This book shows how language can be used strategically to manipulate
beliefs.From Machiavelli to P. T. Barnum to Donald Trump, many have
perfected the art of strategically using language to gain the upper
hand, set a tone, change the subject, or influence people's beliefs
and behaviors. Language--both words themselves and rhetorical tactics
such as metaphor, irony, slang, and humor--can effectively manipulate
the minds of the listener. In this book, Marcel Danesi, a renowned
linguistic anthropologist and semiotician, looks at language that is
used not to present arguments logically or rationally, but to "move"
audiences in order to gain their confidence and build consensus. He
demonstrates that through language techniques communicators can not
only sway opinions but also shape listeners' very perception of
reality. He assesses how the communicative environment in which the
art of the lie unfolds--such as on social media or in
emotionally-charged gatherings--impacts the results.Danesi also
investigates why lies are often accepted as valid. Artful lying fits
in with an Internet society that is largely disinterested in what is
true and what is false and in which attention is often given to speech
that is entertaining or persuasive. Have we become immune to lies
because of a social media discourse shaped by untruths? In an
electronic age where facts are deemed irrelevant and conspiracies are
accorded as much credibility as truths, this book discusses the
implications of lying and language for the future of belief, ethics,
and American democracy itself.
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Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9781633885974
Publisert
2019
Utgiver
Vendor
Prometheus
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Digital bok
Forfatter