Comments on: The Obama Strategy http://oneandfour.org/archives/2008/03/the_obama_strategy.html Alex's Blog Fri, 08 Aug 2008 18:17:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.2 Comment on The Obama Strategy by: SciVille http://oneandfour.org/archives/2008/03/the_obama_strategy.html#comment-10415 Tue, 04 Mar 2008 23:14:28 +0000 http://oneandfour.org/archives/2008/03/the_obama_strategy.html#comment-10415 When I read this, I was reminded of something I said on the forums one time about MADD. A lot of members whine that MADD uses emotional appeal as opposed to logic, that they shouldn't be allowed to do that. I forget which thread, but I finally said "appealing to emotion doesn't mean MADD is stupid, on the contrary it means they know how to work!" Same deal with Obama, sort of, as you pointed out. Sticking just to logic is no way to win people over, no matter how sound. Got to find the main vein of what people truly care about, and steer it how you please. The logic is mostly just a backup, though still very necessary. And, though I'm just guessing, I sometimes feel that's one of NYRA's weaknesses, though I don't know offhand how to rectify it. We're great at the logic, but the fact is, we can cite cold hard stats all day long about the benefits of a lower voting age, repealing curfews, etc., but it'll mostly just affect those already inclined to agree with us anyway, while others might nod along but still not accept our position, because deep down, they really feel that 16-year-olds are better off and safer if they can't vote and can't go outside after 10pm. After all, "feel good" laws pass because people want them to, informed or not, and oftentimes they have no interest in being informed. So something stronger is needed. Something needs to rile them up and get them viscerally excited about our side. What exactly? Well, I have no idea. I suppose that's the other problem. Okay, I'll stop now since I've gone off on a tangent, a depressing one at that, but it got me thinking anyway. When I read this, I was reminded of something I said on the forums one time about MADD. A lot of members whine that MADD uses emotional appeal as opposed to logic, that they shouldn’t be allowed to do that. I forget which thread, but I finally said “appealing to emotion doesn’t mean MADD is stupid, on the contrary it means they know how to work!” Same deal with Obama, sort of, as you pointed out. Sticking just to logic is no way to win people over, no matter how sound. Got to find the main vein of what people truly care about, and steer it how you please. The logic is mostly just a backup, though still very necessary.

And, though I’m just guessing, I sometimes feel that’s one of NYRA’s weaknesses, though I don’t know offhand how to rectify it. We’re great at the logic, but the fact is, we can cite cold hard stats all day long about the benefits of a lower voting age, repealing curfews, etc., but it’ll mostly just affect those already inclined to agree with us anyway, while others might nod along but still not accept our position, because deep down, they really feel that 16-year-olds are better off and safer if they can’t vote and can’t go outside after 10pm. After all, “feel good” laws pass because people want them to, informed or not, and oftentimes they have no interest in being informed. So something stronger is needed. Something needs to rile them up and get them viscerally excited about our side. What exactly? Well, I have no idea. I suppose that’s the other problem.

Okay, I’ll stop now since I’ve gone off on a tangent, a depressing one at that, but it got me thinking anyway.

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