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Chris Quilpa 

Propaganda is information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view. It’s communication primarily used to influence or persuade an audience to further an agenda, which may not be objective and selectively presenting facts to encourage a particular synthesis or perception, or using loaded language to produce an emotional rather than a rational response to the information presented.

Simply put, propaganda is spreading ideas, information, or rumors to help or harm an institution, a cause, or a person. It’s information, ideas, opinions, or images that give one part of an argument and are broadcast, published, like in a poster, etc., to influence people’s opinions. Its main goal is to shape people’s opinions so they think a particular way or convince them to support a specific cause or political candidate.

The earliest known use or example of propaganda was the Behistun Inscription (c. 515), which detailed King Darius the Great’s rise to the Persian throne. 

Scientists and academicians, philosophers and politicians, teachers and military officers have played a role, knowingly or unknowingly, in using propaganda for whatever reason, such as indoctrination, to advance causes or competitions among themselves and countries that aim to foster dominance or supremacy over the other. 

Every nation or country wants to be the first, on top of every category, the so-called “pioneer” in every field of endeavor, including sports or athletics. Thus, rivalry arises, and secrecy, indifference, suspicion, and surveillance come with that. There’s increased tension among nations and people as they continue their quest for recognition to be the top and the best in everything possible. 

Propaganda is still used today, with classic tactics such as name-calling or bandwagoning used to sway the audience towards or against a particular belief or idea. It plays a big part in world power, dominance, or domination, and supremacy, especially regarding prestige, popularity, economics, profitability, and superiority.

Now, let’s talk about regulations. If no regulations are imposed on us, what will become of us, our community, society, our league of countries, and our world? Will there be peace and order, civility and decency of living? Or will there be chaos, turmoil, disorder, disunity, and destruction of the human race?

Would we prefer not to have strict regulations because we view them as obstacles to our freedom and independence as a people, as a nation, independent and sovereign and not a subject or a vassal to any powerful country or so-called “superpower?” 

Do we see regulations as a threat to our freedom? Or do we see them as reminders that, as human beings, we’re not perfect? We have limitations, strengths and weaknesses, uniqueness and peculiarities, commonalities and differences. 

What do you think? What’s your take on these topics or issues mentioned above? Have you been aware of any propaganda use or regulations that, in your mind, can be beneficial yet/or controversial?