See a photo of Jane, her bio, Part 1 of this Q&A, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4.

Q&A with Jane Freese, Question 5:

Q: If you could identify a person or organization who desperately needs to tell a better story, who or what would it be?

A: Political liberals need better stories to market their ideas. Conservatives can frame their arguments within a context of what is already known and accepted. Progressives have a greater challenge in that change targets the unknown and the unknown is frightening. Cognitive linguist George Lakoff founded the liberal think tank, the Rockridge Institute, as a way to study and advance liberal ideas through framing — use of stories and metaphors. Sadly, the institute closed in 2008, but in his book, Thinking Points: Communicating Our American Values and Vision, he discusses how political arguments have an implicit and explicit narrative structure. Presenting a persuasive argument means telling a convincing story replete with heroes and villains.

President Obama won the election largely on the appeal of his personal story and what it said about us as a society. What the president needs now is a winning progressive story that inspires us to change direction. Compromise is rational and doesn’t stir emotions. In his jobs speech on September 8, 2011, President Obama referred to the political position, held my many conservatives, that rugged individualism requires we tell everyone they’re on their own. “[T]hat’s not who we are,” he said. “That is not the story of America.” We are beginning to understand that a great country needs a great story, one that reflects our highest aspirations.