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.

Iraqi girl in orphanage drew photo of her mom and fell asleep

Iraqi girl in orphanage drew photo of her mom and fell asleep

TL;DR Summary Actual photo: Taken by an Iranian photographer, of her cousin, who had fallen a sleep while drawing chalk figures outside. The photo was stolen from the photographer’s Flickr post and the text description is false.  More of the photographer’s work may be seen here including similar style photos with the same young girl (some really great photos too!). For some reason, the propaganda poster did not use the similar photo where she is curled up inside a drawing…

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Same country, different data – the ease of creating propaganda posters

Same country, different data – the ease of creating propaganda posters

TL; DR Summary All true. Illustrates the ease of creating propaganda posters. Share if you agree! As I continue to cross-check the very popular (on social media) Denmark propaganda posters, I created one of my own!     Points that did not fit on this poster: Denmark has the highest taxes in the world Denmark has the highest personal debts in the world with household debt equal to 321% of disposable income. Banks pay negative interest rates – meaning that…

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Denmark has free child care? Uh, no.

Denmark has free child care? Uh, no.

TL; DR Summary Part 1: Denmark is the world’s happiest nation because of the following reasons (Not true) Part 2: Denmark has a $20/hour minimum wage (No, it does not). Part 3: Denmark has a 33 hour work week (No, it does not) Part 4: Denmark has Free University ? Yes but read why – it’s not why you think Part 5: Denmark has Free Childcare? No, it does not – this claim is a lie. Part 6: Denmark has…

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