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I read once that Soviet propaganda was obvious whereas US propaganda was subtle. This was meant as a compliment to the US, because people couldn't get away with

I read once that Soviet propaganda was obvious whereas US propaganda was subtle. This was meant as a compliment to the US, because people couldn't get away with blatant propaganda. Now I fear we are moving more in the direction of blatant propaganda.

tmotwu 6y ago
US propaganda is still pretty subtle, just that the subtlety is becoming less effective at a faster rate than they expected. At least if people realize they're getting fed propaganda, why is that something to fear?
- MeinBlutIstBlau 6y ago
  Cause it leads to people feeling like they can't exert basic human rights like freedom of conscience for fear of losing their job since employers find it ethical to fire people on pure speculation and vague accusations.
  - loopz 6y ago
    That is a regulatory issue.
- potta_coffee 6y ago
  Because knowing you're being lied to and going along with it anyway is demoralizing. Now you have an entire population of cynical, alienated people.
  - smolder 6y ago
    Indeed, we do have quite the population of cynical alienated people. Whoops!
jariel 6y ago
Soviet propaganda was (and is) directed by the government. US news is not directed by government, for the most part. It's a confluence of capitalism, opinion, ratings, populism, intellectual movements, petty fighting and opinions. It has the feel of propaganda but for the most part it's not really that. Possibly some treatment of COVID falls into that - during a time of crisis, the News tends to want to promote ideals of 'Public Communications' (i.e. wear a mask) instead of hard news. There is widespread concern over populist reaction to the pausing of the AZ vaccination. Purely on a scientific basis, there is merit, but the Communications side of the Health is up in arms because they believe it will lead to people being needlessly afraid and will affect health outcomes etc.. The CBC in Canada has done a good job on that issue - i.e. trying to explain the different ways to look at that. The CBC is not exceptional in every way however.

tmotwu 6y ago

US propaganda is still pretty subtle, just that the subtlety is becoming less effective at a faster rate than they expected. At least if people realize they're getting fed propaganda, why is that something to fear?

MeinBlutIstBlau 6y ago
Cause it leads to people feeling like they can't exert basic human rights like freedom of conscience for fear of losing their job since employers find it ethical to fire people on pure speculation and vague accusations.
- loopz 6y ago
  That is a regulatory issue.
potta_coffee 6y ago
Because knowing you're being lied to and going along with it anyway is demoralizing. Now you have an entire population of cynical, alienated people.
- smolder 6y ago
  Indeed, we do have quite the population of cynical alienated people. Whoops!

jariel 6y ago

Soviet propaganda was (and is) directed by the government. US news is not directed by government, for the most part. It's a confluence of capitalism, opinion, ratings, populism, intellectual movements, petty fighting and opinions. It has the feel of propaganda but for the most part it's not really that. Possibly some treatment of COVID falls into that - during a time of crisis, the News tends to want to promote ideals of 'Public Communications' (i.e. wear a mask) instead of hard news. There is widespread concern over populist reaction to the pausing of the AZ vaccination. Purely on a scientific basis, there is merit, but the Communications side of the Health is up in arms because they believe it will lead to people being needlessly afraid and will affect health outcomes etc.. The CBC in Canada has done a good job on that issue - i.e. trying to explain the different ways to look at that. The CBC is not exceptional in every way however.