Splitting the world with words.
This, a reflective piece on the paper by Larkin (2020)1 considers the impact of propaganda within the therapeutic setting.
A scope of psychoanalytic work it is to acknowledge often ill-defined, conflicted thoughts and feelings. Anxieties born from these conflicts invite defensive feelings and an immediate relief of symptoms rather than more satisfactory ways of coping. Perhaps similarly, the enduring split nature of ‘mind’ contrasts the unifying intent of the propagandists.
Larkins (2020) focus on the symbiotic ideas of Eric Fromm reminded me of the painful anxieties of birth, interrogated by Melanie Klein. The death instinct and the desire to merge again as if meaning was once found in the symbiosis of the mother/baby dyad, maintained as much and for as long as possible, after birth. The basic assumption being that to experience the world alone, is enough to seek merging. That “the self” is weak. It avoids isolation. It seeks union and oneness with the world.
“That, as Larkin (2020) notes, we are “happy to be brainwashed!”
Larkin (2020) tracks the historical syntax of propaganda from earlier times, referencing the obvious religious and political contexts to illustrate its ideal. Where it cements idealogical structures it provides containment and with good intent stimulates progress, binding communities. But, where power elites find favour and access they propagate a faithful truth, intending nefarious goals by manipulative means.
Considering this resulting black and white world and not ever the unification of the whole (as without there would be no countervailing resistance to the propagated beliefs) we see the power of unity on one side. It’s colour, tone, shape and impact are truly obvious. ‘Us’ against ‘Them’, of ‘In-group’ & ‘Out-group’, the discrediting of opponents, labelling counter-information as lies or distortions, good-bad object relations, idealising-denigrating, the psychoanalytic unification of feeling, of sadistic (aggressor) or masochistic (victim) dyads.
At its heart, propaganda’s goal is to carefully and indisputably manage thoughts and feelings by focusing attention on a unifying message that requires the individual, independently and as part of the group to sacrifice their integrity, psychically and as we have seen with Covid-19, physically.
Proponents of propaganda deny its ownership and attack those who deny their message as propagandists. Its objective is to mitigate cognitive dissonance, where feelings and behaviours contradict and resist. To capture those outside of the flock, subtly at first and then forcibly - if internal harmony cannot be achieved. Manifest within the group, the vicarious satisfaction of goals become enough. Objectively and while it holds meaning for the group, being a cog in a machine becomes satisfactory if not pleasurable. The sacrifice of personal beliefs on the masochistic alter of the group.
While Advertising, State-messaging and The Press is confused with what may or may not be truth, they only offer the median through which this sacrificial false request is communicated.
“You are now, not alone!”
The illusion of strength, unity & morality is brought forth by the words of the leader/s. A false belief in moral goodness sketches a hypnotic image for the masses. Individually it intoxicates and collectively confederates. The objective is to dissolve individuality. Too foreclose the mind of the individual & open it to the mind of the group. To instil a panopticon groupthink.
“That those others are liars and propagandists and we, are truth-tellers.”
The signs are always there in psychoanalytic work. The inverted assumption of the encounter. That rather than truth being in the mind, it is between the two individuals speaking. It is never known, but simply experienced. It is allusive. Never in one place. It is a fleeting thought, contained by the experience. An experience, contained by ones humanity.
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