"Framing"

It's my second blog post, and I am really excited because I am finally getting the hang of how to blog. So far I am only blogging about topics we discuss in my Case Studies class. Today or should
I say tonight my topic is "framing."

Framing is a PR tool often used to help get a message across to or influence public opinion. Some see it as a social theory that can be used to help people understand or respond to news media.

One major topic we are focusing on in class that is often framed is the issue of global warming. Often the media frame things to make us think that global warming is not as bad as some make it seem. For example, many politicians will choose their words very carefully so that people do not really understand the seriousness of this issue.

After reading James Hoggan's book "Climate Cover-Up," I have a better understanding of how Hoggan is trying to help us understand issues on global warming. Hoggan's book puts many people and organizations in the spotlight on how they try to frame themselves as people who are really concerned about global warming. For example, our past president George W. Bush tried to include policies aimed at global warming, but he actually had terrible initiatives such as "Clear Skies," which would harm the environment and cost the U.S. much more money.

When it comes to framing, we have to be more proactive and research things for ourselves and not let the media control our minds and dictate how much we know on any issue, especially when it comes to global warming. I challenge you to do your own research and see how this issue has been framed.

The Tipping Point

In The Tipping Point, Gladwell tells us that The Tipping Point is when ideas or products, messages and behaviors begin to spread. It becomes an epidemic or a virus. Some examples of this are when Gladwell explains to us how Hush Puppies started out as a shoe that no one knew about or wore, and then all of sudden when a few people started to wear them, everyone becomes interested in the shoe. Designers want to use Hush Puppies in their collections, actor Pee-Wee Herman began wearing them, and then the idea of Hush Puppies tipped and became an epidemic where everyone wanted to wear this popular pair of shoes.

Another example that describes The Tipping Point was when Gladwell explained the stickiness factor. Joan Ganz Cooney, Gerald Lesser and Lloyd Morrisett had to create "Sesame Street" as a television show that would help educate young children. After conducting several tests and making small adjustments in how they would present it to preschoolers, they found that children were learning from this show, therefore "Sesame Street" sticked.

Gladwell's idea of The Tipping Point applies to public relations because the goal is to get the message out to the publics with hopes that the message sticks. Once the idea sticks within the publics, then, it will "tip."

The 80/20 rule, according to Gladwell, tella us that 20 percnt of the people do 80 percent of the work. With this in mind we know that it really only takes a few people to make an idea "tip."