PROPAGANDA RESEARCH

Propaganda, simply put, is the manipulation of public opinion. It is generally carried out through media that is capable of reaching a large amount of people and effectively persuading them for or against a cause. The exact meaning of propaganda is constantly debated, however, and no specific definition is completely true. Some argue that any persuasive communication is propaganda, while others hold that propaganda specifically alters political opinions. However, it is doubtless that propaganda is material which is meant to persuade or change public opinion, and though it often varies in form and technique it always serves the same purpose. Propaganda is communication for the purpose of persuasion.

Propaganda, although it has existed almost indefinitely, has grown immensely during the past few centuries. Although evidence of intentional propaganda can be traced back as far as ancient Greece, the advent of communication media on a larger scale has exponentially increased its usage. After the invention of the printing press, it became possible to quickly and easily produce posters and books. Prior to this development, however, the majority of propaganda was spread by word of mouth. The printing press enabled the propagandist to quickly produce mass amounts of posters with one intended effect, a form of propaganda much less risky and difficult than oral communication.

More recently, propaganda was again bolstered by the invention of the radio. The ability to communicate orally with large amounts of people in a very small amount of time also helped the development of propaganda. Also, the beginning of radio also saw the beginning of advertising as we know it today, which is another form of propaganda. Before radio, it was almost impossible to communicate directly with many people in such a short amount of time. Admittedly, direct communication through print was possible, but very few people actually read ads. Radio opened up a whole new world of advertising. The invention that has impacted propaganda the most, however, is the television. The ability to visually communicate over long distances rapidly increased both the amount and the effectiveness of propaganda. Advertising as well as political propaganda was rapidly accelerated for this new medium.

Also, in more recent years, the introduction of the Internet and long-distance communication as enabled further increases in propaganda. In an age where we are increasingly bombarded by propaganda from a variety of media, it is increasingly important to recognize and understand propaganda and its effects.

Although the word propaganda has a negative connotation, propaganda itself is not necessarily bad. Propaganda is an attempt to change opinions by persuasively presenting new ones. The propagandist attempts to alter the opinions of his subjects or viewers by convincing them of the validity of their own. In order of accomplish this, he or she uses a variety of methods and techniques. It is important to recognize these techniques and examine the purpose of the propaganda before making decisions based on it. The purpose of propaganda is to change opinions, but more importantly to influence your decisions. By understanding the purpose of the propaganda and the method being used, one can go a long way toward making effective independent decisions.

MODERN DAY PROPAGANDA EXAMPLES

This is quite a good example of modern day propaganda which ties in with my theme of panopticism outline the governments controlling and regulating of everyone  feeding us lies in the media and not telling us the full stories. We are essentially loving in the dark and its this strict monitoring and regulating of the public which has lead to how the world operates today.

This is quite an in your face bold propaganda poster, I believe it ties in with the fact that in modern day society we are nothing, just information stored on a database, In effect theres us, and our digital selves, and its whats on paper that the government care about, how much money you make etc.

I really like this example I found, this couldn't tie in more perfectly with my essay. Representing the constant watch of the world, which in effect makes a more controlled and disciplined society, everyone watching out for the abnormal and the outcasts, the criminals without even knowing they are controlling this form of social control.

This is another example which I think was quite relevant, highlighting the hidden aspects to the media which are not showed, large companies that profit in in humane ways in some cases control large parts of the media and it is the limiting of information that is keeping people unaware of the worlds problems and controlled my the media. Fed lies on a daily basis.

CONSUMERISM PROPAGANDA

"While some progressives are fond of calling fundamentalist religion the 'opiate of the masses,' they too often neglect the pacifying nature of America’s other major fundamentalism. Fundamentalist consumerism pacifies young Americans in a variety of ways. Fundamentalist consumerism destroys self-reliance, creating people who feel completely dependent on others and who are thus more likely to turn over decision-making power to authorities, the precise mind-set that the ruling elite loves to see. A fundamentalist consumer culture legitimizes advertising, propaganda, and all kinds of manipulations, including lies; and when a society gives legitimacy to lies and manipulativeness, it destroys the capacity of people to trust one another and form democratic movements. Fundamentalist consumerism also promotes self-absorption, which makes it difficult for the solidarity necessary for democratic movements." 

- Bruce E. Levine

BARBARA KRUGER

This is a site-specific work by american artist barbara kruger is currently on display along the façade of the art gallery of ontario (AGO) in toronto. the public installation is located on the north facade of the frank 
gehry designed gallery as part of the contact photography festival. the piece was created by kruger in 
response to the festival’s theme ‘pervasive influence’. the work consists of a  series of found images 
and statements that includes ‘shove it’, ‘love it’, ‘kiss it’, believe it’ and ‘shame it’. the project aims 
to explore ‘how photography informs and transforms human behavior, especially via the medium’s 
connections to mass media, advertising, consumerism, and propaganda.

This was quite good example I found, it is imagery of a human made up of tonnes of big multi 
million pound corporations. Ultimately living to buy there products and make them richer.

I am wanting to create some kind of panoptic/anti consumerist propaganda which will be situated within the items I leave about town. I am hoping to leave them in busy shopping areas.