This is a technique that can elicit a strong emotional response from a group without, that is WITHOUT, any ANY reference to content or concept, or for that matter, reality.
Andy's post enabled a connection to be made for me between this technique and the Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques of "Key Word" use.
Bottom line: Obama's speeches may mean absolutely nothing to those who are read-oriented or who may visualize words in print as they hear them. But, they don't have to. This is not a good thing.
Thanks, Andy, now please, go scare someone else!
Ping and apology for html foul-up.
NLP has been around a long time, and involves numerous techniques to subtly influence or persuade others, alter perceptions, model or change behaviors, etc. Like anything else that deals with influencing peoples' states of mind, it is most certainly subject to abuse (sometimes, amazingly enough, by politicians!). Sales people and corporate trainers are among those I have seen employ NLP in their business dealings, and a number of "self-improvement" gurus have made good money by promoting these sorts of techniques as a means to overcoming fear and negative self-images.
There are other techniques as well that can be used for both good - or nefarious - purposes. For example, in my business role as a group process facilitator, I use a number of methods in order to keep people focused and on task. But because I desire to have no personal interest in the outcome - and frequently remind them as much - I am careful to allow people to develop and build their own consensuses, while I stay studiously objective and neutral.
Now: let's assume that I were being less than honest with my group, and harbored a secret agenda that depended upon achieving a very specific consensus among the members. I might then use something called the "Delphi Technique". Google that one, just for fun.