Lab+7

Lab 7: February 17, 2011

Rules for Radicals

Alinsky's rules are very salient as the suggestions still seem relevant 40 years later. Rule 2 stating “Never go outside the experience of your people. The result is confusion, fear, and retreat” is very applicable today. The audience needs to be able to grasp the concept in order to follow. The audience will not willingly react as lemmings over a cliff; they require communication that they can relate to. In theory it may sound as if using an extensive vocabulary of technical terms and nonchalantly mentioning historic events will strengthen the message it will not have the desired effect, and for good reason. If the orator assumes that the information is common knowledge they are making a presumption about their audience. For the listener, awareness of this lack of knowledge causes them to question themselves and may lead them to focus on the suggestion of their inferiority, leading to “confusion, fear, and retreat.” I have been in this situation and I can understand why it is crucial to avoid doing so. I have also been at the other end, personally going outside the experience of my audience. I believe the most difficult part would be to reach a common ground while still maintaining subject matter of interest and higher regard.