A lot of human created things are actually, if you take the definition of propaganda as 'art that is intended to inspire an ulterior interpretation to manipulate the experiencer into mirroring the ideals of said ulterior interpretation.

Love songs, for example, are certainly propaganda.

They're extensions of the mating ritual, were each partner competes by inflating their best traits and minimizing their worst, usually coached in flowery metaphorical words that reference the act of physical lovemaking to convince their chosen partner to consider the act.

Nearly all advertising is propaganda.

Hell even charities use propaganda to increase donations.

High school football teams use propaganda to hype up the crowd and to inspire the player.

Not all propaganda is bad.

But propaganda that forwards fascist goals and ideologies ARE bad, and will ALWAYS be bad.

The alt-right have co-opted the format posted by OP, and I guarantee it will surface in other places to undermine Harris's campaign.

[–] Jimbo@yiffit.net 7 points 3 months ago (1 children)

While you are technically correct, most of the examples you've mentioned have more appropriate descriptive words I'd say.

Nearly all advertising is propaganda.

But propaganda that forwards fascist goals and ideologies ARE bad, and will ALWAYS be bad.

You'll find no argument from me on these for sure lol

[–] Angry_Autist@lemmy.world 1 points 3 months ago

Problem is, factions we like also use propaganda and sometimes against us. I know everyone does it but I feel we should be above it. But then I am not a good pattern of brain to base general human behavior on.

[–] TotallynotJessica@lemmy.world 6 points 3 months ago (1 children)

It seems like you define propaganda as any type of persuasive communication, with your labeling of persuasive language as propaganda being a clear example of what you're describing. Much like when fascists use vague words with negative connotations, you use charged words rather than explicit points to argue that my meme is dangerous. You haven't shown how it's inherently tainted besides saying that your observations overrule ours.

I want Harris to succeed and I don't think this meme hurts her. Joe is out of the way, so now we need to get behind a candidate and win. I used a meme that has been common amongst queer people and leftists to make a semantic joke, and I'm not sorry that you can't tolerate it. I'm already careful to not create memes that can be easily misused, so I know this isn't one of them.

I'm annoyed that you're taking out your anger on us, regardless of how sympathetic you might be. What did we do to warrant this hostility? What are you accomplishing? It's just not ok to treat other people like shit, and if you aren't gonna attempt to redirect your anger or avoid lashing out at us, you're just being abusive. We have no duty to put up with it, so if it continues, you should get banned. Even if you are correct in your points, don't be an ass.

[–] Angry_Autist@lemmy.world 1 points 3 months ago

It seems like you define propaganda as any type of persuasive communication,

No I specified the requirement of an ulterior motive, but since you just glossed over that part deliberately to make a terribly written argument, I have now excised you from my lemmy experience forever.

Much like when fascists

Oh, ok. Now you're reported too.

Have a day.