Acting legend Arnold Schwarzenegger’s video talk to Russians has spread on social media around the world. The video has also been watched a lot in Russia. According to the professor of communications, speech is a test of skill.
Former actor and governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger, 74, released a video speech last week calling for an end to the Russian offensive war. The nearly ten-minute speech has garnered tens of millions of views on various social media platforms. Twitter alone has seen about 35 million views.
The video has also been uploaded to the Telegram communications application, which is still in use in Russia. There, too, the video has garnered more than 600,000 views, says the Swedish Broadcasting Corporation SVT (switch to another service). Russia has shut down many other social media platforms.
Schwarzenegger addresses his speech specifically to the Russians so that they know what is happening in Ukraine. The video is also subtitled in Russian.
Why has the petition published by a former bodybuilder and actor become so hugely popular? According to the professor of speech communication, it’s no wonder, as he says Schwarzenegger’s video speech is like a textbook of rhetoric.
– In short, there is a clear goal in the speech. All the pieces aim for this goal and the speech forms a cohesive whole. It has a clear beginning and end. In addition, it is easy to follow, sums up the professor of communication at the University of Tampere Pekka Isotalus.
The Russians are not being blamed for the speech
Born in Austria in 1947, Arnold Schwarzenegger weaves a lot of personal stories into the speech. He sets in motion how he has always loved Russia and the Russians. He recalls an important memory when he met a legendary Russian weightlifter at the age of 14 Yuri Petrovich Vlasovinthe strongest man in the world.
– Such a personal and emotional story increases interest and credibility, says Isotalus.
In the video, Schwarzenegger even presents a small beautifully decorated cup of coffee he received from Vlasov decades later while filming a film in Moscow.
As his speech progresses, Schwarzenegger points out many times how he has only good memories and experiences of the Russians.
– This shows that the speaker wants only good things for the Russians. He is never to blame.
Facts about it
When the reception is made with emotions, it is the turn of the facts.
Schwarzenegger tells what is happening in Ukraine. He tells the news about the devastation of the war and the suffering of civilians. He patiently explains by examples how almost the whole world is on the Ukrainian side. He argues that the Russians would tell forward how things are in the light of the facts. He does not blame the Russians for believing in state propaganda, but hopes the right information will spread.
– The speech perfectly realizes the elements of good speech developed by Aristotle 2,500 years ago.
According to Aristotle, the cornerstones of rhetoric are: logos, or appealing to knowledge, ethos, or the credibility of the speaker, and pathos, or influencing emotions.
Isotalus also points out that the speech already has built-in objections that the other party might raise.
– They are made useless in advance.
The background of the actor is shown in the speech
Arnold Schwarzenegger is best known as an actor in action movies. The best-known roles are in Cona’s Barbarian and Terminator movies.
The background of the actor is also shown in the video speech.
– Even if the speech is written, it seems like a spontaneous speech, says Isotalus.
Towards the end of the speech, Schwarzenegger speaks directly to Putin.
– You started the war. You are leading this war. You can end this war, Schwarzenegger says.
The ten-minute speech began with a youth weightlifter hero. Schwarzenegger concludes by saying that today his heroes are those who have dared to protest the war in Russia.
– Mr Schwarzenegger is speaking really well. I would say one of his best roles.
The speech of the 74-year-old American movie star is aimed at an older audience. Just for those who get their information primarily from Russian state television. They may be familiar with old action movies from the 1980s. The macho nature of Schwarzenegger may also appeal to them.
Although the speech has reached the Russians as desired, we do not know what the reception really was like. What thoughts or actions has the speech produced? Or is it just interpreted as a different kind, Western propaganda?
– We do not have comprehensive information on this. The key to a successful speech is the reception.
You can discuss the topic until Wednesday 23.3. until 11 p.m.