I'd like to use this thread to track the propaganda that media outlets are stuffing down our throats in light of the financial crisis. I think such a thread relates to this course in a broad sense, since Eben has mentioned that a major goal of the status quo is to convince us that a "Free Software" society is simply out of the question. By tracking how the media creates propoganda in the context of the financial crisis, I think we can get a flavor for the media's general propaganda techniques. This general understanding of media propaganda techniques will help us to combat such techniques when they are used in internet-related contexts.

To get things started, I have seen FoxNews anchors denounce the bailout by suggesting that it amounts to social-democracy (they use the word "socialism"). In effect, the anchors classify the bailout as categorically evil, simply because it rings of social democracy. Of course, the point of such comments is to convince (or remind) the viewer that the social democratic viewpoint is simply not legitimate in the United States. (Example here, at about 3:50)

• In the United States, or to their audience?

-- AndrewHerink - 27 Sep 2008