Context is everything. There is no such thing as knowledge outside of context, and a key feature of the context we live in today is that propaganda abounds. We live in the information age but also the disinformation age. There is is a war of ideas going on and consequently a battle for our minds.

Propaganda is a broad concept way beyond governments announcements. Any story has a philosophical context and therefore film is an easy medium in which to sow ideas. Stories, films and popular culture 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.

Manipulating populations has been on the agenda for rulers, kings and governments for at least several hundred years. This knowledge is not hidden. This is not a secret, nor a conspiracy theory. It is a matter of historical record and empirical observation.

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 to this that propaganda is almost always not true. There is no need to control and manipulate people towards the truth, it speaks for itself. Why not simply inform people and allow them to decide for themselves in a free market of ideas. “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. If we have any respect for the concept of individual rights, we cannot sanction mind control.

Propaganda is the stealth enemy we need to know about because it dominates in what I refer to as the Matrix – the mainstream narrative. 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.

Rational and open debate is not encouraged, un-addressed presumptions and false dichotomies lead the listener towards the desired conclusions and opinions. But we don’t have to throw up our hands in the air because just like avoidng a coffee table in the middle of a room, awareness is step one in dealing with it.  Propaganda is the same. Once we are aware that it is a part of the context of the world in which we live, we can act appropriately. Beliefs and ideas cannot easily be sown into a thinking mind that consciously holds its own convictions.

Propaganda techniques

Propaganda is at a disadvantage to the extent that it is false. If it were true information that is being disseminated then the term propaganda does not apply. Because the information or the message is not truth it cannot stand up to scrutiny in open rational debate. So logical fallacies and tricks are used to bypass the thinking and the rational judgment of the target audience. This brief list is just a taster.

1. Appeal to Authority

We are all conditioned to look towards authority already. We are parented with behaviourism and authoritative control, we are schooled by compulsion and we learn to look to the policeman or the government to help solve social problems. So if an idea is presented by an authority figure is has a massive head start over a contrary ide...