Deception in One’s Mind
Manipulation. The action of getting someone to do something without their knowledge. This word is what many times deceives a person and forces them to do something they do not like. Many people find themselves in a situation that oftentimes they were tricked into. American philosopher, Eric Hoffer once spoke something along the lines of “propaganda does not deceive people; it merely helps them to deceive themselves.” Hoffer describes that propaganda which is the use of false advertisements is not what is tricking people. It simply assists in the deception of one deceiving themselves. In George Orwell’s novel Animal Farm, the animals are manipulated into looking past the flaws and trouble of the farm. Napoleon, the main leader on the farm is able to trick the fellow animals because his minions are able to mislead everyone. Since the animals are unable to truly see what is occurring, therefore, they are deceiving themselves.
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He mentions that the propaganda being used is to help the person in a way that tricks them. Not only is the person being persuaded into believing something, they are forced to think this way for some time. In some cases, such as North Korea, citizens are brainwashed to believe that Kim Jong Un is their savior. Un uses propaganda in a way that many of his people do not realize what is occurring besides defectors of the party. The posters, military parades, and speeches aid in the citizens being deceived. Additionally, many who are isolated in certain parts of the world are duped into falling under the rule of their leader. Just like how Hoffer demonstrates in the quote that the propaganda assists in one deceiving themselves the dictator in each situation is assisting in the deception of their people. Overall, Hoffer’s quote explains the concept that propaganda acts in assistance to one deceiving