I read your previous post. I found it interesting. While the term propaganda certainly has been used t describe “fake” news, I am not referring to that here. Rather, how words and images are put together to convey the message that the user wants the subject to believe.
Your studies of cults probably includes a bunch of examples of how the leader identifies the “needs and desires” of the members and then he finds a way to meet those needs—like a key being inserted into a lock. Then he “owns” them.
I like to watch and listen to the messages to identify the real intent—kind of like watching a magician for misdirection and watching where he doesn’t want you to look.
I am not being a wise ass in this stuff. There is a ton of gray between black and white.
Cunning as a Serpent, Innocent as a Dove: The Art of Worldly Wisdom. ... The Art of Worldly Wisdom or The Pocket Oracle and the Art of Prudence, is a book of 300 maxims and commentary written by a 17th century Jesuit priest named Baltasar Gracián.
#26 “Find each man’s thumbscrew. It is the way to move his will, more skill than force being required to know how to get to the heart of anyone: there is no will without leanings which differ as desired differ. All men are idolators......”