Simply providing misinformation is not enough to make real propaganda. The emotions have to be manipulated as well. Reefer Madness is clearly made to manipulate emotions. One need only look back at the foreword to see this. It is clear that phrases such as "a violent narcotic-an unspeakable scourge-The Real Public Enemy Number One!" contain an emotional charge. The very idea of implying rape was incredibly shocking for the time. I can only imagine the murder of absolute innocence carried a rather robust emotional sting as well. Showing Mae putting on her stockings was also over the top for the tender sensibilities of the time. The very idea of putting Jimmy in Blanche's bed had to have sent more than one person to the ground in an attack of the "vapors". For its time, it was truly emotional dynamite.
The juxtaposition of the "innocence" of youth and the "evil" of the pushers is used to outrage. Because of this, and so many other emotional elements built into it, Reefer Madness is very clearly a piece of propaganda. There is death, sex, rape, murder, and suicide. Clearly, all of these things were specifically designed to outrage, offend, and otherwise emotionally manipulate the "decent" people who watched it at the time it was originally produced.
In other words, it was clearly made to get its target audience to join the movement to marijuana prohibition. While there is no way to know since I existed as dormant cells within my parents' genitalia at the time it was originally released, I am quite sure that those who smoked weed at the time found it as amusing as those millions who came afterward. Did they also find it as alarming?
We Must Remain Vigilant
Propaganda is a very complex issue, and it employs a myriad of methodology to do its work. Some is in your face, and very easy to see. Some is much more subtle, and can get missed in the shuffle. It is our duty as citizens to keep our eyes and ears open. We have shown that we are too willing to shirk this duty...usually because there might be some unpleasantness associated with taking action.
This is part of the problem that now faces our country. For far too long, far too many people bought into the propaganda machine. So blinded were many, in fact, they clearly ignored outright lies and all evidence that contradicted the propaganda being shot at us from all directions. Now we are reaping the whirlwind for shirking our civic duty by allowing ourselves to be the victims of the Great American Propaganda Machine.
We must remain vigilant. Those in power who have been driving the juggernaut of propaganda are still in their respective offices. Swill O'Really and Faux Snewz are still on the air. Therefore, you can be sure that the propaganda machine is still running. It may not be hitting on all cylinders, but a V-8 engine will remain running when it's only hitting on four.
Our constitutional freedoms are at stake. One need only look at the rise of the (un)Patriot(ic) Act and the Military Commissions act to know those currently in power have no respect for either the constitution or our freedoms granted in it. If we don't keep our eyes and ears open, the damage that has been dealt to the constitution will only get worse. If that happens, the next freedom to be lost may be yours, or yoursOR YOURS!
Propaganda works because the same people also control the citizen programming in the so called Public "Education".
It's taken a life time to grow out of my Public Education and discover reality on my own terms. It's somewhat different.
A totally different world awaits those who develope Independent Critical Analysis. Who Transcend their roles as "Believers".
The Media is essentially a Push button mechanism and the Buttons are installed by Instititutions most blindly trust.
Detachment should start just after disillusionment. Awakening begins with the self directed effort to own your knowledge. Not be owned.
You'll find that everything you're "taught" to believe is designed to make you a manipulatable tool stuck in a matrix called the Masses. The Walking dead. Bodies for hire.
It's a trap! GET OUT!!!!!
by
"Hoss" David P. (51 articles, 5 quicklinks, 14 diaries, 339 comments)
on Friday, July 6, 2007 at 4:23:10 PM
Propaganda works because the same people also control the citizen programming in the so called Public "Education".
Propaganda works because most humans have emotions that are easily manipulated. It's not just the educational system that is at fault. It is as much the fault of advertising (a soft-core form of propaganda) and parenting. Some parents allow and encourage their kids to think their own thoughts and become their own person. Other parents do everything in their power to keep their kids from self-actualization.
Some individuals are given to being led about by the nose. Others resist such automaton-like behavior. The former group is much more likely to fall victim to the psychic weaponry employed by propaganda. Unfortunately, there are also more people in the former group.
It's taken a life time to grow out of my Public Education and discover reality on my own terms. It's somewhat different.
It always is. I was fortunate because I was allowed to become my own person from early in my life. Because my parents didn't much care what I read, I read books that challenged the intellect and bring about a healthy case of cynicism (thank you, Alfred E. Neuman and Co.!). Once I found Ayn Rand, I had the already open mind in my skull expanded BIG TIME!
