The debate regarding the proposed Gurdwara for the south end has elicited comments from a wide range of observers.
What’s grabbed my attention is the use of propaganda techniques in debating this (apparently) emotionally charged issue.
For those that don’t know, the seven common propaganda devices are (in no order):
• Testimonial – leveraging respect from one forum to another
• Plain Folks – propagandist portrays him/herself as a ‘everyday joe’ to establish empathy
• Generalities – using highly valued concepts (democracy, honour, freedom)
• Transfer – transferring respect from one idea or concept to another idea
• Name Calling – disparagement, connecting the target to a negative concept
• Bandwagon – everybody is doing it, so should you
• Card Stacking – manipulating perceptions by emphasizing one side of an argumentWhen you’re reading some of the arguments, keep these in mind. Is a logical argument being made? Or is the writer just trying to manipulate your thinking to create an emotional response? JM