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Even Trump is on record saying the democrats are better with the economy.
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Propaganda has been messing with our heads for centuries. From ancient empires to modern media, the art of persuasion has always been about one thing: control. Not through force, but through storytelling that hits you right in the feels. Whether it's being used for war, politics, or convincing you to buy those overpriced sneakers, propaganda thrives on one universal human weakness: our desperate need to belong.
The word “propaganda” actually comes from the Latin “Congregatio de Propaganda Fide” or “Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith.” It was coined by the Catholic Church back in 1622 to promote missionary work. At the time, it wasn't sinister at all. It literally just meant spreading ideas around. But over time? Yeah, it morphed into something way darker: persuasion with a hidden agenda lurking below.
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Jaywalking was invented by the auto industry to create a stigma around walking as a mode of transit.
Propaganda works by skipping reason and appealing to emotion. And fear, pride, anger, and hope? Those are its greatest hits. During World War I, posters like “I Want You for U.S. Army” didn’t provide facts; they created urgency. In World War II, German propagandists turned emotional manipulation into a terrifying art form, basically weaponizing propaganda into mass belief control.
But why do people fall for it? Basically, we're wired to trust repetition, visuals, and social proof. When we see the same message again and again, especially from authority figures or people we respect, our brains start to accept it as truth. The painful fact is that familiarity breeds belief, not skepticism.
#7
Roadside_Prophet replied:
I love how many people swear to this day, even the tiniest amount of MSG in chinese food makes them sick, yet they can put down an entire bag of doritos in 1 sitting without batting an eye.
Just because your food doesn't advertise on the front of the package that it contains MSG doesn't mean it isn't a major ingredient.
They usually label it as monosodium glutamate (which is what MSG stands for), and people dont even realise they are eating it all the time. It's the secret ingredient that makes a lot of things extra delicious.
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I grew up thinking foods like margarin and sugary cereals were healthier than an egg.
Social media has turned propaganda into a global sport. Algorithms reward outrage, and repetition spreads faster than reflection. Modern propaganda doesn’t come from governments alone; it comes from influencers, corporations, and digital echo chambers. The line between advertising, activism, and straight-up manipulation has basically disappeared. We just casually call it "content" now and keep doomscrolling.
The scariest part? Propaganda often starts with good intentions. Governments used it during World War II to boost morale and encourage unity. Health organizations use it to promote vaccines or help folks quit smoking. The difference between helpful persuasion and dangerous manipulation boils down to one critical question: who's actually benefiting from what you believe?
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redsnowdog5c replied:
The original food pyramid was pretty much plant based. The meat and dairy lobby had their way with it
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What a gross, misguided thing to say to a 4 year old. Just because the man was pro-choice.
It's one of my first memories, alongside a gnarly storm in the same house.
Propaganda has toppled empires and built cults. During the Cold War, both sides weaponized film, art, and radio to win hearts. Even ancient Egyptian pharaohs carved propaganda into stone.
Psychologists say resisting propaganda takes cognitive effort. That’s why critical thinking is rare: it demands slowing down in a world that rewards quick reactions. And here's the ironic part: the more certain you feel about something, the more likely you're already under propaganda's influence. Confidence isn’t proof anymore; it’s conditioning.
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Ultimately, propaganda isn’t just about "them"; it’s about us, too. It reveals what we want to believe, what we fear, and how easily truth can be shaped by repetition. Awareness doesn’t make us immune, but it helps. So, the next time a headline feels too satisfying, pause and consider. You might just be reading what someone wants you to think.
What do you think of the propaganda people fell for in this list? Upvote the ones you thought were the most “What the heck?!” and feel free to leave a comment if you can relate!
#16
This was taught in middle school, and I tested it out myself with a candy Warhead during lunch. I felt like an idiot for believing it, even just for a few hours.
I have no idea who convinced every elementary school to teach this like it was a real thing (or why they did so). It flew in the face of common sense and could be easily disproved by anyone!
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Anon replied:
That's not exactly true, though you have the right idea... Like almost every other state of the union, it became a state voluntarily, but before that it became a territory of the US through brutal bloodshed of native peoples.
About 93% of Hawaiians voted to become a state in 1959, but native Hawaiians only represented ~15% of the population at the time.
#18
oxsprinklesxo replied:
HR exists to protect the company from legal action from its employees. Under the false assumption they are protecting the employees from the company.
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Everything from America's founding forward was pretty much lies or dramatic coverage of the darker truths.
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