Capitalist brainwashing - how does it work?!

[UnionofSovietSocialistRepublics]

In capitalism you are free to learn and to an extent participate in socialism, anarchy or any other political movement you want to. It is often easy to get a biased picture of them, for example Mccarthyist views on communism, but even still the public are free to learn more about it, especially since the rise of the internet. What intreegs me is that even though the information is there many many people dont look at it, the best example i can think of is when i mention the USSR, which was a huge and powerful nation that has collapsed very recently, yet some people dont seem to know it existed. I'd like to hear views on this- why do we live in a society where people are blindingly accepting, and not exploring alternatives, even if their unahppy with the current situation?

[Lardlad95]

It isn't brainwashing it's learned biased.

from an early age children are taught

1. To love their country

2. That their country is the greatest of all time

and 3. That they live in a land that is free.


Now up until you hit around 4th or 5th grade you really aren't told that other countries are free.

YOu are just otld you are blessed to live in the land of the free.

So for a moment it seems like even canada is an opressive dictatorship.


From that point on you are guilted into loving your country.

You are fed preconcieved notions about how if you don't like it here you can go to N. Korea where you have no freedom what so ever.

Or they call you a pinko commie bastard when your only 10 years old (like I was)

Teachers tend to lean their bias into their education by making lesson plans and asking the children questions that a geared to make America stand out more than is necassary.

When you learn american revolution you learn about how opressive britain was and how free we are.

They never tell you about the Tringal Slave Trade or the middle passage, they never tell you about the genocide carried out on native americans

THe opression and domination of mexicans. THe US's bad dealings in south america , africa, and asia.

All history is EUrocentric and Amerocentric

[Al Khabir]

I would say love for you country and wanting to improve it is one of the prime factors necessary for the socialist state. On the other hand it becomes especially dangerous when children are taught that "capitalism is great, it is why you are free. You can thank McDonalds restaurant for your freedom".

[Lardlad95]

Quote: from Al Khabir on 10:56 pm on June 8, 2003
I would say love for you country and wanting to improve it is one of the prime factors necessary for the socialist state. On the other hand it becomes especially dangerous when children are taught that "capitalism is great, it is why you are free. You can thank McDonalds restaurant for your freedom".

People should love their country of their own free will, not through conditioning


even if it's conditioning to love socialism

[Dreadnaht1]

Nationalism and pride are truly dangerous things. No matter what nation you live in or at whatever time period it is, you should question everything about a state. You should question why things are the way they are and why things happen the way they happen -- constantly and with great scrutiny.

If this is not done then a sense of blind pride and nationalism will arise leading to corruption and something not unsimiliar of the current U.S. Government.

-dREaD

[Iepilei]

truth be told, people don't care how things work as long as their working. in america, so much pride is placed on our 'past victories'.

we're taught our nation is great, and that we're free. we have this glossy image on how we've fought oppression and tyranny. you hear only the positives. you hear nothing of the negative.

[peaccenicked]

An important reminder that it is not all embracing
http://www.rense.com/general38/18.htm

[Al Khabir]

I agree with you that people should not be conditioned to love thier country, but I think a sense of pride in your nations acheivements and a love for the people of your nation is important. I think that your comments about questioning what the nation does is more relevant to government and the ruling parties. After all it is possible to love America and the american people but hate the imperialists and the propaganda.

[Socialsmo o Muerte]

El Marko....

I'm just picking holes, but who doesn't know the Soviet Union existed?!?

I think if someone is unaware that the USSR existed, that is down to them, probably not the capitalist 'brainwashing' you speak of.

[Lardlad95]

Quote: from Al Khabir on 7:19 pm on June 9, 2003
I agree with you that people should not be conditioned to love thier country, but I think a sense of pride in your nations acheivements and a love for the people of your nation is important. I think that your comments about questioning what the nation does is more relevant to government and the ruling parties. After all it is possible to love America and the american people but hate the imperialists and the propaganda.


Oh I agree totally I love the fuck out of America

not because we are a superpower

but because this is my home and it has more potential than any other nation


I love the people here dispite all their flaws


I'm just saying those people who love this place for the wrong reasons piss me off

[sglb]

Yeah, everyone should be taught to love their country. The problem is, people often aren't taught the facts. If people love their country and know its flaws, they can help to solve these problems. If they love their country based on myths, many people ignore the problems of a corrupt leader, like Bu$h, and wars start, like Iraqi 'Freedom.'

[Al Khabir]

I totally agree, except that I doubt America has the most potential (except in the apocalypse department) when compared to Europe, which is the centre of western culture and has a far higher population.