I am also fortunate in the fact that I had a Catholic education for most of my life. While one would assume that an education with a religious backdrop to it might render one hopelessly devoted to said religion. In my case, I wisely decided to give up being Catholic for Lent when I was eighteen, and I have yet to rescind that decision.
I have, at times in my life, ran into people who have either asked or demanded that I be ashamed of my education. I have no other choice but to laugh in the face of such people. I am still amazed that there are still such people in the world!
A totally different world awaits those who developd Independent Critical Analysis. Who Transcend their roles as "Believers".
True!
The Media is essentially a Push button mechanism and the Buttons are installed by Instititutions most blindly trust.
The installation of "buttons" is a complex thing. Even people who are smart and possessed of common sense have "buttons". Many "buttons" are installed by parents. Other "buttons" are installed by society. While it is true "buttons" make us vulnerable to the Machiavellian machinations of certain institutions (such as the advertising world).
Detachment should start just after disillusionment. Awakening begins with the self directed effort to own your knowledge. Not be owned.
Detachment is good. For some people, it is hard, if not impossible to achieve. Of course, as with all things, practice makes perfect.
Awakenings come in many forms. I have had numerous awakenings in my life. There was the awakening of my sexuality which culminated in my official coming out at sixteen. There was the awakening when I first tripped on acid. Then there was the awakening that night twenty-two years ago tomorrow that I hit my alcoholic bottom. Then there the awakening that was my trip from Toledo, Ohio to Dallas, Texas. Recently, it was the fact that I have ischemic heart disease that served as a rather rude awakening.
Awakenings come to everyone. They come for numerous reasons. As long as they result in personal growth, they are all valid.
Owning one's intellect shouldn't be preceded by anything. The human intellect remains the ONLY thing that separates us from "lower" life forms. It remains the ONLY evolutionary advantage we have. Yet so many people are way too willing to give it up just because they make the choice to be intellectually lazy.
I do not apologize for my education, my life, or my intellect. I also am unwilling to give these things away just because someone thinks I should. My life is my own.
You'll find that everything you're "taught" to believe is designed to make you a manipulatable tool stuck in a matrix called the Masses. The Walking dead. Bodies for hire.
True. It takes a certain kind of person to resist the pull of societal "buttons". It can happen to anyone. However, it requires one make an active choice to resist. It also requires work, unless one is of MENSA IQ.
It's a trap! GET OUT!!!!!
Run for you lives!
:)
Blessed be! Pappy
by
Pappy (61 articles, 0 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 863 comments)
on Friday, July 6, 2007 at 6:30:39 PM
You just won't try to escape from a prison or trap you're unaware of being in.
Disillusionment should come from that realization. Awakening is in part a strategy of escape.
Thanks for responding.
I enjoyed your article.
Yet, I have never seen Reefer Madness. But we all get to see Propaganda. It scares me to think of the Propaganda that I miss even though I feel I spot a lot.
Vigilance.
Be the sentry of your mind and emotions.
Know yourself.
Knowing yourself is key to knowing the games of others.
by
"Hoss" David P. (51 articles, 5 quicklinks, 14 diaries, 339 comments)
on Friday, July 6, 2007 at 8:24:48 PM
Yet, I have never seen Reefer Madness. But we all get to see Propaganda. It scares me to think of the Propaganda that I miss even though I feel I spot a lot. You can also buy the original as it's available for less than ten bucks from most video places. It's been in the public domain for a really long time.
There is also the musical version, which I recommend if you are into musicals. The production values for it are out of this world. It carries a message with which I think you might sympathize and identify. Also, if you get the musical, you get the original black and white movie as well under extra features. If you have ever smoked pot, you are sure to find something entertaining in both version of Reefer Madness.
And informative as well. Both versions of the story carry a lot of messages. You can see how they used misinformation and emotional appeal in the original. You can also get the "Big Brother" warnings from the musical. For the person of a political bend of any kind, Reefer Madness is a must-see!
I'm, currently in the process of tweaking part II of this series of articles. I will submit it as soon as I get it done. If you liked this article, you'll love the next one.
Blessed be! Pappy
by
Pappy (61 articles, 0 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 863 comments)
on Saturday, July 7, 2007 at 3:16:20 AM
