Teresa Berkowitz

Propaganda is pervasive and we are more easily influenced than we would like to admit. Information is flowing so quickly we are drawn to shortcuts to make sense of the world around us. Simplification of complex ideas to a single emotional meme works like a virus. Right, left or center, no one is immune.

Some signs that infectious content has hijacked your brain:

• You believe you completely understand the issue with little research.
• You are emotionally attached to purity of your perspective. Other perspectives are seen as a threat.
• You find you are unable to sustain a meaningful exploration of an idea without resorting to prepackaged words and slogans.
• You reject nuanced discussion.

What we can do:

• Really talk to people we disagree with.
• Fact check.
• Use of own voice and our words to describe our perspective. Avoid the slogans that come easily.
• When things get nasty, exit with strength and dignity.
• Learn to recognize propaganda
• Find out more about propaganda theory.

Here’s a few articles about propaganda that I enjoyed.

On our drive to be influenced.

On our need to simplify in an age of information overload.

photo credit: “Nixon is the One” from examples of propaganda by Caitlyn Jordan. An artful collection of propaganda posters.

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