How Art Made The World 说服的艺术 -01

New York September 2004, the race for the White House was reaching a dramatic climax¹. The candidates were neck and neck in the polls. Both were now desperate to seize any advantage over the other. President Bush was heading for his party's convention at Madison Square Garden. This was effectively his last opportunity to get ahead. His advisers² knew that everything depended on how he was presented. They needed an iconic image to convince the American electorate³ that he was their man, and that would mean exploiting the power of art.

Well, although they didn't know it, the techniques that they turned to weren't of the modern day. The methods they would use had been invented thousands of years ago. Because the political power of art was discovered by kings and emperors in the ancient world, it was these leaders who first used imagery to manipulate their subjects. And today our modern politicians are exploiting those same visual strategies. This is the story of how those ancient leaders created techniques of visual persuasion⁴ so powerful, they've still got a hold on us today.

Inside Madison Square Garden, the delegates eagerly awaited the high point of the convention, the president's speech. His advisers knew they needed something memorable⁵ and dramatic. They decided⁶ to exploit the most potent⁷ political images of his presidency⁸, his presence at Ground Zero. Among the ruins of the World Trade Center, he looked strong and commanding and yet, he still appeared caring and warm. These were the pictures that defined his presidency. If his advisers could only tap into the power of these iconic images, they'd give their man a huge advantage.

1 climax   

n.顶点；高潮；v.(使)达到顶点

参考例句：

• The fifth scene was the climax of the play.第五场是全剧的高潮。
• His quarrel with his father brought matters to a climax.他与他父亲的争吵使得事态发展到了顶点。

2 advisers   

顾问，劝告者( adviser的名词复数 )； （指导大学新生学科问题等的）指导教授

参考例句：

• a member of the President's favoured circle of advisers 总统宠爱的顾问班子中的一员
• She withdrew to confer with her advisers before announcing a decision. 她先去请教顾问然后再宣布决定。

3 electorate   

n.全体选民；选区

参考例句：

• The government was responsible to the electorate.政府对全体选民负责。
• He has the backing of almost a quarter of the electorate.他得到了几乎1/4选民的支持。

4 persuasion   

n.劝说；说服；持有某种信仰的宗派

参考例句：

• He decided to leave only after much persuasion.经过多方劝说，他才决定离开。
• After a lot of persuasion,she agreed to go.经过多次劝说后，她同意去了。

5 memorable   

adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的

参考例句：

• This was indeed the most memorable day of my life.这的确是我一生中最值得怀念的日子。
• The veteran soldier has fought many memorable battles.这个老兵参加过许多难忘的战斗。

6 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

7 potent   

adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的

参考例句：

• The medicine had a potent effect on your disease.这药物对你的病疗效很大。
• We must account of his potent influence.我们必须考虑他的强有力的影响。

8 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。