Social media plays powerful role in elections

Social media plays powerful role in elections

Nearly three-quarters (74%) of Millennial Democrats who say they are very likely to participate in their state’s primary or caucus learned about the 2016 presidential election through a social networking site. This is starkly higher than the 50% of Millennial Republicans… Source: Among Millennials engaged in primaries, Dems more likely to learn about the election from social media My observation – before I read this study – is that Democrats and left-leaning groups largely own social media propaganda efforts, with relatively…

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The Center for Immigration Rights Communication

The Center for Immigration Rights Communication

If you read this blog, you know the terms public relations, communication and propaganda are synonymous. All forms of public persuasion were once called “propaganda”. The negative connotations of government and military propaganda programs early in the 20th century resulted in the late Edward Bernays proposing the use of “public relations” as an alternative. Today, public relations has evolved into “communication” specialists. These terms are synonymous and describe the methods and programs used to persuade the public to adopt someone’s…

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Once again: "Why is the media ignoring 'this'?"

Once again: "Why is the media ignoring 'this'?"

This is a fun “meme” to getting targets emotionally riled up so they will share this false claim others. I wrote about this propaganda method not long ago. Some one did a similar “the media are ignoring this!” about an alleged protest in Poland. “They” are keeping this secret! Why are people ignoring “this”? It “must be a conspiracy!” Share if you agree! It’s the same as the news web sites that create click bait titles like “Girl opens door and…

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How System 1 Thinking controls our thoughts

How System 1 Thinking controls our thoughts

TL; DR Summary Many people insist their views are based on science and education (fact-based) but on many topics, they stick to their ideology or party/group think position. In the chart below, especially in the “Climate change & Energy” category, the strongest factors in one’s views are ideology/group membership and age. Both political parties are likely to be “fact deniers”, contrary to the views they hold of themselves. (Indeed, Dr. Neil Degrasse Tyson emphasizes this point – left and right…

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Public relations people are liars

Public relations people are liars

Read the story of the smug, arrogant and elitist Ben Rhodes, the deputy national security advisor for strategic communications in the White House, a man that Foreign Policy Magazine calls an “asshole” for his disdain of the public and his insulting treatment of reporters. In a follow up, the author of that article adds additional background showing how the “strategic communication” specialist uses social media propaganda to manipulate the public, even acknowledging that this leads to a “dangerous distortion of…

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The firestorm over "transgender" bathroom access

The firestorm over "transgender" bathroom access

The past few weeks have been a media fire storm over “transgender rights” and access to public and privately owned bathroom facilities labeled “Women” or “Girls” or “Men” or “Boys”. But there is a bigger issue to address in terms of our locker room style, gender specific bathrooms. Parents with young children, and anyone assisting a disabled person  encounter the problem of gender specific bathrooms all the time.

Why is the media ignoring “this”?

Why is the media ignoring “this”?

TL;DR Summary The media is ignoring that Sanders has attracted someone’s estimate of 45,000 people to a rally in NYC. Truth: The story is covered by MSNBC, NY Times, CNN and others. Why spread the false statement that the media are ignoring this?

Panama Free Trade Agreement propaganda video is accurate and effective

Panama Free Trade Agreement propaganda video is accurate and effective

TL;DR Summary In 2011, Bernie Sanders spoke forcefully against a free trade agreement with Panama because Panama operates as a tax haven with secret bank accounts. True-Sanders did speak forcefully against the PFTA. True-Panama does have low corporate tax rates, tax havens and banking secrecy. This is an effective propaganda poster (video) because it is topical, makes good use of facts (not false assertions or logical fallacies), and is conveyed simply and directly. It is also unusual for a propaganda…

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Using humor to encourage "sharing" a poster

Using humor to encourage "sharing" a poster

TL; DR Summary Excellent use of humor Simple message, quickly processed by the viewer Humor is a polite propaganda way of getting an emotional response to encourage the viewer to Share and Like. This is also a “glittering generality” as the message is meaningless to the real world.