Are there any notable differences in your opinion that differs ads from propaganda and vice versa? Or do you think that both of these are the same thing?

  • triplenadir
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    2 years ago

    People saying that ads are specifically about making people buy things - what about political ads? I don’t necessarily believe in voting for elected representatives, but I do think voting is a separate act to purchasing.

    People saying all ads are propaganda, what about being listed in a directory, or a basic factual “Gardener available, call 000” post on a community noticeboard? I don’t think it necessarily meets the definition of trying to change someone’s mind.

    • KiaKaha
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      2 years ago

      Political ads are definitely propaganda.

      The classic line by advertisers is ‘we are just trying to inform people’. In most cases, it’s bs. No one needs to be ‘informed’ about McDonald’s existing.

      Things like directories and maps don’t fall into it in my mind, so long as they are objectively curated, without undue prominence given to one option over another.

      • triplenadir
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        2 years ago

        I agree that political ads are propaganda. I’m saying political ads don’t seem to be trying to make people purchase something, which seems to mean the definition of advertising can’t just be about buying products.

        I also agree that “we are just trying to inform people” is a bullshit justification for manipulative advertising. And fuck 50m high mcdonalds signs, even if by comparison to mcd’s usual propaganda they’re “just trying to inform people”.

    • freagle
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      2 years ago

      Propaganda is rooted in propagation of ideas. You post an advertisement to propagate an idea, specifically the idea that you are available for work and can be reached at this address. So yes, all advertisements are propagating ideas on the hope that these ideas will alter behaviors of people (like calling you for gardening help) and therefore all advertisements are propaganda