Propaganda uses words, statements or images that may be partly false and partly true to artificially influence people, a community or a whole nation. The purpose of propaganda is “an appeal to emotion, not intellect”, and the facts are most people today operate from the seat of emotion, rather than intellect.
This is key in understanding how to identify and analyze information that may be misleading. If it makes you emotional or is making other people emotional, ask yourself why? If a particular organization is disseminating this information, more often than not, there almost always is an agenda behind the information that is for the organizations own benefit. This is only common sense, but unfortunately, many people lack this when they are fooled by this type of stuff daily.
We should not react to news, media or information, but question it. Below are various examples of of propaganda that you have or will come across many times in your lifetime. You will find that each method is
Name calling
Or what in Latin is called “ad hominem attacks” to influence others. Bill Oreiley and Fox News are masters of name calling propaganda. If they do not agree with you, they simply call you names as their brainless audience repeats these very same ad hominem attacks on their Facebook pages.
Demonizing
Making someone or something to appear in bad light by making false or true public statements. An example of this is the recent trial and demonization of George Zimmerman who the media had made out to be a white guy, but who was actually half Latino. Hence, he wasn’t a cracker, but more like a brown Wheat Thin. However to many African-Americans across the country who are unaware that they are being played, they took the media propaganda bait hook line and no common sense sinker….
Half truths are based on partial truths, but embellished with lies to make them seem 100% truthful when in fact they are not. An example of this is President Obama who said Trayvon Martin could have been his son when in fact he couldn’t have been because Obama’s grandmother was white and Trayvon Martin’s was not. Hence, it is a scientifically impossible that Trayvon could have been his Obama’s son.
Disinformation
Also called argumentum ad metum or argumentum in terrorem) is a fallacy in which a person attempts to create support for an idea by using deception and propaganda in attempts to increase fear and prejudice toward a competitor. Hence, use what people fear to work against them.
An example of this would be Alex Jones of InfoWars.com fame who constantly pumps fear of the bankers, government and corporate criminal elite (whatever that means) into his audience 24/7 from his websites, youtube channel and radio shows.
Tireless repetition of an idea
Or what in Latin is called Ad Nauseam. Repeating an idea or words over and over again with the intent of influencing others to accept this idea or words that may be for consumer or political reasons.
An example of this tactic was used by President Obama in his 2008 presidential campaign that saw the tireless repetition of the word ‘change.’ After 8 years of President Bush, Obama said he represented the ‘change’ that the American people needed. But in reality, since Obama was elected, there has been little or no change and he actually continued the same policies as Bush did.
You’re either with us or against us
Or what is called a black and white fallacy by presenting two choices to an audience where the implied consequence of not joining the team effort is to be deemed an enemy. President George Bush used this tactic after 9-11 to rally the American people to go to war against Iraq and terrorists world-wide.
Bush said, “You are either with us or with the enemy, there is no in between”.
Moe is the founder of GnosticWarrior.com. He is a father, husband, author, martial arts black belt, and an expert in Gnosticism, the occult, and esotericism.
