Oddbean

Propaganda 103: Integration Propaganda Integration propaganda isn’t about pushing for radical change; it’s about building a shared understanding of “how things are” to unify groups and projects. Unlike agitation propaganda, which stirs people to act, integration propaganda works quietly, weaving values and norms into everyday language, media, and culture. It’s key for aligning people with a vision, whether in large societies or small projects. But for it to be effective, it has to stay true and accurate—grounded in real experiences and honest values. When it drifts from reality, trust erodes, and cohesion falters. From Jacques Ellul, Propaganda

NOSTR FIXES THIS. The integration propaganda, as described by Jacques Ellul, is omnipresent in our mainstream media today. Instead of providing objective information, values and norms are often subtly woven into the reporting to promote a specific perspective. This can lead to a one-sided presentation of topics that no longer corresponds to reality. When media lose their objectivity and instead pursue a specific agenda, the trust of the population in the media erodes and society becomes polarized. A prime example of this is the selective reporting on certain topics, where only one side of the story is presented, while the other side is ignored or downplayed. This can lead to a distorted perception of reality and influence people's opinion-forming. It is essential that media maintain their objectivity and provide balanced reporting to inform the population, rather than manipulating them.