Triggers, Signals, Signs, and Symbols

Precise and accurate words are required in order to have precise and accurate debates that are grounded in logic. If one side of a discussion is grounded in logic and reason, and the other side only offers emotion and feelings, there is little opportunity for agreement.

After 150 years of failed ideas, socialists, communists, and progressives have no arguments in logic to offer in the arena of political ideas.

Throughout all the world and in our own country, their ideas have failed and they more than anyone else understand that fact. Listening to Zohran Mamdani talk during his “Five Borough Anti Trump” campaign, makes one think of the Broadway show Music Man. Government run grocery stores, rent and housing price controls—he himself is living in subsidized housing though he draws a six- figure income not to mention an allowance from his parents who are living in the upper quintile of income, are ideas coming from a coddled life. Isn’t it interesting that most “virtue signaling” comes from the upper “coddled” classes!

Our politics today are no longer grounded in words and thoughts, but rather by signals, signs, and symbols. The difference in those words is nuanced, but the differences are significant. Here is a helpful outline from PERPLEXITY.

1. Signal

• Definition: A signal is something that conveys information or triggers a response in a direct, often physical or mechanical way.
• Characteristics:
  • Functions as a stimulus that prompts immediate action or interpretation.
  • Often cause-and-effect in nature.
  • Can be natural (e.g., smoke indicates fire) or artificial (e.g., a traffic light turning red).
• Example:
  • A train whistle is a signal that the train is approaching.
  • A rise in hormone levels signaling the body to react.

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2. Sign

• Definition: A sign is anything that stands for or indicates something else.
  • In a general sense, it’s broader than “signal”—a “sign” can be static, symbolic, or conventional.
• Characteristics:
  • Relies on recognition rather than just triggering automatic action.
  • May be understood through convention or direct observation.
  • Can be icons (look like what they represent), indexes (direct connection to what they represent), or symbols (abstract, conventional meaning—see below).
• Example:
  • A stop signs on the road.
  • Dark clouds as a sign of impending rain.
  • Handwriting on a door that says “Closed” as a sign the store isn’t open.

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3. Symbol

• Definition: A symbol is a special type of sign where the relationship between the sign and what it represents is arbitrary or agreed upon through culture/convention.
• Characteristics:
  • Meaning is learned, not directly obvious from the form.
  • Often carries layers of meaning or cultural depth.
  • Highly dependent on shared understanding among a group.
• Example:
  • The Christian cross as a symbol of faith.
  • National flags as symbols of countries.
  • The mathematical “π” symbol representing the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter.

Political debate from the left deals almost exclusively with signals and signs. These trigger responses at the most basic and emotional levels. An emotional “trigger” typically activates a rapid, automatic level of cognition—sometimes called “implicit” or “bottom-up” processing. Here’s how this works in cognitive science and psychology:

• Habitual Emotional triggers often begin with an immediate, unconscious reaction. My Australian Shepperd reacts and is “triggered” by a whistle. This initial stage is governed by subcortical brain structures (like the amygdala) that respond quickly to perceived threats or salient stimuli, sparking bodily sensations or action tendencies before conscious thought occurs. Sounds like Covid histrionics to me.
• This automatic reaction is considered a low-level cognitive process, as it happens without deliberate, conscious reasoning or reflection. It is fast and driven by emotional salience detected in the environment or thoughts.
• At higher levels of cognition, conscious awareness, interpretation, or regulation can come into play. People with high emotional awareness can notice and reflect on these triggers, integrating them with conscious reasoning and self-awareness. In summary, an emotional “trigger” first involves low-level, automatic/implicit cognitive processes—typically not requiring conscious awareness—though it can escalate to higher cognitive levels if you become consciously aware and begin to reflect or regulate your reactions.

When reading and listening to the words of those on the left like Bernie Sanders, AOC, and Zohran, I am immediately captivated by their mannerisms, their use of emotion, their faux empathy and sympathy—I am reminded that compassion requires an action. Anyone who has listened to one of Hitler’s speeches is many times captivated with his inflexions and mannerisms, even if we don’t speak German.

Here are some simple facts that can serve as a basis for a reasonable argument.

1. There is too much crime in our country—especially in big cities run by progressive politicians. We need more police, stronger prosecutors and judges who will apply the law as written understanding that as C. S. Lewis opined, “Mercy without justice becomes catastrophic”.
2. Our government at all levels is operating at a troubling inefficient level when compared to the private sector. This may be the result in many instances of corrupt governance practices. The position of special interest as agent between principle—politician, and citizen—object, is what has led to years of corrupt practices at all levels of government. Donald Trump knows this. This is what DOGE was all about. Corruption in government will become a major issue at all levels of government in the years to come. The politicians that understand this early on—like DJT, will benefit from rooting it out.
3. We cannot continue as a country and a society unless the RULE OF LAW prevails. Property rights and the duty of stewardship need to be secured. Contract rights need to be sacrosanct. The people need to believe that the process of governance and jurisprudence is not corrupt in order for our society to move forward politically and economically.
4. We need to continue to have the best military in the world—forever, if we want to secure our liberties for our children and grandchildren.

Our political debate needs NOT to be centered on low level cognitive feelings, but on arguments in logic, grounded in historical moral predicates. Moral discipline and self-control need to be brought back into the political debate. I don’t think politicians can ever be held to a standard of “telling the truth “because since the beginning of time they have lived by the adage “tell them what they want to hear, give them what they deserve”, or “other people’s time and labor, other people’s money”.

We should insist that they operate at a “higher cognitive level”, a higher logical level, and a higher ethical level. If we don’t, it will be back to the same old, same old—in our cities and towns, our State, and our Country.