2024-10-21
... we must understand propaganda - which essentially is the art of making people and populations wholeheartedly believe something that is absolutely not true, and indeed not in their interests.
It is said that Hitler used propaganda extensively on the German people before and during the second world war, but in truth all wars depend upon propaganda, because fighting wars is not in our normal interests.
It might be thought that all governments ("govern"=control, "ment"=mind) habitually use propaganda to maintain their power over their populations - true or not, certainly the temptation may be hard to resist!
So here is a useful primer, courtesy of Citizens for Free Speech, which attempts to teach us how we might recognise propaganda in the first place.
Whilst pointing up some favourite tricks, this appears to omit the one factor that Joseph Goebbels famously used to great effect in Germany - endless repetition of the false message until it is indelibly imprinted upon the psyche of the masses (plus ignoring and censoring of all counter-messages). Of course, significant control of the media is necessary for this.
Likewise delivery of the messaging within apparently unrelated content (quiz shows, sports, entertainment, "bread and circuses") is helpful, as it may pass unremarked but not ineffective. Clearly a national broadcasting organisation would be ideal for this.
I'm sure you can think of some present-day examples of relentless messaging that have been remarkably successful over recent years, and I am equally certain that a significant number of our ingrained beliefs are still to be exposed as without foundation, and absolutely not in our best interests.
So what to do?
It has been well said that people go mad in herds, but recover their senses individually.
Recovery from propaganda is a long haul, but absolutely necessary. Critical thinking on the part of the individual is a prerequisite.
Is it time for a mental "spring clean"?
