Marwell & Smitt: Kocholigarchy

2014 Koch Industries - We Are Koch 

Published on Jun 8, 2014

This short video came out early last year to tell Americans how good the Koch brothers are for the economy.  I haven't decided if that is true.   I am concerned about the money they spend on financing ad campaigns during elections.  The media has slowly been attempting to educate the American voting public as to who these Koch men are and the financial power they wield.  The following quote from their social media campaign seems to send a mixed message if you read between the lines.

"We're excited to announce a new campaign to tell the story of Koch Industries from our start in America's heartland. While you might not always see our name on the products you use, we're working to provide innovations in products you need every day. Together, we are Koch. Visit www.kochcareers.com to learn more."

The Koch brothers are so excited to be a large company that they are an industry in of themselves.  We don't usually see them directly because their influence is effectively intertwined with many of the products we buy and use regularly. They nearly spell out their influence as an oligarchy to be proud of.

Process Premises

Classic targeting of our psychological process is presented by these Koch professionals. Their video carefully and artfully offer us security though the tens of thousands of jobs they create. We depend on them.  We are invited to join them, thus offering belonging and safety.  Credit needs to be given for their positive approach with regard to themselves. They appear innovative and flawless.  We would be silly to not want to be with them.  

Marwell & Schmitt's Taxonomy Case in Point

The "Moral Appeal" is used convincingly in the video.  Koch Industries is built on "American values and skills".  In other words we will respect the Koch brothers if we are true Americans.  They assert to "working every day..." to make necessities to improve American lives.  If you value work then you will value Koch Industries.  America is the land of opportunity and Koch Industries makes that possible.  If you want to improve your life you will respect Koch Industries.  Marwell and Schmitt would agree that the moral appeal is effectively communicated through pictures and presentation.


Trusting the Koch brothers intentions should be a consideration for all voting Americans, because their monetary power is a reality.  We will continue to see their influence even if their name is not directly attached.  Buyer beware.  If we are naive to the messages most excellently created and promoted, we will be lead by the few making a Kocholigarchy possible. 

What's Rotary; Outside Class Presentation

Rotary International has been a part of my life for over 10 years.  It has filled an important need to foster a sense of community since leaving the Mormon church.  Being that I am the membership director this year, creating a basic introduction to non-members seemed like a good idea with this informative/persuasive presentation.  I especially enjoy my clubs unique characteristics and want other like minded community members to consider if we are a good fit for them.

I presented the 5 minute Rotary introduction to non-traditional students in a small auditorium.  The presentation was  designed to certainly be improved upon and used with other groups.  Before the presentation, I did get some feedback from the club presidency and made some adjustments based on their suggestions.  Although, the best suggestions came from my student peers who knew what to look for. They were given an evaluation form based on the grading rubric presented in the course.

The presentation included 9 slides and I was concerned that may be too many.  I wasn't marked down for that; however, I did get caught looking at the slides far too often, which hurt my score significantly.  I was hoping my glances to make sure the technology was working wasn't noticeable.  I learned that was the biggest downfall when presenting too many slides.  It simply created a distraction to myself.

As much as I enjoyed giving the presentation, my nerves showed through in my breathing. Apparently, I gave many sighs while attempting to speak and keep my heart oxygenated simultaneously.  Public speaking has always been a battle and I do continue to get better with practice, but the gift certainly has not been developed fully.

Ultimately, I scored fairly well.  Surely, more practice, better memorization, and learned relaxation skills would have resulted in higher scores.  Wednesday morning 7:30 am at the Best Western Abbey Inn on Bluff St., I will offer this presentation again for yet more feedback from my club.  If anyone in the class wants to join us for a free breakfast and see what we are all about, please just let me know. Call/text me at (435) 619-2821 or email me at kp000029@gmail.com

Evaluation form used Oral Presentation Evaluation

How to Speak as the Reich's Triumphant Individual

Julian Treasure: How to speak so that people want to listen

Published June 27, 2014

Julian Treasure has several TED Talks posted.   We can assume that he is recognized for his skill on the subject from at least a TED Talks perspective.  Also, since our course is focused on teaching us useful tools about how to publicly speak while integrating technology,  Treasure offers some public speaking suggestions worth considering.

The Process

Treasure begins his speech by expressing how important the human voice is and how it can be used "to speak powerfully to make change in the world".   This helps the listener to understand the sense of power the human voice has when used appropriately.  He offers seven deadly sins to avoid when presenting a speech.  

The opinions on the subject are expressed as Treasure's personal beliefs from examples and his personal experiences.  He presents his points clearly and concisely generating credibility. Treasure literally trains a huge crowd how to speak more effectively.  The talk is less then 10 minutes, which allows for an easy listen.

The Triumphant Individual

Robert Reich would agree with Treasure that the voice is a "powerful tool".  Reich supports the efforts of the few to use their voice effectively to create change in how others think, feel, believe, and behave.  Treasure does his best to offer us all skills than can be honed to wield a display of hope to influence  many or few depending a speakers sphere of influence.  At the same time the skills taught by Treasure can also be used against us as Reich would suggest.  

