This speech originally hit social media as the one minute speech that would change our lives. While this may be true there are twenty-five some odd other minutes of inspiration that people are missing out on.
Tactic of Positive and Negative Expertise were prevalent for me during this commencement speech. He reflects on his journey of becoming who he is today, and how and what he did to get there. This would be positive expertise. He does a great job expressing how we can follow in similar foot steps to achieve the success we desire. He uses the example of his father failing as negative expertise. His father became an accountant which he thought would be a safe career to peruse, when he actually wanted to be a comedian. After choosing what would seem to be the safer route his father was let go as an accountant. Jim explains that those were the most difficult times his family faced. Jim points out that we can all fail even if we play it safe, so why not go for it? He turned a negative tactic into a positive, that trickster.
Process Premise
The Second Process Premise of Happiness/Joy seemed to go well with this speech. I found myself feeling happy and joyful about life and my goals and aspirations during this speech. Jim even states it in his speech that his job is help people forget their cares. He definitely had me feeling good about life throughout the entire speech.
Analysis
Jim's speech is very funny, inspirational, and thought provoking. By using the above mentioned tactics he does a great job persuading the audience to seek their dreams. Listening to the entire speech would be worth the time. By only listening to social media version you are missing out. It would be like ordering your favorite meal and eating only one bite, you're missing out on the rest of the deliciousness.
Just because someone has the "coveted" washboard abs does not mean they are fit. Actually it is not very healthy at all. I spoke to a small group of avid crossfitters about body image v.s. a healthy active body. I chose this topic for several several reasons, but the main reason is health. I see and hear about people doing crazy, not-so-healthy things to try and get those abs.
The information I presented revolved around understanding our body types, properly fueling our bodies, and loving the results you see (regardless of what you want to see). All too often (I blame the media) people fall into comparing their body to those seen on T.V., movies, magazines, or on the internet. This is a very dangerous game to play. In an effort to look like someone else people will do very damaging things to their bodies. One example of this would be a calorie deficient diet, some people also know this as starving yourself (eating less than what your body needs). Some people will up the ante and add a dietary supplement known as a "fat burner" to the calorie deficient diet. Both examples mentioned are very damaging to the body.
Our body needs fat. Yes we need fat. If we have too little body fat there can be serious health problems. For example, if women have less than 19% body fat they are now at risk of infertility, anemia, osteoporosis and many other adverse health problems. I think it can go without having to be said that too much body fat is unhealthy, and adverse health problems exist. There is an optimal body fat range for men and women, that range allows for optimal health and physical activity. For women (I would argue) the range is 20%-30% body fat. For men (I would again argue) the range is 10%-20% body fat. If within those ranges your body type reveals abs then it shows abs. If it doesn't, it doesn't, but ABS DO NOT DEFINE FITNESS! Some of the most fit people I know do not have six packs, more like 2 or 4 packs.
I could go on and on about forgetting abs as the gauge to fitness. If you want more info just let me know.
My call to action was to have people understand and value their body type. To gauge fitness from what the body can do, not what it looks like.
It was very easy to present this information, as mentioned before I could go on and on about how I hate the obsession over abs. The audience was receptive, they gobbled it up like it was their cheat meal (another bad "health habit" by the way). The downside to the speech was the lack of feedback. I spoke to such a selected group, on such a selected topic that the feedback I was looking for was minimal. I received a lot of positive feedback, but if I do not know what I did wrong how can I correct it? I had question upon question regarding diet or accepting their body type, which was an indicator of positive feedback. Their questions showed that they were trying to act upon the information presented.
If I were to give this speech or one similar to it again, I would present it to an audience that is not overly obsessed with their fitness. The group I presented to had an understanding of most of the things I presented. If I were to present to a group who lacked understanding in most of my presentation I could then better gauge how well I adapted to my audience. I would also have a larger margin to gauge the areas in which I could improve.
One thing I miss about America is the unity, unified regardless of our differences. Maybe America has always been like this and I was too young to care. It seems the country is over sensitive about pretty much everything. I'm not old enough to know desperate times like the Great Depression where neighbors had to unite. Where they depended on each other just to survive. The Civil Rights Movement where oppression forced our nation to unite because we stand for "liberty and justice for all". Nor have I had to truly endure some great hardship that would force me to the deepest darkest places of submission. I have by no means had a simple life, but not one I would consider too much to handle. "One Nation Under God" no longer carries a unifying call of freedom, rather just another topic to be debated, because our freedom allows us to question the foundation it was built upon. After all it is our freedom to do so.
