It is hard enough to convince one other person but to do so with millions of people takes some outrageous oratory skills. There is no denying that persuasion is only partly accomplished with words but without the right words it gets exponentially harder. The religions of old are a product of some profound arguments and the most effective manner of delivering these argument is rhetoric. Ideological demigods always knew oral propaganda to be the most potent tool at their disposal. And today we see a shining example of what the spoken word can accomplish in Mr. Barack Obama.
The understanding of language and the ways in which it moves people is complex and goes beyond the mere use of apt syntax or appropriate semantics. A compelling argument will do to people what a magnet does to nails: attract and align. Today Mr. Obama gave yet another rousing speech titled "On a New Beginning" at Cairo University addressed to the Muslims of the world. Someone shouted out "We love you" and no one was reaching for their shoe, a marked improvement for the office of President of United States in the space of six months. A change in voice can do that, obviously the message was different from the Bush doctrine but also the way it was delivered must hold some bearing. Here was the most profound manifestation of what one man's words can do in shaping the image of a nation in the eyes of a people.
Mr. Obama has been doing this for sometime now, from the Democratic National Convention of '04 and "A More Perfect Union" speech from his own campaign to the "Yes We Can" victory address and "A World without Nuclear Weapons" speech in Prague. Even the Tricky Abortion debate at Notre Dame was handled with sensitivity and understanding. Some of this leading to a Daily Show comedy sketch comparing Obama to Superman! Mr. Obama too has mockingly compared himself to Jesus for all the fans of his sermons.
Every country has been on the hunt for its own Obama since his rise but what the public means by this is not the just the politics and symbolism of Mr. Obama but also the appeal that such oratory kindles in them. Indian media too was awash with the search of the Indian Obama and leaders in all parts of the country have cited the American leader as an inspiration and cast themselves as his Indian avatar during the recent elections. But persuasion is a talent that is elusive to most. In Andhra Pradesh, India a popular movie actor, Mr. Chiranjeevi tried his hand at using a similar message of change in his campaign for the state election, but his speeches were a disappointment and his campaign derailed.
(In Picture: Praja Rajyam Party's Chiranjeevi projected as a Mr. Obama's counterpart in Andhra Pradesh, India)
Yet all is not lost for the Indian politician, I'll conclude this piece therefore with an example of a combative speech given in the thick of the Trust Vote debate in the Indian Parliament by Mr. Omar Abdullah on July 22nd 2008. This one speech helped many conclude that what transpired on that shameful day was atleast not a complete farce.
The understanding of language and the ways in which it moves people is complex and goes beyond the mere use of apt syntax or appropriate semantics. A compelling argument will do to people what a magnet does to nails: attract and align. Today Mr. Obama gave yet another rousing speech titled "On a New Beginning" at Cairo University addressed to the Muslims of the world. Someone shouted out "We love you" and no one was reaching for their shoe, a marked improvement for the office of President of United States in the space of six months. A change in voice can do that, obviously the message was different from the Bush doctrine but also the way it was delivered must hold some bearing. Here was the most profound manifestation of what one man's words can do in shaping the image of a nation in the eyes of a people.
Mr. Obama has been doing this for sometime now, from the Democratic National Convention of '04 and "A More Perfect Union" speech from his own campaign to the "Yes We Can" victory address and "A World without Nuclear Weapons" speech in Prague. Even the Tricky Abortion debate at Notre Dame was handled with sensitivity and understanding. Some of this leading to a Daily Show comedy sketch comparing Obama to Superman! Mr. Obama too has mockingly compared himself to Jesus for all the fans of his sermons.
Every country has been on the hunt for its own Obama since his rise but what the public means by this is not the just the politics and symbolism of Mr. Obama but also the appeal that such oratory kindles in them. Indian media too was awash with the search of the Indian Obama and leaders in all parts of the country have cited the American leader as an inspiration and cast themselves as his Indian avatar during the recent elections. But persuasion is a talent that is elusive to most. In Andhra Pradesh, India a popular movie actor, Mr. Chiranjeevi tried his hand at using a similar message of change in his campaign for the state election, but his speeches were a disappointment and his campaign derailed.
(In Picture: Praja Rajyam Party's Chiranjeevi projected as a Mr. Obama's counterpart in Andhra Pradesh, India)
Yet all is not lost for the Indian politician, I'll conclude this piece therefore with an example of a combative speech given in the thick of the Trust Vote debate in the Indian Parliament by Mr. Omar Abdullah on July 22nd 2008. This one speech helped many conclude that what transpired on that shameful day was atleast not a complete farce.
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