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originally posted by: Maxmars
"Propaganda" is one of the most abused topics in the history of topics.
Generally speaking, presentations about propaganda are filled with examples that give the impression that all propaganda is "enemy" propaganda. It's almost ironic... except it's relatively unfunny.
I can give you the first threshold of the phenomenon of propaganda, the question who's answer can almost invariably point to the true possibility...
(No matter the message/communication: )
"Did someone/anyone expend resources (pay) to make the message "reach you?"
If the answer is "Yes" ... "Propaganda" alert...
originally posted by: Maxmars
"Propaganda" is one of the most abused topics in the history of topics.
Generally speaking, presentations about propaganda are filled with examples that give the impression that all propaganda is "enemy" propaganda. It's almost ironic... except it's relatively unfunny.
I can give you the first threshold of the phenomenon of propaganda, the question who's answer can almost invariably point to the true possibility...
(No matter the message/communication: )
"Did someone/anyone expend resources (pay) to make the message "reach you?"
If the answer is "Yes" ... "Propaganda" alert...
originally posted by: Maxmars
originally posted by: Nothin
Thank you so much for your reply.
It occurred to me that perhaps the more or less laconic phrasing "Propaganda" alert" might be misunderstood as a direct implication that the message actually is propaganda (information with 'intent'). What I had intended was to say it is the first indicator that it could be. To expand, I am referring to the authoring of the information, not the amplifier personality... or the casual relaying of the ideas.
People who collect and convey information might never recognize that their information is actually a propagandists' product.
An excellent example exists in the promulgation of certain medical "positions" recently manifesting themselves into our social order. Some may simply 'accept' the ideas so prominently amplified in our respective information-spheres at 'face value.' Some may amplify the information themselves, convinced that it is 'benign' at best, or 'common wisdom' at worst. But from a certain point of view, it is still propaganda.
"Consensus Science" is another propaganda tumor on the face of society today. Science is NOT consensus... it NEVER was.
As you go on to list some sources, it becomes clear to me, their 'intent' may only 'piggy back' on propaganda. And it is sort of 'up for grabs' how each of us wants to subjectively internalize that information; as well as whether it was 'injected' into the conversation knowing it was untrue or misleading. Or very damned 'convenient' to the stated or unstated purposes of the conveyor of information.
Most of us use propaganda very frequently... mostly for entertainment... memery comes to mind. Sometimes we embrace propaganda... eagerly accepting it and denying it's nature... because it allows us to agree... and feel the warm fuzzy comfort of mutual acceptance.
Propaganda has uses, but mostly applies to 'control.' "Good guys finish last" - that one comes to mind. It instructs "good guys" (or people wanting to be 'good guys') not to compete (not even to try) ... there's no point, they can't win.
"People are suckers." "People are sheep." Those are all examples of propaganda no one ever unpacks... imagine that?
Thanks again, for allowing me to explore these ideas with you.