It seems that Treasure does his best to inspire speeches that are ethical at all levels.  He also insists that the presenter end on a positive note.  Reich tends to emphasise the negative aspects of "the triumphant individual", by pointing out the ugliness that exists in American culture and politics.  

If hope in American culture is to be propagated, then Treasure effectively teaches us how to do it.

A Message of Peace or Myth

Leonardo DiCaprio (UN Messenger of Peace)

Climate Summit 2014
Opening Ceremony 23 Sep 2014 

As many of us wonder if the idealism of the UN has any real affect on the world, it remains a form of hope in the the American psyche.  As a popular actor recognized throughout much of the world, DiCaprio admits that he is not an "expert" or scientist but a "concerned citizen".  Yet, he claims he knows the facts.

Process Premises

It appears that the DiCaprio ego needs an outlet to offer the world something more than the actor has been able to provide on the entertainment screen.  This need is certainly fulfilled through a most creative outlet, a supposed stage of the world.  Somehow this stage provides a level of esteem that DiCaprio believes will be significant.

Another premise of DiCaprio's message is one of fear and guilt, ironically presented as an appointed "Messenger of Peace".  His certitudes are listed in an alarming tone while claiming that the message is not his alone but supported by the US military as "the greatest security threat".   

DiCaprio's third premise is based on his belief that a healthy planet environment is an "inalienable human right".  He demonizes those who pretend that climate change will sort itself out.  He suggests that those who ignore the realities should be held accountable.

Finally, DiCaprio expresses the most effective process premise through cognitive dissonance.  He holds the world accountable for failing to take preemptive actions to alleviate the damages created by out of control polluters.   Surely translated into the diverse languages of the planets representatives, his reprimand is a cause for discomfort. 

Larson's Probable Analysis

Several cultural myths can be applied to DiCaprio's presentation. Larson, C. (2000) Cultural premises in persuasion. In Persuasion: Reception and Responsibility (pp. 228-252). .Belmont CA: Wadsworth.  Since Larson refers specifically from an American perspective, it is appropriate to note that DiCaprio is truly speaking from that frame to an audience that has cultural values he likely naively disregards.  

Larson's myth of "The Possibility of Success", is perhaps the strongest motive for DiCaprio's plea to the world.  With no regard to any other world cultural plight, DiCaprio implores that action must be taken "my friends, this body, perhaps more than any other gathering in human history, now faces this difficult but achievable task...".  Again DiCaprio is convinced that saving the environment is not easy but "achievable".  

Many Americans likely agree with DiCaprio's sentiment, but Larson might argue that several other world cultures might disagree with the priority DiCaprio attempts to establish in about 4 minutes time. 

Persuasion Application: Just Capitalism and BJ Fogg's Behavioral Model

Just Capitalism and BJ Fogg's Behavioral Model

Paul Tudor Jones II: Why we need to rethink capitalism
TED 2015 · 9:51 · Filmed Mar 2015

Paul Tudor Jones II, a self professed capitalist, opens the listeners mind to the ethical dilemma society and corporations face when determining priorities.  He attempts to inform and gently alarm the listener with simple slide show reports of how society has allowed corporations to make profits the end all, "it's like we've ripped the humanity out of our companies."   

The presentation is effective considering several methods espoused by those of JB Fogg, a Stanford PhD, who would agree that Jones effectively starts his presentation by designing specific "triggers" to evoke emotion and prompt changes in behavior. Jones alerts us to a corporate vs. humanity double standard of values that is "threatening the very underpinnings of our society." By highlighting the current absurdness of corporate values "profits mania" and the ever growing income inequality; the listener can't help but ask how do we fix this problem?  Jones openly admits there needs to be a "tremendous change in the behavior" in spite of the challenges.  

After Jones clearly charts the direction we are headed and the catastrophic options we have for natural change, he suggests that there is a specific way to promote behavioral change through increasing corporate "justness".  Fogg would ask how do you get corporations to change their behavior, or what behavior(s) are specifically wanted.  Jones suggests increased corporate philanthropy as a good start.  Yet he admits that is not enough.   

Additionally, Jones suggests that the general oblivious public is part of the problem and needs to get engaged by simply responding to the free-market capitalistic system.  As a successful CEO, Jones knows that companies must respond to their customers.  He offers a non-profit organization designed to simply survey 20,000 Americans annually asking what the corporate standard should be.  http://justcapital.com/

"We will track – in an unbiased and transparent way - the top 1000 companies in the country to see how they rank against America’s definition of just. We’re calling it the JUSTIndex. And we will make all results available to you, the public. Why? Simple. By shining a light on what it means to be just, we think we can define, inspire and reward more just behavior, not only in companies, but in investors, consumers, all of us."

Fogg would likely agree that taking this step makes engaging and changing behavior more easy by simply promoting more communication between corporations and the public.  Jones is convinced that by holding corporations creatively accountable, human society will naturally improve through just means and actions by individuals.

My analysis motivated me to follow the link and simply accept to be contacted for surveying by email.  I hope this presentation will motivate you to do likewise.