How we loose the propaganda battle

[Astarho]

I went to the movies today, and one of the previews was for "Troy" the big budget interpretation of the Trojan War. The movie looked good so I checked out the IMDB for more when I saw this thread on their discussion boards:

Now I know how the Greeks felt: Jessica Lynch was raped.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0332452/board/nest/4102815

Now, several other posters do mention the propaganda that the rescue really was and the original poster admits they are having an emotional reaction but what they say later is more interesting:

I just feel that the modern story can help us understand the ancient one. We DID get the feeling that Jessica's rescue, like Helen's, ended the war. It all fits my theory that the age of mythology is far from over: JFK and the New York Firefighters are other examples of modern myths.

Jessica Lynch as the modern-day Helen of Troy. It would appear ridiculous, but there are apparently enough parallels in the minds of some to take it seriously (even if the parallels had to be made up in her "authorized" bio). Joseph Campbell describes the "maiden of innumerable dragon-slayings, the bride abducted from the jealous father, the virgin rescued from the unholy lover." Now we know she was just a poor girl who after an accident was captured by the enemy, but the Rovian propaganda force made it otherwise, like a modern day Penthisilea (yes, I know she fought for the Trojans), she fought to the last and was captured, and raped like Helen and carted off to some Iraqi Troy, until a brave american Agamemnon resuced her from the Trojan Feyadeen.

Myth is very powerful in any culture. Mention Rustam in Iran or Kullervo in Finland and most people will know what you are talking about. Even in the US we have our own myths like Star Wars. I have seen shrewd politicians (or at least shrewd political advisors) try, if not to write themselves into myths, to use them for propaganda purposes. Reagan described the Soviet Union as the Evil Empire in the 80's. I even recall durning the 2000 primaries when McCain challenged Bush, he tried to cast himself as a Luke Skywalker against Bush's Evil Empire.

The poster was right, the Age of Myth never ended. We are still writing it.
But we've got to stop letting the Repubs write and use the myths.

edit- spelling

[Silverhair]

1. Interesting analogy. Very insightful.

Remember Reagan, and his file cards of stories? Everybody laughed at them but they were EXTREMELY effective. George Bush is "inarticulate" but connects with Joe Average.

Our guys are too often sound like policy wonks as they intellectually debate the aspects of a position while Joe Average clicks to a different channel, or goes to sleep.

I think you are on to something.

[-Smith 2.0-]

4. But if Joe Average is so dumb...

... How could be won over by the smarter party. Wouldn't he gravitate to dumb politicians. I think the Dems need to act more dumb, so Joe A. can get a better sence of who they are.

[Desertrose]

5. I'd say Joe A has gotten about as dumb as he can with *

when you are at the lowest...there's only one way and that is up....

after you've done repub...smarten up ...choose Dem...

But actually the post isn't really about dumb vs smart.....more about how to use myth and archetype to inspire/influence and get the attention of the average American. Myth is so ingrained in our culture...we might as well use that to our advantage.....

Peace DR

[lynndew2]

7. Joe Average sees himself public speaking when he sees shrub

Most of us are scared to do public speaking and I think it strikes a tone in average joe to see a president that has to stop and think of the right words. BC was a master of the way to speak and no matter what make it sound good. I think most people see themselves when "*" talks. It makes them feel that they too could if nothing else speak thier thoughts as well as the pres. I think it is wrong to suppose that they are dumber just cause they see things in a different light then we do.

That is probably why we are where we are. They are just as smart but see things different. To call them stupid is just to reflect on US. They have all the power now and to get it back calling names and acting superior isnt gonna do it.

We need to have answers, and all our leaders are doing is fighting each other and making screams at Bush.

The Economy is jumping back now so there went that arguement. Iraq well thats an open notebook. But They need to be saying how they will fight terror and not take away a tax cut that all the sudden now seems to have worked. I am sorry but I had a bad day and was at a loss for answers. If you have em for me please tell me. Thanks.

[Astarho]

11. Dumbness doesn't matter

From the guy who didn't finish high school to the guy with two PhD's I think it's a fair bet to say BOTH have seen Star Wars at least once. Whichever candidate can portray himself as a Luke Skywalker can get the votes of both Didn't-Finish-Highschool Guy and 2-PhD Guy.

[Zomby Woof]

12. yeah, exactly

America needs MORE dumbing down! And let's start with the Democrats, of course. :eyes:

[AmandaRuth]

2. We need to use it...

I know that there are RW professional paid disrupters, myth spreaders and propaganda spewers here on the net, I have often thought I would be more valuable spreading dissent on enemy sites, as I tend to let my emotions get the best of me here, and nothing is achieved that way. I type bad enough and my computer skills are lacking enough to make me seem sincere. Hey if ya need me just call. kidding. kidding kidding not.

[Desertrose]

3. I think this is a very cogent point!

and I think perhaps something that the Dems and candidates need to look at....with the final LOTR movie coming out soon...larger than life portayal of archetypes is again put in front of our faces in a big way. Be nice to have some progressives take advantage of this opportunity for a change....

Good post Astarho :)

Peace
DR


(I thought when the Kucinich campaign linked to "Seabiscuit" that they were on to something there...I think we need to keep it up...of course right now dems are in a feeding frenzy of eating our own- no unity here folks... We need to look at the larger view IMO)

typoedit

[Solly Mack]

6. 2 words - Joseph Campbell

You make an excellent point...and I think you'd enjoy reading Joseph Campbell.

Campbell wrote that: " that mythologies are creative manifestations of humankind’s universal need to explain psychological, social, cosmological, and spiritual realities."





http://www.jcf.org/

[Astarho]

13. I do enjoy reading Joseph Campbell

He is part of what inspired this post. I think The Hero with a Thousand Faces should be required reading for the campaigns.

[Desertrose]

8. think I'll give this a kick

:kick:


Peace
DR

[Zomby Woof]

9. ZombyBrotherKick!

Any references to Joseph Campbell and linking his instruction to current events and how they play out in the media due to propaganda control, is okay by me! :D

[Cocoa]

10. our myth should be David and Goliath

or some such underdog story.

The theme from "Rocky" would be an awesome theme song. Too bad our convention is not in Philadelphia, I'd love to see Dean or whoever jumping around on those steps. :-)

[Astarho]

14. kick