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The Power of Repeated Promotion - Beware of the "Goebbels Effect"

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The text discusses the Goebbels Effect, named after Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi propaganda minister, which highlights how repeated lies can be perceived as truth, especially when not challenged. Despite its origins in Nazi propaganda, the effect remains relevant today, amplified by digital technology and social media. The article outlines the origins and impact of the Goebbels Effect, emphasizing Goebbels' use of emotional manipulation and simplistic messaging to instill extreme nationalist beliefs in the German populace. It explains how misinformation can thrive in authoritarian regimes where diverse viewpoints are suppressed. In contemporary society, the Goebbels Effect manifests in advertising and media, where repeated phrases can condition responses. Vulnerable groups, such as children and those with lower education levels, are particularly susceptible to such manipulation. The text warns against the misuse of this effect by certain media figures who exploit emotions and create divisive narratives. To counteract the Goebbels Effect, the article suggests several strategies: recognizing propaganda techniques, maintaining rational thinking, diversifying information sources, enhancing critical thinking skills, and fostering self-awareness. In an age of information overload, it is crucial to remain vigilant and discerning to protect oneself from misinformation and uphold societal truths and freedoms.

Discussing the Goebbels Effect and Its Prevention#

“A lie repeated a thousand times will not become the truth, but if a lie is repeated a thousand times and not allowed to be punctured, many people will take it as the truth.” Some say this quote was not said by Goebbels himself; however, it accurately depicts his propaganda methods. Even today, the Goebbels effect remains prevalent in various forms of propaganda. The rapid development of internet technology has further facilitated this effect, and faced with an overwhelming amount of information filtered through big data, we may easily fall into the "brainwashing" trap if we are not careful. Therefore, it is particularly important to explore the origins, manifestations, and prevention methods of the Goebbels effect.

I. The Origins and Impact of the Goebbels Effect#

The Goebbels effect, also known as the "illusion of truth effect," is named after Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi Germany Minister of Propaganda. Despite being physically disabled, this PhD from Heidelberg University possessed a highly provocative language ability and extreme brainwashing propaganda methods, earning him the titles of "genius of propaganda" and "the voice of the Nazis" from Hitler.

Goebbels believed that through continuous repetition, one could gradually make people believe any lie. He particularly emphasized the accumulation of psychological suggestion in shaping group beliefs. In his speeches, he repeatedly instilled extreme racist ideas, such as "You are insignificant; your nation is everything to you," and promoted the "natural righteousness of the Aryan race." This simplistic and crude label-style propaganda greatly stirred public emotions, leading people to identify with his viewpoints.

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He was well-versed in the art of incitement, using patriotic songs, repetitive slogans, uniformity in parades, and meticulously designed rituals to create a hypnotic effect. In this process, blind patriotism, aggression, and emotional release were gradually stimulated, guiding the German populace to accept extreme nationalist ideas such as "racial purity."

Before Germany's blitzkrieg on Poland, Goebbels spread false information through Nazi newspapers and broadcasts, creating the illusion that "Poland is about to attack Germany." His core strategy was to fabricate lies with concise and powerful language and to embed them in people's minds through constant repetition. In this way, lies transformed into "truth."

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Why do lies spread? On one hand, ordinary people are busy making a living and lack the time to deeply understand and analyze current events; on the other hand, in an authoritarian regime, information sources are singular and lack diverse voices, which can mislead even intelligent individuals. As the saying goes: "Material monopoly makes people poor, information monopoly makes people ignorant." In authoritarian societies, the two "antidotes" of truth and logic are often strictly prohibited. Ignorance is not innate; it is more often a result of human shaping.

II. The Current Manifestation of the Goebbels Effect#

With the development of communication studies, the Goebbels effect has not only been studied in depth but also widely applied in advertising, media, and self-media communication. For example, when we hear phrases like "What to drink if you're afraid of heat" or "What happens if you get onychomycosis" or "No gifts for the New Year, just send gifts..." we often reflexively think of standard answers. This phenomenon indicates that we have been subtly influenced by repeated suggestions.

Research shows that the effects of suggestion vary from person to person: children are more easily suggested than adults, women are more influenced than men, individuals in a fatigued or hypnotic state are more easily guided, and those with lower education levels are also more susceptible to suggestion. While these characteristics may be relatively harmless in advertising, they can have far-reaching negative impacts in other areas.

Some unscrupulous self-media bloggers and purveyors of "pseudo-history" exploit the Goebbels effect to deceive the public and achieve ulterior motives. They are well aware of the power of emotional manipulation and spread extreme viewpoints through labeling and provoking opposing emotions. For example, the populism they promote uses slogans like "Those not of my race must have different hearts" to divide friend from foe and create stereotypes. They then propose and amplify pseudo-issues based on this, such as "Where is the center of civilization's origin?" to force the audience to take sides. Once someone attempts to transcend their stance and focus on facts, they are labeled as "traitors."

These individuals are also adept at creating sensationalist gimmicks, such as "Newton is a descendant of the Ming Dynasty royal family," "The Declaration of Independence inherited Confucian thought," and "Aristotle's name comes from the Yongle Encyclopedia," among other absurd claims. These exaggerated contents trigger emotional reactions, enhancing the attention and spread of the information, leading more people to get involved.

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III. How to Prevent the Goebbels Effect#

In the face of the profound impact of the Goebbels effect, how can we avoid being brainwashed?

  1. Recognize Propaganda Tactics: Knowing oneself and the enemy is essential for maintaining clarity.

    • Inciting Hatred: Propagandists often exploit feelings of hatred, subtly discrediting certain races, nations, or religions to provoke hostility and anger among the masses.
    • Appealing to Vanity: By flattering or mocking, they satisfy or threaten the audience's self-esteem, such as saying "Smart people all know..." or "Only fools wouldn't understand..." to guide people to accept certain viewpoints.
    • Slogan-like Language: Slogans are often vague and emotional, making them easily accepted by the public. For example, "The motherland is supreme" or "Give me liberty or give me death," but these slogans often hide complex issues that require deep exploration. As Churchill said, "A simple message is enough to mobilize millions of ordinary people toward a peaceful goal to engage in war." Propagandists are skilled at leveraging people's emotions and symbolic symbols, such as flags and salutes, to further incite blind following.

  2. Maintain Rational Thinking: In the face of a massive amount of information, it is crucial to remain calm and avoid being swayed by emotions. Learn to analyze information sources and assess their authenticity and logic, especially remaining vigilant against extreme or exaggerated viewpoints.

  3. Broaden Information Channels: Avoid obtaining information from a single source; try to understand different perspectives from multiple angles. By reading diverse books and newspapers, watching documentaries and news reports from different viewpoints, one can form a more comprehensive understanding.

  4. Enhance Critical Thinking: Continuously learn, enrich your knowledge base, and strengthen your analytical and discernment abilities. Knowledge and logic are the best weapons against false information.

  5. Increase Self-Awareness: Understand your values, beliefs, and potential biases, and be wary of others using these weaknesses to influence your judgment. At the same time, maintain an independent personality and avoid easily following the crowd.

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