Our textbook authors include fascinating research on the persuasive power of met

Our textbook authors include fascinating research on the persuasive power of metaphors. First, read the newspaper article linked below, which offers a succinct overview of the use of metaphors in science and politics. (The Star Trek Next Generation episode referred to in the Guardian piece is called Darmok. It’s a very cool exploration [well, I think so!] of communication and miscommunication. It’s no longer availble via open source, but if you enter Darmok into your search engine you’ll find some subscription options if you’d like to check it out. The reportedly free one didn’t yield anything on my quick try.) https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/15/like-a-moth-to-a-flame-we-are-drawn-to-metaphors-to-explain-our-world 1. We’ll visit this topic again when we study social influence, but in the context of automatic cognition, the Guardian entry and the uploaded scientific article on political beliefs and metaphor are apt illustrations of “below the radar” mentation. After reading both carefully note three new pieces of information you gleaned. What is your take overall on the benefits and potential drawbacks of metaphoric use? Are there particular context variables that you judge might make metaphors more or less influential? 2. Completely optional: If you have one of the subscription services that offer Darmok and you watch it (yes, all the while forgiving the clunky special effects!), what do you think? Do you agree with Picard’s assertion at the end that a knowledge of our own cultures could enhance our ability to understand the cultures of others? Why do you believe what you do?