Word for the Day: Agitprop

[Shin]

Define it, realize it and understand it historically, and learn how it is used in today's culture, every day to influence you.

[Mamasye]

Just because we see & hear stuff it doesn't mean we'll follow. That's the good thing about having your own mind !

[Shin]

Truth! And it doesn't just apply to politics. Think about the nutrition news!

[Mamasye]

Really - I wish I'd hear butter is actually very good for your health but I think that's pushing it ! Oh, Jim ( that would be my husband, ya know ) would be ALL over this topic . 

[Shin]

Oh, you haven't gotten the email forward about "the difference between butter and margarine" yet?   

[Brigid]

In what context are we supposed to use this in everyday conversation (unless our profession is Russian history or leftist theater)?

[Shin]

Well, I intend to talk about it more with news analysis.

In other words, take all the news articles you read in a single day, and analyze them through the filter of: agitprop.

Ask yourself: Is the news article agitprop?

How does it seek to agitate me?

What 'moral' truth does it seek me to believe is the solution to this agitation?

Do it enough times, and see where it gets you.

After that, it may indeed become a new word you use at the dinner table.

"Did you realize how much of our news is agitprop?" you might say. Or, "Look at how this article is trying to make me believe this or that!"

When before, you just believed this or that, because naturally, the news articles led you to believe this sort of moral truth must be reasonable and true and the solution to problem 'x'.

Agitprop is very prevalent today, and is one of the primary means propaganda about various issues is spread everywhere.

Every day there are millions of potential news stories throughout the world.

Yet many people complain that the TV news and newspapers have the same old stories regurgitated all the time.

But they don't have to have these same old stories. It is their choice to have these same old stories.

Why do they have the same old stories?

What different kind of stories could they have but choose not to?

What would a newspaper story look like flipped upside down?

These are good questions to ask.  

[Brigid]

Well, I intend to talk about it more with news analysis.

In other words, take all the news articles you read in a single day, and analyze them through the filter of: agitprop.

Ask yourself: Is the news article agitprop?

How does it seek to agitate me?

What 'moral' truth does it seek me to believe is the solution to this agitation?

Do it enough times, and see where it gets you.

After that, it may indeed become a new word you use at the dinner table.

"Did you realize how much of our news is agitprop?" you might say. Or, "Look at how this article is trying to make me believe this or that!"

When before, you just believed this or that, because naturally, the news articles led you to believe this sort of moral truth must be reasonable and true and the solution to problem 'x'.

Agitprop is very prevalent today, and is one of the primary means propaganda about various issues is spread everywhere.

Every day there are millions of potential news stories throughout the world.

Yet many people complain that the TV news and newspapers have the same old stories regurgitated all the time.

But they don't have to have these same old stories. It is their choice to have these same old stories.

Why do they have the same old stories?

What different kind of stories could they have but choose not to?

What would a newspaper story look like flipped upside down?

These are good questions to ask.  

Since I live alone and refuse to look at the newscasts/paper anyway (too depressing and violent), I really liked the idea of looking at a newspaper story flipped upside down (literally).

[Shin]

Honestly it's just as well to not read or watch the news mostly.

[Brigid]

Actually, I think I saw a website (wish I'd bookmarked it) that turned what you posted upside down.

[Shin]

I'd like to revive this thread to note that our society and media are not Catholic at large, and have a large influence on much of what is called 'Catholic' media -- a good deal of it isn't.

Foundationally, we as Catholics, can't be children of the views expressed commonly in an anti-Catholic culture.

Part of the Faith journey for those of us born into it, is getting out of it, becoming fundamentally different in our worldview.

Agitprop is one of the means the media uses to excite people to pursue the moral causes of its values. These values are also taught in public schools, and inculcated at large through simple peer approval.

Part of being a Catholic is not allowing oneself to be so easily influenced.

When you look at your day to day life and what emotions drive you -- how pleasing and God oriented are those emotions? What is their foundation? Self or Christ? World or Christ?

It's painful to begin to rewrite who you are, but it's more painful not to, and it is also liberating to no longer be a child of the world media. 

[Brigid]

[clap, clap, clap]

[Bailey2]

Agitprop is one of the means the media uses to excite people to pursue the moral causes of its values. These values are also taught in public schools, and inculcated at large through simple peer approval.

I looked up agitprop....... political propaganda.......
This is a really good topic........ should it not be under Catholic General Discussion?   
I hope this thread gets long.........

[Brigid]

Agitprop is one of the means the media uses to excite people to pursue the moral causes of its values. These values are also taught in public schools, and inculcated at large through simple peer approval.

I looked up agitprop....... political propaganda.......
This is a really good topic........ should it not be under Catholic General Discussion?   
I hope this thread gets long.........

I second that suggestion.

[Bailey2]

Shin, can anything be done to move this to the other section of this forum? 

[Shin]

Certainly, there's a way to do it. As you wish, so shall it be! Wala wala Washington!