Michael -

This is a tremendously thought-provoking message. In particular, the article on the values myth felt like a well-deserved scolding; it is true that I have fallen into the attractive trap of smugly discounting the opposition as simple-minded, racist, sexist, homophobic, and a host of other unflattering descriptions. However, this is one of the primary features of groupthink, and it has been the cause of many spectacular failures across history. If we truly value diversity, it is essential that we work to understand the worldviews of those who see things differently than we do, to see them as complex human beings rather than caricatures, and to find a way to connect with their needs and fears. I do believe that the majority of people in the U.S. are not complex thinkers, but that shouldn't be taken to mean that we in the academy are inherently superior to other people -- we have simply been trained over many long years of schooling to think in terms of nuance. We are trained to read and analyze messages presented in complicated ways, and yet as these articles point out, even then we can still be trapped by a well-phrased sound byte. On the other hand, only about 25% of the U.S. population has graduated from college, much less has received an advanced degree. We learned as clinicians-in-training to speak to clients in clear rather than esoteric terms, and this should apply when we try to persuade people of the "rightness" of our positions. We as psychologists can and should take the time to engage in the complex analysis you're talking about, because with our advanced education came the responsibility to use it. Then, we need to use our skills and knowledge to find a way to communicate with a broader audience in their language rather than ours. While reducing this to messages on T-shirts is clearly taking this to the point of absurdity, not all persuasion is accomplished through logical argument (in fact, most probably isn't), and it seems important to look at the ways that images, symbols, and storytelling can convey messages of both logic and emotion. I don't see this as "talking down" to people, but rather it is putting a message in accessible form for people who are already pelted with more information than they can possibly digest every day. As you noted below, even some well-educated psychologists have trouble reading an entire email, and most of us would be bored to tears by each others' dissertations. You actually have already connected with these ideas in your presentations and workshops, which are full of memorable and inspiring images and stories.

How wonderful it would be if every school, religious group, and business in the country could experience something like the National Tour. Thank you again for continuing to challenge us to think, and for serving as a model as we move forward toward our shared goals.

Best,

Pam

Pamela F. Foley, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor and Practicum Coordinator Department of Professional Psychology & Family Therapy Seton Hall University South Orange, NJ 07079

(973) 275-2742