RSA Animate: Steven Pinker on Language as a Window into Human Nature

Why are bribes, requests, seductions, innuendos, and threats so often veiled?

Especially when, presumably, both parties know what they mean? (ex. "Would you like to come upstairs and see my etchings?"

Author and psychology professor Steven Pinker explores our use of "veiled language" through famous scenes in pop culture, including Fargo, When Harry Met Sally, and The Sopranos.

In this next installment of the insanely popular RSA Animate series, Cognitive Media continues to surprise, delight, and illuminate.

Our cultural use of linguistic conundrums are explained by combining master draughtsman skills, witty visual themes, and brilliant site gags inspired by the likes of Mad Magazine, James Thurber, and R. Crumb.

Remember, when the muscley, gangster-looking guy is not giving a compliment when he says: "Nice store you got here... it'd be a shame if something bad happened to it!" 

More at: http://www.youtube.com/user/theRSAorg

Posted via email from The Center for Graphic Facilitation