I am sure this ought get some interesting comments….that is if the post is read….most times the title alone gets the juices flowing for some.
We hear the term ‘spin’ daily….every issue that we think is important has a group that will make you believe their spin (propaganda)…..
But what is a ‘spin doctor’…..a spokesperson employed to give a favorable interpretation of events to the media, especially on behalf of a political party.
But let’s look at the idea…..
Ever since the ideological mastermind of modern public relations – Edward Bernays – suggested to modernize the word “propaganda” by calling it public relations, PR and Spin (a form of propaganda) had been with us. And, today, our world is overflowing with ideas that are shaping “professional” spin doctors.
The top ten firms employing rafts of spin-doctors are companies, for which most of us have probably never heard of, namely: Edelman, Weber Shandwick, BCW, FleishmanHillard, Ketchum, Brunswick, MSL, BlueFocus, Real Chemistry, (and my personal favorite) Hill+Knowlton. They are ready to give the pathologies of capitalism a nice face.
These propaganda companies – euphemistically re-labeled “PR firms” – employ thousands of communication experts. These firms seek to achieve what PR’s Godfather, the aforementioned Edward Bernays, had set out for them to do when he said:
“the significant revolution of modern times is not industrial or economic or political but the revolution which is taking place in the art of creating consent among the governed.”
Creating consent among “the governed” (as he called us) to have a positive, if not supportive, attitude to capitalism, is the job of public relations. Its spin is a form of propaganda. This is achieved, for example, through knowingly providing a biased interpretation of an event. Unsurprisingly, this also includes corporate campaigning to influence public opinion – creating a positive image – about companies, corporations, and ultimately – capitalism.
What Spin Doctors Do
There is no better example of ‘spin’ than the current situation in Ukraine…..the media with the help of ‘spin doctors’ have the American people oozing with admiration for Ukraine’s leader…..they helped turn chicken manure into sirloin for the defense industry and in turn created a ‘hero’.
I admit that I have been leery of the Zelensky admiration society….there is something more there…..more than the orchestrated appearances and speeches.
It must be understood that escalation takes us in the wrong direction, because a war against a nuclear armed power can’t be won. Without this crucial realization the most impossible things become possible, like a hero saving the world. Of course it’s essential to have inspiration and motivation in trying times, but it’s also essential to be practical.
The reason why we should not admire Zelensky is because he doesn’t seem very committed to de-escalating the war. He has said that acquiring more weapons will definitely make him win the war; a powerful argument on its own, but when one considers that only a negotiated settlement can end the war, it dissolves into an impossible promise.
Zelensky’s seeming intransigence makes the possible solutions to the war even more bewildering. If a noble goal is to prevent a nuclear war, shouldn’t there be more emphasis on diplomacy? Yet Zelensky relentlessly implores the world for more and more weapons. Without any appearance of alternatives it’s very easy to assume that more weapons are the answer to ending the war and bringing peace.
Why We Should Not Admire Zelensky
I am not saying that we should totally abandon Ukraine….all I am saying is that there is always two sides and so far our cracker jack media gives one side and one side only….they seldom do what they were trained to do….look beyond and beneath every story.
‘Spin’ is just a more acceptable term for propaganda…the problem is few bother to check the stories out as a complete report of one side of the coin.
Where does your opinion come from….?
Turn The Page!
I Read, I Write, You Know
“lego ergo scribo”
Our two biggest political parties in Britain have always had ‘spin doctors’. The problem starts when those spin doctors start to write the policies, instead of just ‘spinning’ them.
Best wishes, Pete.
Lobbyists and think tanks write all our policies…..not good when you see who pays those guys. cgyq
Everyone who writes things intended to change minds or to influence events is a “Spin Doctor,” either consciously or unconsciously because it is human nature for all writers to write from the center of their own individual bias. And as to a “Negotiated” settlement in Ukraine, there can be no negotiations with an adversary who is so intent on getting their way one hundred percent that every discussion is preordained to be a “My Way or The Highway” situation. The only settlement Putin will ever accept is complete capitulation to his every demand.
No negotiations then the US can expect to waste money and in the long run people….and for what? chuq
Just go back to World War II and you will get the answer to “And for what?” Hitler would not negotiate and Putin won’t either and the outcome will be the same now as it was back then.
OKay and look at the world that came out of WW2….a world of continuous war….so talking is better…..chuq
Talking accomplished nothing in WW2 and talking accomplished nothing in Korea and talking accomplished nothing in desert storm and talking accomplished nothing in Iraq or Afghanistan. What makes you think talking is going to accomplish for Ukraine and Russia when the Russians refuse to negotiate? Yes, talking is better, I agree. But the way things are now there is not going to be any talking that makes a bit of difference. Even the iconic United Nations ia a bunch of talkers but there as impotent as can be.
Once again….blame the 5 permanent members of the UNSC for all the inaction….it is a fine organization corrupted by the likes of those 5….so there are the enemies of peace. chuq
Talking is, indeed, better but until Putin changes his mind or gets replaced by somebody with common sense there is not going to be any talking.
That would mean the defense industry would lose money and that will not allowed to happen. chuq
They will lose a lot of money if they find themselves copycatting Mariupol.
The M-IC seldom looses money…..chuq