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There is now another 'form' of propaganda that seems to be being used: > We characterize the contemporary Russian model for propaganda as “the firehose of fals

There is now another 'form' of propaganda that seems to be being used: > We characterize the contemporary Russian model for propaganda as “the firehose of falsehood” because of two of its distinctive features: high numbers of channels and messages and a shameless willingness to disseminate partial truths or outright fictions. In the words of one observer, “[N]ew Russian propaganda entertains, confuses and overwhelms the audience.”[2] > Contemporary Russian propaganda has at least two other distinctive features. It is also rapid, continuous, and repetitive, and it lacks commitment to consistency. > Interestingly, several of these features run directly counter to the conventional wisdom on effective influence and communication from government or defense sources, which traditionally emphasize the importance of truth, credibility, and the avoidance of contradiction.[3] Despite ignoring these traditional principles, Russia seems to have enjoyed some success under its contemporary propaganda model, either through more direct persuasion and influence or by engaging in obfuscation, confusion, and the disruption or diminution of truthful reporting and messaging. * https://www.rand.org/pubs/perspectives/PE198.html https://www.rand.org/pubs/perspectives/PE198.html This has been picked up by some other folks: * https://www.vice.com/en/article/epzxqj/steve-bannon-jan-6-trial-arguments https://www.vice.com/en/article/epzxqj/steve-bannon-jan-6-tr... * https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2020/1/16/20991816/impeachment-trial-trump-bannon-misinformation https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2020/1/16/20991816/i... For a history of propaganda, the book Munitions of the Mind by Philip M. Taylor may be of some interest (the third edition was published in 2003, so covers up to 9/11): * https://manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9780719067679/ https://manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9780719067679/

Eddy_Viscosity2 3y ago
> which traditionally emphasize the importance of truth, credibility, and the avoidance of contradiction I think the use of inconsistency and outright contradiction 'works' not so much in pushing a specific message but by making all messages seem equally suspect to people who don't have time to check every claim. The more contradictory messages out there, the more people just disbelieve everything and disconnect -- which may be the goal.
- zikzak 3y ago
  Wolf Blitzer is famous for this (or used to be). He'd use the same tone of voice for "rain expected later today" as "apparent Klingon ship lands on White House lawn."
AnonCoward42 3y ago
This is itself propaganda. Pretending one propaganda is better than the other is always a difficult game in my opinion, but of course everyone sides with some narrative. That being said our narratives are littered with fundamental contradictions (as well).
thriftwy 3y ago
I hope somebody told them that Russians (having a life) do not watch or read propaganda all day long so the window of interaction is actually quite narrow... That can invalidate a lot of assumptions.

Eddy_Viscosity2 3y ago

> which traditionally emphasize the importance of truth, credibility, and the avoidance of contradiction I think the use of inconsistency and outright contradiction 'works' not so much in pushing a specific message but by making all messages seem equally suspect to people who don't have time to check every claim. The more contradictory messages out there, the more people just disbelieve everything and disconnect -- which may be the goal.

zikzak 3y ago
Wolf Blitzer is famous for this (or used to be). He'd use the same tone of voice for "rain expected later today" as "apparent Klingon ship lands on White House lawn."

AnonCoward42 3y ago

This is itself propaganda. Pretending one propaganda is better than the other is always a difficult game in my opinion, but of course everyone sides with some narrative. That being said our narratives are littered with fundamental contradictions (as well).

thriftwy 3y ago

I hope somebody told them that Russians (having a life) do not watch or read propaganda all day long so the window of interaction is actually quite narrow... That can invalidate a lot of assumptions.