSun 2019-11-17
Say politics is important to you and you don't want to silence yourself around family,
but talking politics at Thanksgiving or other holidays might ruin dinner,
what are some creative alternatives?
I've started leaving alternatives in the comments; please brainstorm and join in.
I swallowed some propganda
adminFri 2019-11-08
Speaking to the base or speaking for the base?
adminTue 2019-11-05
One of the leading progressives strikes me as talking to the progressive base; another is speaking progressive ideals to everyone who will listen.
Communications efforts while Trump goes farther away: Leaving Kurds to Die

Thu 2019-10-10
— live draft, early comments welcome —