A key feature of the context we live in today is that propaganda is part of the territory. It is ubiquitous in the “news”, the mainstream narrative, and right across western culture. Hardly anyone knows what is true and what is false. We live in the information age but also the disinformation age. There is a war of ideas going on and a battle for your mind.

If it is the truth that you seek and a clear grasp of the reality of what is happening in your world, it is vital to recognise another key component of the current context. Namely the agenda to impose total political control through global governance and absolute supremacy of the state.

Your attention is continuously courted by social media, computer games and entertainments, emails films and advertising. Your mind is constantly exposed to various persuasion techniques. You must be clued up and vigilant to discern truth just to stay sane – let alone achieve your happiness.

Populations cannot be controlled exclusively by physical means – it would be impossible. So they must be persuaded to welcome their own enslavement, even to demand it and willingly pay for it.

Propaganda is a broad concept way beyond governments announcements. Every story has a context and therefore films are an easy medium in which to sow ideas. They affect the values and therefore the choices of people. Propaganda is the means by which unwary minds are subjected to prepackaged downloads of assumptions and values, a ready-made hymn sheet of what to believe. This is the essence of the Matrix and this is why we need to think outside the box.

Rulers, kings and governments have been manipulating populations for at least several hundred years. This knowledge is not hidden. It’s not a secret, nor a conspiracy theory. It is a matter of historical record and empirical observation.

The most important thing to know about the propaganda that you are exposed to all the time every day is this. it is subtle and discreet. If it is done correctly you will not even perceive it unless you know about it and are ready for it. Your consciousness must be tuned to detect and evaluate all new incoming ideas before they are adopted or assimilated into your mental operating system and filed as “truth”.

A Definition of propaganda

This definition is from Edward Bernays who literally wrote the book – “Propaganda” in 1928.

Modern propaganda is a consistent, enduring effort to create or shape events to influence the relations of the public to an enterprise, idea or group.

I would add that propaganda is always UN-true. There is no need to control and manipulate people towards the truth, that is the purpose of real education. “Influencing the relation of the public to an enterprise, idea or group” means shaping their beliefs and opinions. It means altering peoples values and therefore their choices. It is manipulating people by controlling what they believe.

Propaganda techniques

Propaganda is the stealth enemy we need to know about because it dominates the mainstream narrative as well as the proclamations of many institutions and organisations and NGOs. It is the tool of those who would mislead, those who do not have our best interests as their agenda. And because the mainstream by definition is where most people look for information, that is where the propaganda is focused.

There is no rational and open debate, un-addressed presumptions and false dichotomies lead people towards the desired conclusions and opinions. But just like avoiding a coffee table in the middle of a room, awareness is key.