Technique Series #1 - Appeals to Fear: How To Apply

I was commenting on Big Gay Al's Big Gay (Gun) Blog when I realized I would make this blog, so I'm going to start on the propaganda technique I was discussing there:


Appeals to Fear:

Usage: This is best used when something really is urgent, and people aren't responding. It's also very useful in cases where you have no logical argument that would appeal to the majority, so you need them to abandon reason and act quickly.*

Steps:

1.) Convince people that they or their interests are in immediate danger of some sort.

• This cannot be an implied threat of something too far in the future, or they will lose interest.
• Remember also that this has to effect their lives directly, or most people will not care.
• If it is urgent, but they wouldn't understand or agree, then you may want to tweak the truth a bit to catch their interest.*
  

2.) Propose a solution to the problem that is causing this threat.

• Make sure your solution benefits everyone in some way. They won't agree with a plan with no perks for very long.
• People do not like huge changes, so try to make it sound as familiar as possible, maybe speak of "good old days" and compare your proposed results to them.
• You, obviously, need not disclose every minor detail to everyone. Some things won't even be noticed after the fact, so it's not always the wisest thing to do to be completely honest.*
  

3.) Convince the people that this can be done.

• This has to be (or seem like)* a viable option. You must present a plan and the resources to accomplish this plan. The majority of people will not follow a side that they think will lose.
• They must believe that this method will be effective. Your method can not only solve half of the problem. It has to be a big step, or else people will find it to be futile and not worth their time.
• When using the fear appeal, remind the people of those more vulnerable to this threat than they are. Everyone has a weaker (younger or elderly) friend or family member. If you do not mention these dependents, many people may ignore your cause because they feel as though they can handle it. When the more vulnerable are brought into the picture, they realize they might need to do something now, instead of waiting until the threat is at their door.
  

Remember kids, the fear appeal is never the most ethical tactic to use. However, it can prove the most useful in many situation, and it is certainly the most effective.

Have fun with that,
Konasierri


*While dishonest propaganda is considered highly unethical, I'm here to teach methods and history, not dictate morality. The reader is responsible for whatever propaganda they produce. This blog is for informational purposes only. I, personally, do not endorse or suggest the creation of dishonest propaganda or libel in any form.

Welcome

I don't claim to be an expert on propaganda, but I am absolutely fascinated by it.

If you want to effectively get a message across, it's definitely the way to go.

Now, there are a lot of negative connotations about the word, and rightfully so. It can be used for treachery just as well as it can be used for information.

You may say to me "If your sole purpose is to inform people, why do you need to know anything about propaganda? That's only to convey evil dirty mind tricks."

And that's where you'd be wrong. Propaganda tactics are an important part of almost all activism.

Two reasons you need propaganda tactics:

1.) People are lazy - They are not going to read something that doesn't catch their eye. You have to use key phrases in eye-catching fonts. You need to draw them in. This is true in all cases, even purely informative propaganda. Also, they do not want to read something that isn't in a pleasing format. They don't want too many words, they need some pictures, they need lists, they are very picky, subconsciously.

2.) People are complacent - You need to convince them that this is something worth devoting their time to. They will not jump on every cause that they hear of. They need to know why yours is so important that they should disturb their daily lives. They need incentive. This truth is also universal in all propaganda campaigns.


Propaganda helped every cause in history that you support, bet on it. Name a revolution, movement, or cause in a comment and I will show you some relevant propaganda made by the very people you support.

Bottom Line: If you have a cause, you need propaganda.

Welcome to my blog,
Konasierri