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Category: Assertion

Talk about Spin: The official Minneapolis Police Statement after George Floyd was dead

Talk about Spin: The official Minneapolis Police Statement after George Floyd was dead

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The Minneapolis Police Department issued a press release after George Floyd died that was basically a lie, and omitted numerous critical details of the encounter. They later deleted the press release, apparently acknowledging it was not a true statement. The bogus press release is an example of pre-emptive propaganda, typical after police shootings – they release all the dirt they can find on the suspect, and then release a list of commendations and medals of the officers involved. In the case of George Floyd, the MPD left out crucial details – and this would have been all we knew if there had not been an independent video.

When is something a “Crisis”?

When is something a “Crisis”?

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When is something a “crisis” and when is it not? “Crisis” is an intentional word used to evoke emotions – or to call for action. One can choose to use the word “crisis” to suggest something awful (even if not really) or can deliberately choose not to use the world “crisis” to minimize the optics of the situation.

Using a misquote, without context, to try and make a point about modern vaccines

Using a misquote, without context, to try and make a point about modern vaccines

““In 1736 I lost one of my sons, a fine boy of four years old, by the smallpox taken in the common way. I long regretted bitterly and still regret that I had not given it to him by inoculation.” This quote is from Ben Franklin but it leaves out so much context as to be used incorrectly today. It relies on the modern day readers perspective that a vaccination existed then, but perhaps he was an anti-vaxxer. In fact, their “innoculation” had a 1 in 50 fatality rate during smallpox outbreaks. And it was not until about 100 years later the concept of an effective vaccine came into play. This quote works as propaganda because of the “What You See Is All There Is” phenomena – the viewer makes assumptions based on our contemporary situation.

When you re-define the language, you can control the world

When you re-define the language, you can control the world

“Tear gas” and “Pepper spray” have been redefined by riot enthusiasts as “chemical munitions” and “chemical weapons” as they seek to ban the use of crowd control measures by police, when employed at “mostly peaceful protests”. Changing the language is one of the first steps taken in a propaganda campaign. Language redefinition goes on all the time, and lately, with increasing frequency.

Another neat propaganda technique

Another neat propaganda technique

A “report” by an advocacy group opposes “vaccine nationalism” and says we need “a massive course correction” on vaccine distribution by redirecting “excess rich-country doses” to “poorer countries”. But they pulled a little trick in their description – twisting the facts.

Poorly done propaganda using WYSIATI cherry picking: Al Jazeera gets an F on this one

Poorly done propaganda using WYSIATI cherry picking: Al Jazeera gets an F on this one

Al Jazeera runs a column by a professor of philosophy who says capitalism is a failure and that only government can deliver the “innovation” necessary to deliver vaccines for Covid-19. Al Jazeera fails to note his background as an avid socialist member of groups opposed to the “neoliberal capitalist model”. Failing to disclose this background context turns this into a propaganda piece versus not legitimate analysis of issues.

Yes, next question? “Is Facebook Bad for Society?”

Yes, next question? “Is Facebook Bad for Society?”

Starts with the right idea but then focuses on extremist posts on FB rather than that FB is the largest frictionless propaganda platform in world history. Hint: its not just extremists or just right wing propagandists. The sole purpose of the platform is propaganda. New comments from a former Facebook employee has once again raised questions about its approach, and the consequences of such on society. Source: Is Facebook Bad for Society? New Insights on the Company’s Approach Raise Important…

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