Humor in Propaganda

A lot of this post is based on part of a video by YouTuber JamesSomerton “The Str8 to Fascist Pipeline” where he examines the propaganda escalation shown in the film Cabaret. It is worth a watch. This post is going to focus on the role of humor in making horrible things acceptable to the general population.

Click on picture to view entire video.

Is It Really Getting That Bad?

In short, yes.

Role of Propaganda

James Somerton provides a simple formula for fascist propaganda: “It used to be better for us. It’s their fault it is not. The rage is diverted to some group, rather than politicians who have been in office for decades."

Comedy makes the hatred easier to accept

“Learn to take a joke” shows centrist and left reactions to fascist use of the comedy tactic. Our screaming outrage is the wrong approach. We need another one.

A group that laughs together is bonded together. So we need to turn the joke on them. You don’t have to be a fascist to be annoyed at people wagging their fingers at you and admonishing you. Culture changes. Clearly calling them out in the way that has been done isn’t working. In fact, I think they enjoy the upset. It allows them to discharge some of their anger on to others.

How Humor Works in Propaganda

Let’s take a look at one slice of this type of messaging, and possible counter-narratives that would be effective.

“Highlighting differences from the norm creates othering.” We need to derail the othering by broadening their message to include almost everyone. Then the joke is on them.

The role of humor is normalization of the toxic belief, to create acceptance of a fact that is not questioned. Humor provides a release of tension. In another context, it isn’t funny at all. See here.

For fascists, the political animal is not the animal in possession of logos, but rather, an animal that guards its existential silence in favour of the homogeneous community.

An Example, a Suggestion