Propaganda utilizes words, symbols, pictures, drawings, songs, exhibits and a variety of communicative outlets to influence a mass audience; it is inherently goal-oriented and aims to create a narrative of a situation for the masses. Throughout history we see the nefarious usage of propaganda with World War 1, fascism, and communism in the postwar years of revolutionary thought; however, propaganda still seeps into our modern media heavy society. Under our conditions of mass consumption and creation, techniques of propaganda and public relations are intertwined to help sell commodities and goods to the public. By preying on the capitalistic greed our of country, massive corporations such as FaceBook, Instagram, Google, and Amazon among others manipulate the public for their own profit.
With the use of social media massive corporations can use political advertising to advance their own money driven agenda. Last year I watched a documentary on Netflix called “The Social Dilemma,” which delves into the way Big Tech companies manipulate users by using algorithms that encourage addition to their platforms. These companies harvest personal data to target users with advertisements in order to keep them online long enough to earn money.
As the trailer for the documentary gives a glimpse of the corruption within the Big Tech industry, it shows how targeted advertisements are in our society. Everything on social media and off is specifically structured to get one’s attention and spread their own agenda.
For instance, recently Taylor Swift has re-released her version of the album ”Red” which has for good reason blown up online. I myself, have been listening to it non-stop! But shortly after a brand called “KeeplerApp” released an ad referencing one of Taylor Swift’s songs called “All Too Well.”
It’s interesting to see how every message and advertisement has it’s purpose and is working to gain the public’s attention. Every time we walk around advertisement are deliberately placed all around us in the hopes of influencing us to purchase or indulge in something.
Nice trailer! I like how you used the visual on the side of the building. I still recall a visual advertisement I saw as a child on the side of a random building. I was so amazed by the visual that I still remember it to this day. The funny thing is I can't remember the text but I can clearly remember the color. I was wondering if you ever had a similar experience where you can remember a visual clearly but not the context?
This blog is great! I love that you included the trailer for The Social Dilemma, many of my friends have recommended it to me but I haven't gotten around to it yet. The trailer definitely makes me want to try to make it happen sooner rather than later. I too am an avid Taylor fan however, this is my first time seeing this Keepler ad. I'm not familiar with Keepler so my only qualm is that I wish you would've dived into this ad a little more. I see how it can clearly be attention grabbing and make consumers (especially fans of Taylor) curious to learn more about the company. As a fan I understand the phrase and them calling…
Hi ! I really enjoyed reading your blog and how propaganda‘s usage is in this world. It was really descriptive and I can say for myself, I agree on what you said. Also, the Taylor Swift part was extremely relatable because I saw the same post and thought “wow this is so smart”. Great blog!
Hi! Good read! The way propaganda is so proliferated throughout the world today feels somewhat unsettling due to the higher levels of sophistication involved. We know that these companies know a lot about us, even on an individual level, and I'm always wondering in what ways I am unknowingly being manipulated by it, but on the flip-side sometimes propaganda can be beneficial to us, like you said in your blog, it can actually point us to things we may not have realized or known about until it was brought to our attention.. but it was brought to our intention with a purpose
I also saw that Taylor Swift related post on my news feed and I could't help but think of how brilliant it is. For one, for those that understand the billboard, they're going to laugh and point out the business that did it. Thus leading more people to look into the business. TikTok in itself is a master at disguising advertisements all over the app.