The Productive and Destructive Power of Repetition

Being a seasoned advertising and marketing professional I know the power of repetition.   In the advertising world it is known as "frequency of message".  Various studies have proven that it takes a minimum of 9 times for a consumer to hear or see an advertising message to begin to move them off the mark towards making a purchase or take the action you want them to take.  The more repetition, the more powerful your results will be.  

Today we see the power of repetition play out in "sound bite" reporting on local and national newscasts.  Effective speakers and motivators know how to use this powerful formula all too well.  When the message is positive and proactive it can be effective in motivating the masses in a positive way.  When the message is negative and counterproductive it can also motivate the masses towards destructive behavior.

One of the best examples of harnessing this power was Adolf Hitler.  We all know what results he brought to the world and the desperate German people from the 1930's through the end of WWII with his frequency of message.

One of the worst things to happen to American Democracy and the political process in recent times was allowing "Super Packs" to influence the decision making process of voters.  As an advertising professional it disgusts me that these Super Packs are not held accountable to telling the truth.  Truth in advertising simply doesn't exist in politics.  You don't have to prove the "facts" listed as true, you don't have to reveal your source of information, you simply get away with spreading any lie you wish to tell.  The same does not hold true in commercial advertising.  It is truly unfair!

Enter Donald Trump, who knows all too well the power of television to automatically make you an expert, who knows how to use the "sound bite", and who has no problem whatsoever in spreading his small message of lies and hatred.  Crooked Hillary...Lyin' Ted...Little Marco...are just sound bites pounded into heads with enough frequency to make them appear true, while at the same time painting himself as a "winner".

One of baseball's most decorated players, Ty Cobb, spent his entire life trying to debunk the lies spread so frequently about him.  A man, by those who play the game, should be revered as one of the best who ever played, is better known as the most despicable creatures who ever graced the baseball diamond.  The fact remains...they are lies.  Please take the time to read this recent article, which shares the true story of Ty Cobb:  https://imprimis.hillsdale.edu/who-was-ty-cobb-the-history-we-know-thats-wrong/

Repetition can be a good thing.  Just be aware when it used to try to motivate you in a negative way.

Sir Hook the Repetitive of Warrick

Unity Through Diversity...Explained Once Again!

As those who have followed us over the years know, The Knights of Creativity Spirit & Ale was founded on the principle of UNITY THROUGH DIVERSITY!  There have been several excellent posts written about this throughout the years, which you can read by clicking the links below:

http://knightscsa.blogspot.com/2009/02/unity-through-diversity-lesson-for.html

http://knightscsa.blogspot.com/2008/09/no-more-holy-wars.html

http://knightscsa.blogspot.com/2010/10/unity-through-diversity-time-to-tug.html

http://knightscsa.blogspot.com/2015/03/kiss-meim-human.html

However, with the USA election of 2016, it is once again necessary...nay, obligatory...for the KCSA to speak up about why Unity Through Diversity is essential to progress.  Donald Trump is being hailed by the extreme right and political experts as nothing we've ever seen before.  WRONG!

Trump and his narrow belief system is nothing new at all...in fact, it's just another in a long line of American soar spots that have once again risen to the surface like the virus it is.  American Indians blocked our way to expansion, so they were vilified and swept away.  Italian and Irish immigrants were persecuted and murdered for stealing our jobs in the late 1800's and early 1900's.  Mexican Americans have often been the target of hatred since Texas declared independence from them and the resulting wars that followed.  German Americans were forced to drop their language, newspapers and traditions during WWI and WWII.  Japanese Americans were rounded up in camps during WWII, not unlike the German concentration camps, minus the gas and fire chambers, while those same Japanese Americans young enough to fight were sent to fight Germans and became the most decorated unit during the war.  Supposed communists were black listed by the fear and hatred of Senator McCarthy in the 50's.  Now the fear and hatred of Muslims, Blacks, Progressives and basically any Immigrant is trying to permeate our society once again with the help of the likes of Trump.

Walls don't work!  Just ask the Romans in Britain or the Chinese.  Instead of erecting walls we should be embracing diversity!  Fear is the fuel that drives hatred on its destructive course.  Without fear, ISIS will cease to exist.  Trump needs ISIS and FEAR to fuel his hate engine.  We need the strength and grace to embrace diversity.  As my Grandmother Baker told me, "You have to look your fear in the face and make it yours."  Or as FDR so famously stated, "We have nothing to fear except fear itself!"

Besides, if we didn't embrace diversity we wouldn't have such wonderful mixing of cultures that result in wonders like Tex-Mex and Creole food.  The same people who want to build a wall don't have a problem downing chips and salsa at a Mexican restaurant.

I have become a better person by embracing diversity in my life.  I'm a registered Republican, who is very liberal and often votes Democrat.  I'm also a member of the NRA, even though I despise how they corrupt our political system.  I love learning about new foods, drinks, cultures and I love to travel.  I was raised Southern Baptist but I'm now a practicing Roman Catholic, though in all honesty I much prefer my Cherokee belief system with a nice glass of Buddhism and a Zen salad.

So, join me brave knights and ladies as we once again saddle up to do battle with the dark side of humanity.  UNITY THROUGH DIVERSITY!  NO FEAR!  HAVE THE GRACE TO EMBRACE!

Sir Hook the Diverse of Warrick