Ostensibly, there is heavy investment in national messaging- particularly during war efforts. I wonder if you have a personal take on messaging during modern warfare. Would you proffer an opinion on what Klemperer would have to say about messaging (and communications) during today's Russo-Ukraine War?
I haven't read your initial installment of This Piece, but so many questions are begging. For one, I'm wondering what constitutes "propaganda" according to someone like Klemperer; and secondly, I'm wondering whether both Russia and Ukraine engage in propaganda tactics, and whether ancillary publications (from foreign outlets) of either side's messaging constitutes agreeable definitions of propaganda.
[Don't feel obligated to answer all of This. Your Article just prompted my thinking, a bit. You wrote an intriguing piece.
And, by the way, you have quite the peculiar (to me), cool and remarkable name.]
Hi Maurice - thanks for your post. Yes, Russia and Ukraine certainly engage in propaganda. The Allied powers during WWII did, too.
As for the definition of it, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, propaganda is: "The systematic dissemination of information, esp. in a biased or misleading way, in order to promote a particular cause or point of view, often a political agenda. Also: information disseminated in this way; the means or media by which such ideas are disseminated."
I hope that helps.
Thanks for the comment about my name! (I'll tell my parents.) :)
Great second installment in this mini series! I’m keeping this in my “saves”along with #1.
While reading I was thinking, “Since this is all so well documented in history, why do people roll their eyes in everyday communication when someone points out that certain language used is specifically designed to be manipulative?”
I cannot count how many times in my life I’ve been interested in discussing with someone either something someone said in front of both of us, or something in a magazine or TV show or ad or social media post and the person’s response is, “I think you’re reading too much into it.” And brushing it off.
And when I persist, they double down, “I just wouldn’t take things so seriously. It’s not a big deal.”
But language choice IS serious though, right? Or, is it only serious in extreme circumstances like Nazi’s seeking domination.
Have you had similar encounters that influenced your motivation to pursue this topic or is it exclusively cultural for you?
Yes! Language choice is a serious matter, and if it's coming from someone or something influential, it matters a great deal, especially in mass media and politics. I'm sorry to tell you, if someone brushes you off like that, they are either (a) not privy to the power of language in mass media and politics, (b) diminishing your interest in the topic, or (c) agreeing with the messaging and thus gaslighting you. Regardless, it's not the nicest way to react when someone wishes to explore an idea or concept with another person (just my two cents).
I've pursued this particular topic because I was, millennia ago (lol), a Ph.D. student in history, so I'm just reconnecting with my previous interests. I was actually working on a dissertation about humor and laughter under the Nazis. (My second field of study was Early Modern Europe, so keep an eye out for pieces on that time period, too.) Does that make sense?
Very insightful. I have so much Nazi stuff. My relatives brought back from World War II and now I can’t believe it’s on the rise again. How quickly people forget.
The text makes very clear how the Nazis manipulated not only through language but also through images, symbols, and even everyday words loaded with emotion to control society. It’s unsettling to see how something as simple as a poster or a term like Eintopf could become a propaganda weapon shaping behavior and collective perception.
Do you think we are still just as vulnerable today to this kind of visual and linguistic manipulation in media and politics, even if the messages are more subtle?
Absolutely. There is, without a question, the same sort of vulnerability to this visual and linguistic manipulation in media and politics today. Trumpism is a case in point.
Ostensibly, there is heavy investment in national messaging- particularly during war efforts. I wonder if you have a personal take on messaging during modern warfare. Would you proffer an opinion on what Klemperer would have to say about messaging (and communications) during today's Russo-Ukraine War?
I haven't read your initial installment of This Piece, but so many questions are begging. For one, I'm wondering what constitutes "propaganda" according to someone like Klemperer; and secondly, I'm wondering whether both Russia and Ukraine engage in propaganda tactics, and whether ancillary publications (from foreign outlets) of either side's messaging constitutes agreeable definitions of propaganda.
[Don't feel obligated to answer all of This. Your Article just prompted my thinking, a bit. You wrote an intriguing piece.
And, by the way, you have quite the peculiar (to me), cool and remarkable name.]
Hi Maurice - thanks for your post. Yes, Russia and Ukraine certainly engage in propaganda. The Allied powers during WWII did, too.
As for the definition of it, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, propaganda is: "The systematic dissemination of information, esp. in a biased or misleading way, in order to promote a particular cause or point of view, often a political agenda. Also: information disseminated in this way; the means or media by which such ideas are disseminated."
I hope that helps.
Thanks for the comment about my name! (I'll tell my parents.) :)
It's a family name by the way, and it's French.
Compris. Merci pour votre reponse, Cryn. 😊
Absolutely, Maurice! My pleasure.
Thank you very much for this! I've read his Diaries and this book has forever been on my to read list.
My pleasure! Did you have a chance to read the pieces I wrote on his diaries? I read them this past summer. Brilliant works.
No I haven’t actually but I’ll try to check them out. Thank you!
Great second installment in this mini series! I’m keeping this in my “saves”along with #1.
While reading I was thinking, “Since this is all so well documented in history, why do people roll their eyes in everyday communication when someone points out that certain language used is specifically designed to be manipulative?”
I cannot count how many times in my life I’ve been interested in discussing with someone either something someone said in front of both of us, or something in a magazine or TV show or ad or social media post and the person’s response is, “I think you’re reading too much into it.” And brushing it off.
And when I persist, they double down, “I just wouldn’t take things so seriously. It’s not a big deal.”
But language choice IS serious though, right? Or, is it only serious in extreme circumstances like Nazi’s seeking domination.
Have you had similar encounters that influenced your motivation to pursue this topic or is it exclusively cultural for you?
Tough read - but well worth the time to have done it
Thanks, Don. The next piece will be harder, so just be prepared.
Yes! Language choice is a serious matter, and if it's coming from someone or something influential, it matters a great deal, especially in mass media and politics. I'm sorry to tell you, if someone brushes you off like that, they are either (a) not privy to the power of language in mass media and politics, (b) diminishing your interest in the topic, or (c) agreeing with the messaging and thus gaslighting you. Regardless, it's not the nicest way to react when someone wishes to explore an idea or concept with another person (just my two cents).
I've pursued this particular topic because I was, millennia ago (lol), a Ph.D. student in history, so I'm just reconnecting with my previous interests. I was actually working on a dissertation about humor and laughter under the Nazis. (My second field of study was Early Modern Europe, so keep an eye out for pieces on that time period, too.) Does that make sense?
Thanks for sharing more about your background and expertise in the topic!
Absolutely, Catherine.
I also hope I wasn't too forward in my remarks about the person downplaying your comments...
All is well! Naming manipulation tactics is the theme here, so it fits perfectly.
I’m thankfully in a position now that I can agree and do the same. 🙏🏻
Very insightful. I have so much Nazi stuff. My relatives brought back from World War II and now I can’t believe it’s on the rise again. How quickly people forget.
Linda - thanks for your remarks. Did your relatives fight in the war?
Yes many did
The text makes very clear how the Nazis manipulated not only through language but also through images, symbols, and even everyday words loaded with emotion to control society. It’s unsettling to see how something as simple as a poster or a term like Eintopf could become a propaganda weapon shaping behavior and collective perception.
Do you think we are still just as vulnerable today to this kind of visual and linguistic manipulation in media and politics, even if the messages are more subtle?
Absolutely. There is, without a question, the same sort of vulnerability to this visual and linguistic manipulation in media and politics today. Trumpism is a case in point.
Have found their origins both fascinating and chilling. Developed a Nazi documentary obsession after Trump came down the escalator.
Yeah, I totally understand. Too many disturbing parallels.