SHARE:
view in browser

APRIL 13, 2018

Mark Zuckerberg was in the hot seat this week, answering questions for nearly five hours from the Senate Commerce and Judiciary Committee investigating privacy online. It was something to see! Up against all these Senators old enough to be his parents or grandparents, he held his own. He was prepped with solid answers to their questions. He was patient when he needed to be with Senators who clearly did not understand the digital world as well as they should. And he even dressed the part, trading in his usual tee shirt and jeans for a real business suit. All in all, a very strong performance that made for riveting viewing.

BUT… Did You Catch the (Metaphoric) Moment That Caught Him Off Guard?

While the CEO of Facebook appeared responsive, respectful, and reasonable in all his answers, you could tell that the Senators felt that Zuckerberg wasn’t really “getting” the degree of their concern about privacy, that he was more interested in sticking to a carefully prepared (and no doubt genuine) defense of Facebook.

The Senators’ factual questions were bouncing off him like bullets off a tank, until Senator Dick Durbin took a different approach to get Zuckerberg to really appreciate their concern. Below is the transcript of what he asked and how Zuckerberg responded. I strongly recommend you watch the short video of the exchange as well.

Sen. Dick Durbin asked Zuckerberg, "Would you be comfortable sharing with us the name of the hotel you stayed in last night?"

""Um," Zuckerberg said before a long pause. "No."

The audience and panel of senators erupted in laughter at Zuckerberg's hesitancy to answer the question.

"If you've messaged anybody this week, would you share with us the names of the people you've messaged?" Durbin asked.

"Senator, no, I would probably not choose to do that publicly here," Zuckerberg said.

"I think that might be what this is all about — your right to privacy, the limits of your right to privacy, and how much you'd give away in modern America," Durbin said.

What Durbin’s analogy was demonstrating is that just as Zuckerberg didn’t want his private information made public, online users should not have to have their information made public as well.

Few people will recall the technical questions that were asked. Many will remember the Durbin-Zuckerberg exchange and the point it made.

Most Dramatic Way to Make Your Point

Good analogies and metaphors bypass reason, (although there is a reasonable connection being made) to create instant associations and feelings in a listener to make your point.
The best ones draw from the experiences of your listener, as Senator Durbin demonstrated in the hearing.

What key points do you make in your presentations? What simple analogies--familiar to your listener--can you create to get the results you seek?

Anne Miller
Make What You Say Pay! — with Metaphors.

P.S. Click here to view the entire Congressional proceedings. I promise you, you will not be bored!

If you like these newsletters, please share them with clients,
colleagues and friends! — Thank you.

SHARE:

 

Make Your Presentations Count
Call today for a free presentation consultation.  Turn your information that tells into a story that sells. 212-876-1875 amiller@annemiller.com

"The best arguments
dazzle with metaphor"

Gerry Spence,
Media Commentator & Lawyer

The best firms hire brilliantly
& train relentlessly.

Having a Meeting?  Call today for fresh ideas to take your team to the next level 212-876-1875 or amiller@annemiller.com

"I've been to a lot of training programs and yours was the best!"
 -CRO, MediaMath
 

MMetaphor Minute Archives

Think "Themes"

Never Be Boring Again

A New Year's Resolution for Metaphor Pros

Links I like

www.changingminds.org
www.nurtureinstitute.com
www.americanrhetoric.com
www.salesopedia.com
www.salesrepradio.com
www.ted.com
www.takethecold.com

Great Resources:

www.suttoncreative.com
www.cartoonbank.com
www.sbsnet.com
www.videomystory.com
www.ceoshow.com