Sloganeering and the Bondage of the Mind

Information, once obtained only with great effort, is now regularly force-fed to us from every source. From radio, television, internet, i-phones, magazines, and newspapers; at home, at work, shopping, jogging, dining out- we find ourselves inundated by a virtual deluge of information. The exponential increase in the amount of received information is matched by an exponential decrease in available time for reflection and serious research, and by ever shorter attention spans, leaving the modern mind at the mercy of unscrupulous sloganeers, advertisers, and the masters of headlines. The sound-byte has become our source of truth.

There are two principal negative by-products of this current sad state of affairs which are detrimental to our ability to ascertain the truth.

The first is that modern man's actions are determined ever more by emotion and  mood, and less by intellect and reflection; this results not so much in actions, as in knee-jerk reactions. Consider the present state of advertisement. Few of us have either the time or the desire to research the quality of the products which we see advertised, or to compare large numbers of competitor's prices; thus the advertiser must rely upon emotion, mood, and attention-grabbing phrases, graphics, and audio clips to sell his product. The value of a new exercise bike is of far less importance than the sex appeal of the model advertising it. The taste of the latest flavored vodka is insignificant compared with the social status of those shown drinking it in the commercial. Thus the success of advertising is really dependent on the quality of the ad rather than on the quality of the product.

The second negative by-product is the devaluing of words. The ever-increasing tendency to use words to convey emotion or mood, instead of valid information, inevitably leads to a loss of meaning and to the destruction of language. (And be warned, the destruction of language leads inevitably to the destruction of thought....) The politicians, thinkers, and world leaders of our times have apparently taken a cue from Hollywood and advertisers, and have also become past masters of slogans and rhetoric. Their illegitimate use of certain words and catch-phrases amounts to little more than language abuse. The true definitions of crucial words are obscured, shrouded in vagueness, and twisted to conform to the intentions of those using them. Worse yet, the same words are now being used by such abusers as were used by thinkers, writers, and politicians of decades or centuries ago with almost entirely different meanings. Thus, our hearts leap up and our emotions are stirred (this is the whole idea, of course) when we hear the inspiring words of yesteryear's noble ideals, little realizing that the words and ourselves are being steadily robbed of meaning.

While words can convey a variety of emotions to us, one of the principal emotions underlying this present atmosphere of propaganda is snobbery. Freedom of choice, tolerance, and sensitivity (to use but a few examples) are all perfectly noble words that are frequently used to cover the most ignoble actions and programs. Yet their value in terms of snob appeal is immense. Those who buy into such catch-phrases are made to feel themselves as decent, broadminded, liberal persons. Those who oppose them can be easily shown to be little better than close-minded, boorish, prejudiced jerks. But perhaps it is time for us to shrug off the ignominy and insults, and carefully consider the actual meanings, intentions, and philosophies behind these words and phrases.

What is the meaning of freedom and what is its value and purpose? What relationship does this actually have to "freedom of choice"? How are we to understand the noble principles of duty, honor, and patriotism? What is their relation to dehumanizing methods of military training, unjust wars, and illicit means of interrogation? How do we define equality, and what is the scope and limits of natural human rights? What is the bearing of these concepts on adoption and the institution of marriage? What about separation of church and state? Democracy, liberal, conservative, liberty? Fulfillment, self-expression, lifestyle, personal choice, love?

If we hope to be a people of truth and justice; if we desire to help our neighbors, country, and world; or if we simply long to think clearly, it is imperative that we seek to penetrate the meanings and intentions of the words, ideals and philosophies regularly presented to us. We must shake off the subjective emotionalism of headlines, catch-phrases, and slogans. We must strive to free ourselves of the effects of propaganda, and learn to think on our own two feet again. We have allowed for far too long politicians, journalists, educators, lobbyists, and the heads of government boards to think for us. Let us take back our language and our intellects and pursue the truth. Only then will we know the true meaning of freedom, for it is the truth that sets us free.