Goebbels' Principles of Propaganda #10

Listening to the Enemy

Photo by Sander Sammy on Unsplash

MATERIAL FROM ENEMY PROPAGANDA MAY BE UTILIZED IN OPERATIONS WHEN IT HELPS DIMINISH THAT ENEMY'S PRESTIGE OR LENDS SUPPORT TO THE PROPAGANDIST'S OWN OBJECTIVE

It was a classic “use their words against them” strategy. At one point, the Nazis published a ten point list of the lies told by Churchill to sway the press in neutral countries. It worked.

The Tell with Christine Axsmith is going to pivot to include coping strategies along with little nuggets of wisdom and insight. Medicine these days is bad enough. Let’s add some sugar.

This is another propaganda tactic that just doesn’t survive into the 21st century all that well. We can see, even in current conflicts, a Battle of the Interpretations for a photo of a bombed building. First, it is blamed on one side. Second, more information and context is available, and the other side is responsible. Third, true-blue supporters of the first narrative find a way to say they were right all along. This continues forever. Generally a consensus is formed, but the arguing and counterpoints never stop.