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(Bradley) Chelsea Manning & Emojis

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Bradley Chelsea Manning is in the news again.

Not for leaking 750,000 classified military docs to WikiLeaks and being court-martialed, but for the awkward acceptance to and very quick dismissal from an esteemed Harvard fellowship.

Manning took to Twitter to voice disbelief and outrage with the help of 17,000 emojis.

Don’t get us wrong, DMG loves a well-timed emoji. As they become more mainstream, using emojis in your online message can be a great way to emphasize your statement.

But it’s a careful balance. The setting matters, and you’re doing it wrong if you use more emojis than words to communicate a serious message.

Manning’s over-use of emjois weakened the “I should be a Harvard fellow” message, and legitimized Harvard’s decision to revoke the fellowship.

A good rule of thumb for you and your online communication? When you use more emojis than words, you’re not communicating.

B²: Free college for everyone!

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Round 2 of political conventions kicked off last night. Leading up to the DNC’s party in Philly, it was pretty easy to guess what topics the Dems might highlight – income equality, a woman’s right to choose, and #NeverTrump. But the email scandal revealed by Wikileaks has Hillary desperate to change the conversation and court Millennials – Bern’s biggest supporters.

Cue chants of FREE COLLEGE FOR EVERYONE!

In order to sway those diehard Millennials for Bernie, Hillary has to speak their language by propping up the causes they champion AS WELL AS creating distance between herself and the DNC emails.

Because Hillary will cheer loudly for “free” college this week, do you know how to project a voice of reason?

Good thing it’s Tuesday, B² day.

Here is this week’s likely media question and the B² (block and bridge) that sets the narrative straight:

Q: “What do you think about ‘free’ college?”

B²: “As we all know, free is never free. While we agree that college should be accessible and affordable for those who need a college degree to advance in their careers, the problems of ‘free’ college should be addressed. <Insert talking point>.”

Wherever you take the conversation next, reiterate that free is never free. Illustrate this point by citing monetary costs (obviously), but also opportunity costs. Yes, there will be an inevitable spike in the cash money each person owes (because someone has to pay for it!), but students will also suffer when their educational choices are diminished. College is good and necessary for some, but not for all. And those who don’t need a college education shouldn’t be punished via a larger tax bill to subsidize their fellow Millennial’s skip down Ivy League lane.