When first learning about propaganda I always made the assumption that it was inherently bad and manipulative, but after further research and thought I’ve changed my mind slightly on the issue.
Physics.smu.edu states: “Finally, in this study we realized that propaganda is everywhere; practically every message you are exposed to is propaganda. Given the principles of propaganda, every such message is suspect. Given the volume of them that hits you, it’s not possible to critically evaluate every one. The tendency, then, is to become totally cynical and refuse to believe any of them. This may prevent you from being misled but is not good for the nation as a whole. Imagine the consequences if the government tried to pass on some very important and truthful information and most people refused to believe them.”
I find myself doubting more and more the things that I hear from the news or internet every day. I have a very cynical view about any information or message that is backed behind strong emotional support, but maybe I should reconsider my initial disgust when hearing a message, and consider the last line of this paragraph: “… Imagine the consequences if the government tried to pass on some very important and truthful information and most people refused to believe them.”
I will admit though, it is very difficult for me to come to terms with anything that tries to force me to believe something. I have an immediate gut reaction to reject it if I find it to be too impassioned and a lack of perspective of an opposing point-of-view.
I believe more people fall into the trap of propaganda, whether it’s good or bad, constantly. Propaganda is widely distributed throughout today’s social media societies and if you can’t recognize some of the tell-tale signs of propaganda, a person can easily be tricked into thinking some things are factual when they are, in fact, simply lies or misleading.
I imagine most of us, if not all of us, have believed a piece of false propaganda at one point in our life. It’s nearly impossible not to.
Anyways, “BONES ARE MADE OF PLASTIC!”
Chew on that bone for awhile, Dawgs.
Great blog post, its so fascinating the hold that propaganda and political have on our lives and its influence on our minds. It can be easy to deceive the public with the use of social media, large media corporations, and powerful people.
Hey ! I really enjoyed reading your blog. I thought the same thing when I first learned of propaganda, that it was something used to manipulate us and it was bad. But, as I get older, I see the influence and how much of use it has on everyone’s everyday life. Great blog post!
Great Post! I definitely understand double thinking when it comes to viewing what seems like some kind of propaganda tactic, but always remember, successful propaganda is propaganda that hits you head on, directly influencing higher through or change within.
Hey! I thought your blog post on propaganda was great. I mainly think of propaganda as negative but we actually consume propaganda every day especially on social media.