Failed Conservative Values: They're Not Working - George Lakoff

Whereas when you think about progressive values it’s more like, I’m growing, I’m nurturing, I’m also doing for others around me.  I think of my mind as expanding, I learning things, I’m very open in my perspective.  And I also tend to be more scholarly – you’re learning all the time. 

That to me are progressive values.  And the essence of life, because there is so much to learn and grab around you.  And each time you get a new perspective, it enhances your shell of what it is around you.

That to me is the fundamental difference between progressive and conservative values.  A strict father versus a tree

Progressive Values Metaphor: Jim Dean - Hybrid v Largest SUV


Edwin: A Metaphor for Progressive Values?

Jim: Certainly some of the hybrid cars come to mind.  Simply because they serve a lot of different purposes, not just being good on gas.  They are enormously practical.  They have a certain style to them, but again, they are driven by pragmatism, not ostentatious like “who has the biggest car on the block”-type culture. 

I think they have what really appeals to Americans, since they have applied practical ideas as to how to run government and how to run the politics of this government.  That’s the first thing that comes to mind.  I’m not too good at word association, but certainly, it’s that sort of pragmatic approach.

You see that a lot in a lot of different communities.  You know, I work a lot in Vermont – that’s where our office is.  You see people who look at this thing as not about left or right.  Not about Republicans versus Democrats, but again, about a culture of activism over a culture of incumbency.

The activist part is about simply getting a practical approach to getting government to work for its folks, for its people, for all of its taxpayers.  It’s sort of being by right-wing ideology.

Edwin: Talking about right-wing ideology, what would conservative values be like?  What metaphor would you have for them.

Jim::  Well, right now, SUVs, the largest SUV – the Yukon – it’s as great a word association as I can think of – other than the fact that it’s large, has absolutely no value at all.  It uses up a lot of gas, it’s big and unwieldy.  It’s difficult to drive, and all it does is make a statement that kind of irrelevant right now.

Failed Conservative Values Metaphor: Brian - Threatened Bear and Fear

It’s reverse Robin Hood.  It’s help those who have.  Protect those who have, instead of the whole bigger value of a society is judged by how it takes care of its least fortunate. 

I don’t want to insult animals.  You’re asking me to make a metaphor relating to the animals?  Human being, whatever, in any microenvironment.  Whatever is the most powerful animal that already has.  Maybe a bear when they feel threatened.  I think that’s a good one.  A bear that feels threatened and then just strikes out and strikes everyone.

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