Podcast Propaganda Part 2

Asking questions is another one of Owens’ tricks. Her questions lead the audience to a predetermined conclusion without having the burden of producing any receipts. An example of this might be, “Where exactly was Ben Shapiro on the morning of Charlie’s death? I’m just asking questions.” And while there is nothing inherently wrong with asking questions, those that begin to imply guilt without any evidence or seek to damage someone’s reputation based on questions, hunches, or dreams are totally unethical.

Another propaganda technique called a false consensus signal is used by both Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson. This leads the listener to accept something as certifiably true with lines like, “It is blatantly obvious,” or “It is clear, there is no dispute,” or “It has been proven.” Note that the speaker has not produced any evidence at all to make their claims. They are also not saying that they believe something to be true, or that some have argued it to be true, or that there is some evidence suggesting it is true. This is to trick you into thinking that you should already know the information presented and if you do not, you must be grossly uninformed or worse yet – stupid. The implication is that you might embarrass yourself by asking for verifiable facts or sources. This technique is designed to lull you into self-doubt, compliance, and ultimately obedience.  

Assertion stacking is another way to form people’s thoughts. When multiple signals of certainty are repeated in rapid succession, the listener becomes overwhelmed and is unable to register doubt on the veracity of any of the claims. Here is an example: “Maybe, of course it is, obviously, it’s the truth.” This one sentence repeats the claim over and over again and lands on something that is not to be denied or challenged. Owens and Carlson use this form of propaganda as well to persuade their audiences.

Another type of propaganda is called pre-suasion. This technique attempts to reframe a narrative by telling you what something is or means as you are viewing a video or picture. Often these visual images are voice-overed with suggestive explanations, thereby planting an idea into your head. It is a tactic often used by Carlson when he performs a monologue before a controversial interview to set the stage, as it were, so when the interviewee makes certain verbal claims, you have already heard and seen them and are thus more vulnerable to receive the intended message.

Jeremy Boreing and his team analyzed twenty-three episodes of Tucker Carlson’s podcast, and they found hundreds of examples of propagandistic language being utilized. A clear pattern emerged suggesting that this has not been done by accident. All the while he is protecting himself with plausible deniability by saying things like, “That’s already been proven, I think.” His moronic laugh is another way to disarm listeners. The laugh indicates that some things which may be true are just too ridiculous to believe.

Owens and Carlson also manipulate public sentiment as they inundate their audiences with anonymous sources and insider tips. Often you are told a forbidden truth or shown an exclusive image which you would not be able to procure on your own. Then the authority transfer takes place in your mind as one accepts a small claim, then a larger claim, then still a larger claim until before you know it, you are accepting everything they say lock, stock, and barrel.

As a victim of propaganda, one can feel exhilaration thinking you have been given some secret knowledge or insight that other less important people do not possess. You begin to think that you are extra special and part of something big and meaningful. Little did you realize that you have fallen victim to a social contagion.

The sudden anti-Israel and Jewish blame game practiced by Owens and Carlson certainly feels like a social contagion.  If you were brave enough to question any of this anti-Semitic rhetoric, soon others online accused you of being paid $7,000 by the Israeli government. There was no debate, no search for the truth – just a ridiculous accusation that you were being paid because you became concerned about the rise in anti-Semitism in the West. Rest assured, GMC has not received a dime from Israel or any other foreign lobby for that matter.

There is a huge difference between having a theory about a conspiracy and believing a conspiracy theory. In the former you can test the theory using critical thinking and look for factual evidence, sources and citations before deciding whether you believe something or not. In the later, the conspiracy theory becomes your identity and it answers every question you might have about a multitude of topics. Every problem boils down to this one premise – ex. It’s the Jews’ fault. People who believe in these types of conspiracy theories will not listen to reason and treat any new evidence as a form of a coverup. Blindly following conspiracy theories leads to highly irrational thinking and quite frankly some crazy ideas about the world.

So, the next time you hear either Candace Owens or Tucker Carlson on a podcast, or any other political pundit for that matter, listen for the ways that indicate they may be manipulating you and controlling your thoughts. Once you have heard these techniques and learn to recognize them in real time, you will never fall for their propaganda again.