Recently got into researching topics of sensationalism, media blitz, and the utter void when it comes to critiquing a state of grotesque and utter absurdism.
Currently on "Prophets of Deceit - A Study of the Techniques
of the American Agitator" by Leo Lowenthal and Norbert Guternman. Released in 1949 but, so far, incredibly on the nose for current day factions in power. *points to the obvious*
From pg 13 on Social Malaise:
"EMOTIONAL SUBSTRATUM
This list of diffuse complaints could be lengthened indefinitely; it
should be sufficient to indicate that the grievances the agitator voices do
not refer to any clearly delineated material or moral condition. The only
constant elements discernible in this mass of grievances are references to
certain emotions or emotional complexes. These may be roughly divided
as follows :
Distrust: The agitator plays on his audience's suspicions of all social
phenomena impinging on its life in ways it does not understand. Foreign
refugees cash in on the "gullibility" of Americans, whom he warns not to
be "duped" by internationalists. Strewn through the output of the agitator
are such words as hoax, corrupt, insincere, duped, manipulate.
Dependence: The agitator seems to assume that he is addressing people
who suffer from a sense of helplessness and passivity. He plays on the
ambivalent nature of this complex which on the one hand reflects a
protest against manipulation and on the other hand a wish to be protected,
to belong to a strong organization or be led by a strong leader.
Exclusion: The agitator suggests that there is an abundance of material
and spiritual goods, but that the people do not get what they are entitled
to. The American taxpayer's money is used to help everyone but himself
-"we feed foreigners,"16 the agitator complains, while we neglect our
own millions of unemployed.
Anxiety: This complex manifests itself in a general premonition of disasters
to come, a prominent part of which seems to be the middle-class
fear of a dislocation of its life by revolutionary action, and its suspicion
that the moral mainstays of social life are being undermined. The agitator
speaks of "the darkest hour in American history"17 and graphically describes
a pervasive sense of fear and insecurity:
This afternoon America is caught in the throes of fear, apprehension and
concern. Men are afraid . . . to vote, afraid not to vote . . . Our population
has been caught by the ague and chills of uncertainty. Unless these uncertainties
can be removed, unless these fears can be destroyed, we shall never
have prosperity again.18
Disillusionment: This complex is seen in such remarks as the agitator's
characterization of politics as "make-believe, pretense, pretext, sham,
fraud, deception, dishonesty, falsehood, hypocrisy . . . . "19 In fact, "whenever
a legislative body meets, liberties of the people are endangered by
subtle and active interests."20 Ideological slogans inspire resentment:
"Democracy A Misnomer, A Trick Word Used by Jew and Communistic
Internationalists to Confuse and Befuddle American Citizens. . . .''21
Values and ideals are enemy weapons, covering up the machinations of
sinister powers which, "taking advantage of the mass ignorance of our
people, accomplish their purposes under the cloak of humanitarianism
and justice.''"
If you want to read it as well, here's a free copy I found using duckduckgo:
https://files.libcom.org/files/Leo%20Lo_wenthal%20and%20Norbert%20Guterman%20-%20Prophets%20of%20Deceit%20-%20A%20Study%20of%20the%20Techniques%20of%20the%20American%20Agitator%20(1949).pdf
#uspol #usa #politics #history #books #currentlyreading
