The Nine Principles Of Propaganda.
[graphic by Dennis Presiloski]
We're bombarded by propaganda during every waking hour. Often it's hard to spot, and it frequently comes from sources we think we can trust. To help you spot when you're being manipulated, here's are nine principles of propaganda. Some of these may have been used on you today. Or if not, be on the lookout tomorrow. Propaganda never takes a day off.
- Lie Big: Big lies work better than small lies because the masses won't believe that anyone would lie "about that".
- Focus: Don't make it complicated. Ignore history, keep it simple for simple minds.
- Repeat: People cannot tell the difference between facts and familiarity. The same words repeated over and over will become true in their minds.
- Blame: Never credit the other side. Always blame, debase, defame, and dehumanize.
- Provoke: Outrage, fear, and resentment are more powerful than reason, logic, or facts.
- Crisis: Issues must be life or death, good vs evil, love vs hate, us vs them. Urgency defeats objection.
- Emotion: A person might question facts, but they will never question their own feelings. Go emotional.
- Pander: Praise allies generously, demonize all who disagree as having bad intentions or being non-expert.
- No Limit: The victor's morality won't be questioned. Morality is for losers.