Why does it take a catastrophe to unify us? Why is it that we are only able to take a step back and see through someone else's perspective only after something goes wrong? Regardless of why, America will (if it has too) set aside it's differences and unite.
Reich's Cultural Parables
The Mob at the Gates, for me, was the parable that stood out the most in this speech. "This depicts America as a beacon light of virtue in a world of darkness, a small island of freedom and democracy in a perilous sea. We are uniquely blessed, the proper model for other peoples' aspirations, the hope of the world's poor and oppressed. The parable gives voice to a corresponding fear: we must beware, lest the forces of darkness overwhelm us. Our liberties are fragile; our openness renders us vulnerable to exploitation or infection from beyond". MLK reminds us what America stood for. His dream was the definition of America, and everything that makes America, America. His dream was reminding all Americans that they were failing to live up to what we stand for.
Process Premise
MLK's speech was inspirational then and it still is today. The needs- Sense of Power, Sense of Roots, and Belonging are the foundation of his speech. He engages Sense of Power, that we have the power to make a difference. Sense of Roots; this is America we have always stood for freedom. The movement gave the American people the sense of belonging.
For me pride, happiness and joy were the driving emotions of this speech. Pride of who we are and where we came from. Dreams are dreams because they make (or would make) us happy. By seeing his dream fulfilled America would be a greater, happier country.
Analysis
It only took 5:17 to inspire the nation. 5:17 to inspire the nation to stretch their thinking and deepen their understanding. It amazes me that we have come so far as a nation, some good, some bad, but this speech can be applicable for any time period. If it can be applicable for any generation then you know it cognitively and emotionally drives us to reflect on what we can do (behavior) to change for the better.
I first heard of Ben Carson several years ago when I watched Gifted Hands, a movie about his extraordinary life. His life is very motivating and inspirational, if you are interested the movie is currently on Netflix. His life and example are one of the driving motivators for my continued pursuit of a higher education. Once I heard he had announced to run for President I was eager to hear his thoughts about our country.
Larsen's Cultural Images and Myths
Larson argues that the cultural myths of an audience, created by their value system, subconsciously influence the types of persuasion to which they will respond. Larson outlines a number of cultural myths common in America and provides examples of how persuaders used these myths to influence the public.
Larson’s first cultural myth, Wisdom of the Rustic, suggests that Americans value humble beginnings and believe that difficulty teaches. Larson’s second cultural myth, the Possibility of Success, is the idea that success comes to those who are honest and work hard. Larson’s third cultural myth, the Coming of a Messiah, centers on the idea that Americans seem to be waiting for a messiah. Larson’s fourth cultural myth, the Presence of Conspiracy, is the belief that big problems don’t have simple problems. Larson’s fifth cultural myth, the Value for Challenge, suggests that there is wisdom that can be gained only through challenge and suffering. Larson’s sixth cultural myth, the Eternal Return, refers to the idea that Americans yearn for and reenact better times from the past and seek to create new beginnings.
The Possibility of Success, Wisdom of the Rustic, Coming of a Messiah (not who you would expect), and Eternal Return are strongly present throughout his announcement.
The Possibility of Success is evident early in his speech when he recalls the difficulties his mother faced. According to Ben, his mothers hard work, honesty, and no-quit attitude are the reasons for his success. According to Larsen's Myths, Ben's mother is the definition of the possibility of success.
Wisdom of the Rustic comes and goes throughout Ben's speech. It is evident when he speaks of our founding fathers. Using the example of the founding fathers reminds us of our humble beginnings, those humble and difficult beginnings have shaped us into what we are today.
One the most persuasive parts of his speech (for me) used Coming of a Messiah. Clearly each candidate would want to paint themselves as the saving grace of America, however Ben did not. Ben clearly sends the message that we the people are the messiah of America. Towards the end of his speech he briefly touches on reasons as to why he is a good candidate, but leaves the saving of America to it's citizens.
Eternal Return is as Wisdom of the Rustic, it comes and goes throughout his speech. Ben talks of how America used to be, and how we can make America great once more.
Process Premise
Several needs were touched upon during his speech, specifically sense of roots and sense of power. He mentions Americas roots reminding us what made America so great. Reminding us of these roots gave me a sense of responsibility. A type of responsibility that urges me to help America be great and not just average.
The sense of power is displayed when he speaks about taking our country back from the government. That we the people need to run our government not the government running us. He is reminding us that we have the power and that we should use that power to better ourselves and America.
