James Hoggan is the author of a book called “Climate Cover-Up, The Crusade to Deny Global Warming.” Hoggan explains complex problems about global warming and how there are individuals who try to use scientific evidence to suggest that global warming does not exist. The book is full of interesting facts to help educate the average person in society about global warming by the use of current events that have occurred because of global warming. Hoggan has found a way to explain intricate political problems about global warming to the masses.
After reading “Climate Cover-Up,” I felt that my eyes was opened to the scandals of global warming by corporations, government and individuals. "Junk Science" was one of the chapters in the “Climate Cover-Up” that explained a great deal about how people have paid other scientists to fabricate false data. Hoggan used Dennis T. Avery, as an example, who hired 500 scientists to find scientific evidence that global warming does not exist or that global warming is a natural event that happens all the time. Another example would be “The Greening of Planet Earth,” which is a video that tries to explain how more carbon dioxide is better for the planet. This is misleading information that is purposely put out for the public to consume.
I would advocate for this book because it defines the lines between lies and truth about global warming. Thanks to authors like Hoggan writing a book about the coverup of global warming. It helps to educate the public about what is really going on around them in their environment.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
Framing
There are many different aspects of framing that a person in public relations should know or understand, but I am only going to mention a few of the framing aspects that interests me.
One of the major aspects of framing is it is not the words you use in the message, it is how the message is heard. When you think about it that statement is kind of deep, because as a professionals we must master the skill of communication. Knowing how to present your message is key for example, if you're talking about money it is better to say "international tax" than "foreign tax" because not only does it sound better but the average individual hears the word foreign and tends to link the word with foreign oil, foreign profits or even Communist countries. People in America may not agree with the ideas or like their ways, which in turn means your message can be misunderstood by your public audience.
One of the major aspects of framing is it is not the words you use in the message, it is how the message is heard. When you think about it that statement is kind of deep, because as a professionals we must master the skill of communication. Knowing how to present your message is key for example, if you're talking about money it is better to say "international tax" than "foreign tax" because not only does it sound better but the average individual hears the word foreign and tends to link the word with foreign oil, foreign profits or even Communist countries. People in America may not agree with the ideas or like their ways, which in turn means your message can be misunderstood by your public audience.
Monday, February 1, 2010
The Tipping Point Emerging Epidemic
The book “The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference,” by Malcolm Galdwell, was an interesting read and enlightening book. It sheds light on theories that social epidemics explode and spread throughout our society like a contagious disease that affects us all. For examples, include the 80/20 principle and the “broken widow theory.” These theories are a few of the ideas that impressed me in Galdwell’s book.
“The Tipping Point” provided the meaning of the 80/20 principle, which states that in any situation roughly 80 percent of the work will be done by 20 percent of its participants. As an example, Galdwell used crime to illustrate this theory by showing how 20 percent of criminals commit 80 percent of crimes in most societies. The 80/20 principle helped open my eyes to a bigger picture. In theory, not everyone can afford to do everything, so for the 80 percent of the world that likes fashion, cars, music or video games, only 20 percent are able to spend the money on them.
Not only can Galdwell point out the problems on a large scale, but he also gives future communicators the solution to go about solving problems that may arrive. Galdwell explains the “broken window theory” with a story about a person who takes the same route to and from work every day and passes a window that is broken and notices that the window has not been repaired. That person will more than likely trespass to see what is in the house. The way I look at it is that human beings are curious creatures and with a slight chance to steal, people will explore the situation. The underlying message for reducing crime was to fix the small things such as graffiti, trash and potholes in the streets. Those community upgrades will have an effect on people who do care about the community, instead of the opposite where the citizens don’t care about the community, because it is dirty. So why should they, is the attitude people choose to uphold.
Crime did drop significantly in those communities after the small changes were made. For me I think about the small choices I make in my life that can have a domino effect on my future, which will determine the path I walk.
“The Tipping Point” provided the meaning of the 80/20 principle, which states that in any situation roughly 80 percent of the work will be done by 20 percent of its participants. As an example, Galdwell used crime to illustrate this theory by showing how 20 percent of criminals commit 80 percent of crimes in most societies. The 80/20 principle helped open my eyes to a bigger picture. In theory, not everyone can afford to do everything, so for the 80 percent of the world that likes fashion, cars, music or video games, only 20 percent are able to spend the money on them.
Not only can Galdwell point out the problems on a large scale, but he also gives future communicators the solution to go about solving problems that may arrive. Galdwell explains the “broken window theory” with a story about a person who takes the same route to and from work every day and passes a window that is broken and notices that the window has not been repaired. That person will more than likely trespass to see what is in the house. The way I look at it is that human beings are curious creatures and with a slight chance to steal, people will explore the situation. The underlying message for reducing crime was to fix the small things such as graffiti, trash and potholes in the streets. Those community upgrades will have an effect on people who do care about the community, instead of the opposite where the citizens don’t care about the community, because it is dirty. So why should they, is the attitude people choose to uphold.
Crime did drop significantly in those communities after the small changes were made. For me I think about the small choices I make in my life that can have a domino effect on my future, which will determine the path I walk.
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