Here are some interesting words of Noam Chomsky that I particularly like.
"How does one recognize propaganda? What are some techniques to resist it?
There are no techniques, just ordinary common sense. If you hear that Iraq is a threat to our existence, but Kuwait doesn't seem to regard it as a threat to its existence and nobody else in the world does, any sane person will begin to ask, where is the evidence?
As soon as you ask this, the argument collapses.
But you have to be willing to develop an attitude of critical examination toward whatever is presented to you....
The Italian socialist Antonio Gramsci wrote, "A main obstacle to change is the reproduction by the dominated forces of elements of the hegemonic ideology. It is an important and urgent task to develop alternative interpretations of reality."
How does someone develop "alternative interpretations of reality"?
I deeply respect Gramsci, but I think it's possible to paraphrase that comment - namely, just tell the truth. Instead of repeating ideological fanaticism, dismantle it, try to find out the truth and tell the truth.
It's something any one of us can do. Remember intellectuals internalise the conception that they have to make things sound complicated. Otherwise what are they around for? It's worth asking yourself what's really so complicated?
Gramsci is a very admirable person but take that statement and try to translate it into simple English. How complicated is it to understand the truth or to know how to act?"
Noam Chomsky.
"How does one recognize propaganda? What are some techniques to resist it?
There are no techniques, just ordinary common sense. If you hear that Iraq is a threat to our existence, but Kuwait doesn't seem to regard it as a threat to its existence and nobody else in the world does, any sane person will begin to ask, where is the evidence?
As soon as you ask this, the argument collapses.
But you have to be willing to develop an attitude of critical examination toward whatever is presented to you....
The Italian socialist Antonio Gramsci wrote, "A main obstacle to change is the reproduction by the dominated forces of elements of the hegemonic ideology. It is an important and urgent task to develop alternative interpretations of reality."
How does someone develop "alternative interpretations of reality"?
I deeply respect Gramsci, but I think it's possible to paraphrase that comment - namely, just tell the truth. Instead of repeating ideological fanaticism, dismantle it, try to find out the truth and tell the truth.
It's something any one of us can do. Remember intellectuals internalise the conception that they have to make things sound complicated. Otherwise what are they around for? It's worth asking yourself what's really so complicated?
Gramsci is a very admirable person but take that statement and try to translate it into simple English. How complicated is it to understand the truth or to know how to act?"
Noam Chomsky.