Propaganda Techniques

[Vocalek]

Be alert. Watch for these techniques.


Propaganda Techniques

Card Stacking:

Propagandist uses this technique to make the best case possible for his side and the worst for the opposing viewpoint by carefully using only those facts that support his or her side of the argument while attempting to lead the audience into accepting the facts as a conclusion. In other words, the propagandist stacks the cards against the truth. Card stacking is the most difficult technique to detect because it does not provide all of the information necessary for the audience to make an informed decision. The audience must decide what is missing. The Institute for Propaganda Analysis suggests we ask ourselves the following question when confronted with this technique: Are facts being distorted or omitted? What other arguments exist to support these assertions? As with any other propaganda technique, the best defense against Card Stacking is to get as much information that is possible before making a decision.

Other Techniques

Fear: Propagandists play on an audience's fear that something bad will happen to them unless they do what has been suggested to them.

Repetition: Propagandists use this technique to drum the message into the target audience's subconscious by repeating keywords or phrases over and over until resistance to the message weakens. The target audience eventually accepts the message often without even realizing it. Adolph Hitler emphasized the need for repetition in propaganda. "Now the purpose of propaganda is not continually to produce interesting changes for the few blasé little masters, but to convince; that is, to convince the masses. The masses, however, with their inertia, always need a certain time before they are ready even to notice a thing, and they will lend their memories only to the thousand fold repetition of the most simple ideas"

Red Herring: Propagandists use this diversionary tactic to draw one's attention away from the real subject. Guard against this technique by showing how the argument has gotten off track and bring it back to the issue at hand.

Symbols: Propagandists use words, designs, place, ideas and music to symbolize ideas and concepts with emotional content.

Faulty Cause and Effect: Propagandists claim that the use of a product creates a positive result without providing any supporting evidence.

Compare and Contrast: Propagandists lead the audience to believe that one product is better than another without offering real proof. This technique is similar to Faulty Cause and Effect.

Homework assignment. Report back here where you have seen these techniques employed by the evil empire.

 

[Unperson]

You forgot the most commonly used tactic: Lying

Yes, even though there is a risk of being caught in one, the lie still is rampant.

 

[BradSmith]

Sad to say but they will use this in court as well.

 

[Stephra]

I'll take your assignment literally and point out the most blatant card-stack they've been using: DIETHYLENE GLYCOL.

We're supposed to fall over screaming ZOMG ANTIFREEZE when we hear that, but when the rest of the facts are filled in, it holds no water.

 

[Vocalek]

I'll take your assignment literally and point out the most blatant card-stack they've been using: DIETHYLENE GLYCOL.

We're supposed to fall over screaming ZOMG ANTIFREEZE when we hear that, but when the rest of the facts are filled in, it holds no water.

Actually, this is a combination of two of the tactics: Fear and Symbols. Antifreeze symbolizes deadly poison in what we are breathing / drinking / eating. The very thought strikes fear into the hearts of the listeners / readers.

 

[Vocalek]

A good example of Card Stacking is the FDA's lab report, where they conveniently left out pertinent information, such as the fact that the quantity of carcinogens matches what's in their approved patch and is at least a thousand times smaller than what's in smoke.

 

[jj2]

You forgot the most commonly used tactic: Lying

Yes, even though there is a risk of being caught in one, the lie still is rampant.

This one is ver popular.

 

[Katya]

"A lie repeated a thousand times becomes a truth."

 

[D103]

Another piece of the 'Fear tactic' is what so many members have seen right through and pointed out: the "Old Trump Card" - trot out totally sympathetic, innocent potential victims - "the precious children". This is one of the cheapest, sleaziest, most disingenuous forms of pandering and emotional manipulation. Especially from the FDA - with their terrible track record of "protecting" the children - current Tylenol debacle being just one case in point. The hypocrisy wreaks!! On the one side you have them finger-pointing at the e-cig cartridges and e-liquid flavors - they claim (without evidence) targets children; on the other side, of course, we have the following FDA approved items: (this is just a short list) flavored NRTs, flavored cold syrups, flavored cold medications and allergy medications, flavored liquor, not to mention the most recent onslaught of 'high caffeine' energy drinks, caffeine-laden "energy pills"-available over the counter, and more recently, caffeine-enhanced candy bars like "butterfingers, Baby Ruth, Nestles'Crunch-to name a few. And the caffeine enhancement is promoted on the packaging. Let's "look out for the kids...." YEAH RIGHT!