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History | Culture | Politics
The Strange and Fascinating History of Military Propaganda
Distinguishing free speech from orchestrated lies and manipulation.
I’ll give you an example.
The term “jaywalking” was introduced in the 1920s by the US auto industry — and it’s a form of propaganda. It was intended to reduce liability by shifting blame to pedestrians but also had a surprising cultural angle.
At the time, the term “Jay” was used to describe a rural person who had never been to a city, and when he did go, he was bewildered and confused by all the lights — leading him to walk slow and block pedestrians on the sidewalk.
Walking like a Jay was an insult.
Automobile lobbyists then infiltrated the education system and began teaching that roads are for cars, not people. They later passed draconian laws allowing people to be fined for crossing. Even worse, Urban planners began designing cities that were hostile to walkers.
People often conflate free speech and propaganda.
Propaganda is more systematic, with an agenda, and is often fueled by an organization.
It’s also a very effective tool in times of war. For example, the perception that…
