What used to be productive communication has denigrated into toxic shouting matches. Whether it’s the scorched earth political abuse that has served Donald Trump so well, character attacks fogging the climate change argument or the messages emanating from big brands around flashpoint issues (big oil or the gun lobby, for example), we’ve seen critical thinking, engagement and constructive dialogue be thrown by the wayside in exchange for headline-grabbing abuse and shrill megaphone matchups.
PR expert and celebrated author Jim Hoggan has just released an incredible book – I’m right and you’re an idiot – that dissects our language’s destruction by a host of forces. In this podcast, Jim and I explore some of the highlights and surprises of his book, and dig into the implication for brands trying to build an audience that alternates between shell shock and cynical disbelief.