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.