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Month: September 2016

When media becomes propaganda, media consumers lose trust

When media becomes propaganda, media consumers lose trust

Perhaps people are more aware of propaganda methods and prevalence than realized. Trust in mass media reaches an all time low. Americans’ trust in the mass media has dropped sharply since last year to its lowest point since 1972. Republicans’ lack of faith in the media is chiefly behind this decline. Source: Americans’ Trust in Mass Media Sinks to New Low The trend over time is true for all political persuasions despite the Gallup comment in the last sentence. Democrats went…

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Social media “quotable quote” propagation

Social media “quotable quote” propagation

A topic we have covered before is the prevalence of “famous quotes” said to be by historical figures. Much of the time, there is either no record that the “famous quote” was said by the historical figure or there is proof that the quote came from someone else. Yet seemingly everyone publishes “quotable quotes” on social media. Here is another example: Not surprisingly, this quote originated, in a slightly modified form, from a physicist in 1963 and has nothing to do…

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Social media "quotable quote" propagation

Social media "quotable quote" propagation

A topic we have covered before is the prevalence of “famous quotes” said to be by historical figures. Much of the time, there is either no record that the “famous quote” was said by the historical figure or there is proof that the quote came from someone else. Yet seemingly everyone publishes “quotable quotes” on social media. Here is another example: Not surprisingly, this quote originated, in a slightly modified form, from a physicist in 1963 and has nothing to do…

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Do some people want to receive propaganda? YES

Do some people want to receive propaganda? YES

So it goes with propaganda. For propaganda to be effective, it requires submissive subjects. As Professor Nicholas O’Shaughnessy wrote, propaganda is a “co-production in which we are willing participants.” Source: Why Does Propaganda Work? Some People Want It | Zero Hedge The answer is an absolute yes! Millions of people voluntarily belong to Facebook groups whose sole purpose is the dissemination of propaganda. Whether it be left or right leaning political groups, environmental and other activist groups, many people read…

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Was Omaha Deaf Student Bullied and his backpack thrown in a toilet?

Was Omaha Deaf Student Bullied and his backpack thrown in a toilet?

TL; DR Summary The backpack belonging to a deaf student was thrown into a toilet. When we see this headline, we immediately envision students harassing a deaf student, stealing his backpack and throwing it in a toilet. This story has been widely shared on Facebook as an illustration of bullying behavior; indeed, bullying behavior against a deaf student. Except that is not what happened. Instead, this is a beautifully crafted story whose emotional bait successfully hooks all of us, so we…

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