I would like readers' opinions and thoughts about something I listened to last month on "Studio 360," the NPR program produced in New York City and hosted by Kurt Anderson. I wrote a lengthy piece after listening to the conversation between Mr. Anderson and his guest, author Steven Heller, in which they discussed Mr. Heller's newest book, Iron Fists: Branding the 2oth Century Totalitarian State. But I did not like what I wrote, so I deleted it into oblivion.
Readers can listen to the entire 10-minute conversation below. I encourage each of you to ask yourself as you eavesdrop on this discussion what one thing is NEVER mentioned: What incredible phenomenon occurring right before our very eyes do these two men completely ignore? (Note the anemic reference to American flag lapel pins).
Please listen to "Propaganda R Us." It's important, I think. At the very least, you will learn something. (Click on arrow below.)
(Are there any rather recent examples that pop into your mind of political branding, of badges, posters, banners, uniforms, songs, and the like?)
2 comments:
Well, I did learn that Mao never brushed his teeth. I will cherish that thought forever. Thank you Bill.
Although probably not what you are looking for Bill, I suppose the most notable ommission was the complete lack of substance. To refer to the advance of Nazism or Maoism, or Stalinism as a giant art project with ideology relegated to a secondary position is complete sophistry and ignores the brutal realities. Hitler was an artist how? I wanted to be a baseball player, I ended up a banker. Hitler did some doodling and ended up a genocidal maniac.
A note on branding. Branding only gets you so far without a product. Branding without a product is selling sizzle without a steak. The brand only takes on meaning through the success of the venture. The cart is not before the horse. The Nazi swastika has virtually no meaning prior to 1933 but is plundered with meaning after 1939, when Hitler invaded Poland and began his demonic march through Europe. But the brand is only secondary to the product it represented.
Which brings me to Barack Obama. He is a bit different and I don't mean to equate the discussion here with the man, who by all accounts, is a decent man. But Barack Obama, by resume and life experience, is the product of branding not the branding of a product. He is sizzle without the steak.
Peace
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