Dystopia. The idea is explored in a now, quite saturated, genre of novels, many of which predict propaganda integrated into daily life, “controlling” the minds of the masses. 1984 is no longer the future, and neither is the twenty-first century. Many would believe that we still have yet to live in such conditions, but the truth contrasts this more than they may be aware. Propaganda is more prevalent than ever, with the advent of the internet, a powerful tool that when wielded can instantly connect one to vast amounts of knowledge. The internet, however, has become a powerful medium for propaganda.
This isn’t even necessarily limited to blatant spreading of opinions, but also to news articles, and companies that exist today. This is not some far off dystopian future, this is TODAY. With all of the new ways for propaganda to reach today’s population, it is more important than ever to concern oneself with propaganda, in order to know fact from fallacy, and make decisions in today’s rapidly changing world. The glittering image of the entrepreneurial spirit once defined the United States, and in many ways still does. It has become easy for media to use this to its advantage, using the idea of entrepreneurism as a positive without backing.
Newspaper Courier-Post uses this as a glittering generality, saying, “Page has long sought to reinvigorate the entrepreneurial culture inside Google” (Guynn). This provides no real information, specifics, or examples of such, yet it is used to induce a positive connotation, implying there bright future benefitting others while the company adjusts to its new conditions. The average reader of this article must know that this does not provide a look into the future of the company, but simply tries to pacify readers with the positive idea of reinvigoration entrepreneurism and a [empty] bright way forward.
This is a shining example of the glittering generalities propaganda device at work, While journalists have the power to make their articles propagandistic in nature, those they interview also have the ability to use their words wisely, to their advantage. If the company responsible for putting out the article agrees with certain things that the interviewee says, they have the power to include those portions of the interview.
In the case of CourierPost’s article on Google’s inclusion in Alphabet, they make sure to include, “‘I think this sets up Google to be a much more diversified company,’ said longtime Google observer Danny Sullivan” (Guynn). Diversity is a thoroughly examined topic in this day and age, and has been a particularly present issue in the tech industry. While it would certainly be good to vary the demographics of tech workplaces, Sullivan simply states the company will be “diversified”, with no information on how this will be accomplished or even attempted.
The word simply has good intention in it, and those at Courier-Post saw this. They, as well as Sullivan, use this propitious statement to distract from the other issues regarding the changes occurring within the company. In the United States in the year 2015, modern means simplistic, flat, and clean. Take a look at “modern” furniture or new operating systems, and they are consistent with this. The country has become invested in this idea of simplicity, and has attached a positive undertone to it, allowing propagandists to tap into this.
Courier-Post used this to its, and Google’s, advantage, saying, “It’s very powerful in its simplicity,’ said Allen Adamson” (Guynn). This statement gives little to no insight into what Google intends to do with its changes, yet says “simplistic”, and “powerful”, both meant to appeal to the average person, without getting into details that they might question. Both Adamson and Courier-Post expect to win over readers into thinking Alphabet is a great change, without giving any reason behind it other than associating it with a strong modern presence.
Google, an American founded company, tries to appeal to those of its country of origin by talking about the very thing the nation was founded upon. Opportunity. Once again, an example of how media can have selective hearing. Knowing that Americans, and really anyone, likes the sound and virtue of opportunity, Guynn of Courier-Post uses the line from an interview saying, “”This new structure will allow us to keep tremendous focus on the extraordinary opportunities we have inside of Google,’ Page said”.
Once more, Specifics are not evident at all, and Google, and Courier-Post shroud themselves in powerful, appealing words like “opportunity” and “extraordinary”. But what are they actually letting the public know? Nothing. In an age where it is possible to gain information on people simply through using computers, people are more aware of their digital privacy than ever. People want to know more about the products and services they buy into, and what exactly they do.
By saying that “Google may be delivering on its promise of an era of greater transparency” (Guynn), Courier-Post banks on this idea, by telling people that they will be better able to see the inner workings of Google, appealing to people’s want for information, ironically not giving any information on how this would happen. Quite a lot has changed about propaganda over the years. With countless new digital mediums for propaganda, it hasn’t gone away, but rather has exploded and has become a parasite of the digital age. The way Glittering Generalities is conveyed is also vastly different than its infancy in 1937.
It has gone from being virtues and ideals like nationalism, freedom, to more modern implications such as privacy, and diversity. But in its core, propaganda, such as glittering generalities, is essentially unchanged over the years. That is why people need to concern themselves with propaganda, people have been fooled by the same types of propaganda like glittering generalities for years, and if one is to make conscious decisions and live their own lives without their opinions being swayed by the increasingly present media, a firm understanding of propaganda is more essential than ever.
