Quite often important messages get trumped by all the wrong things. We focus on the negative as it’s easier to do and we don’t alway s know all the facts before making a decision. Because of this some good things lose out.

In this example, a library was facing a lack of funds and wanted to get a .07% tax increase to save the library. However anti-tax groups flooded the town with negative propaganda and the library was sure to lose the money and close down.

Thus, they decided to have a book burning party after the election that they were sure to lose. Turns out, a book burning party makes people much more irate than taxes. So much so that the town voted, in record numbers, for the tax increase to save the library.

It’s a great example of how reverse psychology can be a powerful tool when done properly.