Pride, happiness, and joy are the main emotions used during his speech. Pride is used when he spoke of how great America is and how great the citizens are. Looking back on how things once were uses happiness and joy as the driving emotions. By looking back we can remember how happy America was, all because we were the greatest country in the world. The sense of pride drives us to action, drives us to create a better America.
Ben's speech used all three types of attitudes; Cognitive, Emotional, and Behavioral. Cognitively gets us thinking about how we should be running the government not the other way around. Once those thoughts are in place emotionally I felt compelled to act. VOTE! Not just vote, but vote based off of knowledge. I like how he says he is not asking you to vote for him, but to vote based on knowledge. He argues that we have an obligation to educate ourselves on each candidate and then "intellectually decide" who to vote for.
Cognitive dissonance is used often. Loss of group prestige- America is not the greatest country anymore. Economic Loss- America is no longer holds the strongest economy. Loss of personal prestige- Because America is no longer the greatest, we are not the greatest.
The use of cognitive dissonance set the stage for consonance. Reassurance of security- We can become the greatest again. The use of rewards- Doing our part as citizens will be evident in better quality of life as we gain control over our government.
His speech had me cognitively engaged, emotionally engaged, and left me motivated to intellectually select a candidate to vote for in 2016.
The title of the TED Talk How to overcome our biases? Walk boldly toward them, peaked my interest but failed to persuade me toward action (as she would have me do). I had the motivation to confront my biases. I know I have the ability to confront my biases. The trigger of the world needing to be a more unbiased set the stage. So why was I not persuaded to confront those biases as she would want me to? Motivation
According to BJ Fogg and his Motivation Wave the level of motivation a person or audience has, will directly affect their desire to do. Reading the talk title I was motivated to tackle my biases (according to Fogg) I was ready to do hard things, because my motivation was high. The focus of the talk was to motivate people to confront their biases, specifically toward black males. As I listened however, I noticed my motivation started to decline, and it wasn't because she was black. Abilities
Once motivation is on the decline, according to Fogg, the ability to do specific behaviors declines as well. As Fogg so eloquently stated on his website, "designers of persuasive experiences sometimes assume people have more ability than they really do". I have the ability to recognize and work on biases that I have, but I found myself lacking the motivation to face my biases as she outlined. Triggers
The third element of the Fogg Behavior Model is Triggers. Without a Trigger, the target behavior will not happen. During the talk the speaker begins a slide show of black successful males, to create a trigger that will replace our biases toward the "typical black male", with that of a successful black males. Analysis
While I appreciate the talk and movement toward everyone becoming unbiased, there came a point in her talk where I found myself tuning her out. My motivation started to slip when she started making "you" statements. "You have to start…". This (to me) implies that the only biases reside within me, pointing a finger of shame that black males were treated differently because of me (its my fault). It may not have been her intention, but it came across that way to me. During the talk I found myself saying, "If black males want biases to end, emulate black males that are shown in her slides". This of course is a biases that black males don't emulate those featured in her slides. Throughout her talk she did not frame things on what both sides needed to do, it was always framed in a manner that suggested black males were treated unfairly (and it is because of me, so I felt). It is the feelings that were created inside me while listening to her talk that dropped my motivation, ability, and triggers to walk boldly toward my biases. As she talked and those feelings started to arise I found myself saying things like: "biases will end when you stop being the stereo type", and "stop portraying yourself as thugs, gangsters, and boys from the hood, and you'd be surprised how quick the biases will stop". I found myself saying more bias things then I did before I listened to her talk.
As I analyzed my thoughts of biases, I realized her talk persuaded me to feel the opposite of what she was trying to accomplish. I felt her talk was asking me not to be bias toward black males that do emulate negative things such as gangs. For me, why would I have a bias toward someone emulating her slides, black or white? Emulating good, successful people regardless of race, ethnicity, or religion would overcome biases.
In her talk she mentions not confronting our biases in such a way that would put us in danger, eluding to that fact that there are dangerous black males (her topic...but don't be bias toward them). This is where my motivation declined. How can I become non biased toward someone who emulates negativity, and possibly causing a threat to those around him?
At this point I felt the speaker failed to persuade as the Fogg Behavior Model outlined. Did the talk bring awareness to some of the biases I have? Yes. Because her topic was so one-sided, "you must" rather than "we must"…toward black males, she failed to persuade. I feel she painted a picture that black males have biases toward them only because we have those biases, and not because of things they have done or emulate. When a talk feels more like a lecture of how bad you are doing something, motivation will be lacking.
