8. The animals made a simple commandment that they lived by “Four legs good two legs bad”
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15. The animals are happy during the next year. They believe they are working for themselves, despite being threatened with half rations if they do not work on Sunday
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17. Anything that goes wrong on the farm is blamed on Snowball who was earlier banished in the tale. Bad crops, It was snowball!!
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19. The animals are colder and hungrier than last winter, but Squealer recites statistics to assure them that even with a "readjustment" of rations they are better off now then before
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21. The pigs begin to walk on two legs, the new slogan is, "Four legs good, two legs better." There is only one commandment now: "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
22. All communication is biased. We all see the world through our specific color of glasses, even journalist and authority figures. There is no possible way to avoid information, word choice or delivery style that does not leans towards one side. Therefore, the best way to deal with incoming information is simply be aware of biases. To understand that when people communicate with you and you communicate with others, there are underlying agendas even if they happen to be at a conscious level.
23. From a young age we are taught by our parents and in traditional classrooms and settings that respect is best shown in the way of obedience. We also learn when communicating with an authority figure that “communication” is limited to a one sided. In Ira Shor’s article Education is Politics , he explains this custom as, “In traditional classrooms, students develop authority-dependence; they rehearse their futures as passive citizens and workers by learning that education means listening to teachers tell them what to do and what things mean.” Is there harm in consuming communication passively? There could be. Stanley Milgram’s 1961 experiment studied this very question. He wanted to see the effects of authority on behavior. The experiment had a “teacher” punish a “learner” with electric shocks when presenting an incorrect answer; the level of electricity increase with every wrong answer. The real experiment was analyzing how far the teacher would go because of an authoritative figure’s dictation, before stopping due to injury to the learner. The learner was an actor, and no damage was actually done, however the teacher was not aware of this fact and believed that harm was being done. The results of the experiment were horrific. The majority of teachers continued to hurt others, even after objections, just because authority communicated that it had to be done. Why is it important to be aware of the way we communicate? Communication is power.
24. How can communication have so much power? According to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, “If there is one unifying theme that crosses all disciplines, it is communication. Communication is our window to basic literacy and academic excellence. Reaching levels of excellence and accuracy of expression mandate mastery of formal English. These are the capabilities that cultivate the potential in each student and the possibilities for our future.” However, communication does play an even larger role then just in our academic futures. The understanding of the fundamentals of communication is a necessity for control and an active voice in our lives, as Milgram’s experiment points out. Powerful influencers of all times use the same tactics to be able to reach out and grab their audiences.
25. How powerful is the art of language? “ The difference between the right word and the almost right word is determined by the level of emotional identification that word prompts. In other words, the right emotional trigger words take the same basic message to all new heights.” (Clark) Words evoke emotion, whether that emotion is boredom or inspiration is dependent on the words we choose to convey our message. Correct and appropriate word choice is reliant on audience and setting, and also the real meaning you are expressing. Mark Twain wrote in a letter to George Bainton in 1888 that, “The difference between the almost right word & the right word is really a large matter--it's the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” The correct choice of words could mean someone listening, understanding and acting or merely passing by.
26. Is there any thing mightier then the word? The delivery of words is supreme above all. This point is best illustrated by the United States’ first televised presidential debate on September 26, 1960. Radio listeners of the debate knew Nixon had won with his substantial arguments; however the 70 million television witnesses were won over by Kennedy’s “smooth delivery and charisma” and declared him the winner. Kennedy won the election of 1960. The manner in which we display words, voice tone and body language is the most effective form of communication. “It has been estimated by communication researcher Professor Albert Mehrabian that words account for only 7 percent of the speaker’s effect on an audience. A massive 55 percent of the speaker’s impact comes from the visual i.e. how he looks, facial expression, gestures, body language and posture, etc., while 38 percent of his impact comes from voice: does he sound trustworthy, is his voice varied and interesting to listen to?” (Stuart) These compelling tactics have been used by many leaders throughout history to persuade needed change or to consume power. Martin Luther King Jr. could have never led a revolution without the powerful delivery skills of a preacher. Winston Churchill’s presence and conviction prevailed over his speech impediment and empowered him to speak against Nazi Germany. The mightiest of communicators is undoubtedly, Adolf Hitler. His power was emulsified when he spoke to his nation. The German people were immersed in his message. His use of language, voice tone and his visual effectiveness were the perfect combination for the total control.
27. Awareness Being aware of bias is our best and only option when it comes to communication. All communication is biased, whether we are listening or talking. Opinion creeps in wherever it can and it is our responsibility to decipher the true message. Passing along a message or creating one and using an authoritative position to further that message comes with boundaries. We have to ask ourselves, is this message for the greater good of the listener? Is it ethical to use my authority over others concerning this message? No matter the setting, whether it is educational, business related or political we have to be an active agent in our own lives. Be aware. Ignorance could lead to positive change or it could lead to devastation.
