this post was submitted on 28 Sep 2024
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The war exposed just how gullible people are. After being fed bullshit for two whole years, they will still guzzle it completely uncritically.
I mean just look at average Ukraine thread on .ml World News. It's not even reddit, it's not FBi-run nazi circlejerk, libs there has been exposed to truth regularily for all that time, and they still regurgitate banderite versions uncritically.
This is the real genius of the way the west manipulates people in my opinion. Western approach focuses on ensuring that the mainstream narrative aligns with the interests of the oligarchs, with some dissenting voices being allowed at the fringes. Majority of people want to fit in, so they naturally adopt the views of people around them. Meanwhile, contrarian views being allowed on the fringes makes it possible for people to say there's no censorship, these views just aren't popular because they're nonsensical conspiracy theories, and so on. Thus, the very existence of alternative views further reinforces the belief in the mainstream narrative for the majority.
I do think there is a caveat to this though, which is that when the narrative strays too far from the material reality people experience then it starts running into problems. Hence why we're now starting to see increasing numbers of people falling out of the mainstream.
Incidentally, I thought this was an interesting interview where they point out the growing problems with the Ukrainian narrative and how Europe is now doubling down on censorship because the reality has diverged too far. https://youtu.be/HWvynzLu9yI
I agree. When the Russian intervention began and Western media did a huge crackdown on the truth, the only people I saw allowed to tell the Russian side on mainstream were MAGA crackpots who looked crazy doing it. Can't say there's no censorship, because the narrative is allowed on mainstream media, but presented from the side progressives hate and distrust the most. It's an insidious kind of manipulation.
it's as cynical as it is effective
Oh, absolutely. In February-March 2022 the only "allowed" voices critical of the US empire and its actions were absolute chuds or nutjobs like Russell Brand. I remember those in liberal places used to gang up on folks who were skeptical of the narrative BECAUSE they quoted Brand, of all people. Even a lot of well-meaning people fell into that trap.
I found a YouTube link in your comment. Here are links to the same video on alternative frontends that protect your privacy:
It's a friend-enemy distinction for them.
exactly