September 08, 2008
…a “window” in the range of public reactions to ideas in public discourse, in a spectrum of all possible options on an issue. Overton described a method for moving that window, thereby including previously excluded ideas, while excluding previously acceptable ideas. The technique relies on people promoting ideas even less acceptable than the previous “outer fringe” ideas. That makes those old fringe ideas look less extreme, and thereby acceptable.
Spotted in Ian Bicking’s blog where he discusses the arrest of his sister for activities with the “RNC Welcoming Committee,” in Minneapolis. A brilliant post, especially given the anxiety that Ian must be feeling.