The popular standard accepted version of early 20th century history gives Joseph Goebbles, Hitler's minister of propaganda the credit for “inventing” the Big Lie.
Supposedly JG was the first to discover and then deploy the Big Lie. G is reputed to have said that people will believe Big Lies more readily than small lies. And, JG is also given credit in this standard version of history for the discovery that if a statement is repeated often enough, no matter how ridiculous, absurd or insane it might be, people will tend to believe it.
For me, personally, giving Goebbles credit and assigning the shame and the blame to JG minister of propaganda for utilizing this strategy to confuse and indoctrinate the German people was the first thing that caused me to doubt the official standard accepted version of early 20th Century history.
Goebbels didn't discover or invent this strategy. Telling Lies, especially big fat juicy lies is as old as civilization. Repeating lies ad nauseum to confuse others is standard operating procedure SOP. Gaslighting. Shamans, tribal leaders, potentates, kings, queens, senators, presidents and emperors have been using this strategy to control “public opinion” for centuries.
Henry VIII convicted Thomas More of treason and had him beheaded as an enemy of the state because More refused, as a matter of conscience, to endorse Henry's assumption of religious authority in England. Many others who refused to endorse Henry's seizure of Church property were imprisoned and tortured, as well. If King Henry's subjects wouldn't go along with the “party line”, believe the lie, they paid severe penalties. This same scenario has been repeated before and since too many times to list here.
As a young person, in public school, I along with all other public school students were taught that Goebbels was an especially bad person because he used these techniques of subterfuge to help and support the Nazis, who brought Adolf Hitler to power. And, even now, it is risky to question this version of history. If I or anyone disputes that Goebbels was a terrible liar in the service of hateful racist Nazis they risk being ostracized. But, I have to ask, is it unacceptable to question this standard version of history because telling and repeating Lies is bad, or because of what was actually said? Since if I know, others must also know, that lying is SOP. And, IF repeating Lies in order to make others believe lies is a well known and obvious ploy to first intimidate, deceive and control people, that has been used throughout history by virtually thousands, neigh millions of people, why was Goebbels singled out for such extreme condemnation?
Goebbels as minister of propaganda did what anyone would do in his position. He slanted information in such a way that enhanced and supported Nazi beliefs. He edited out certain information and emphasized facts that supported his position. In modern parlance, that is referred to as SPIN.
What was new or unique about Goebbles was the communication technology he utilized. It was the use of sound amplification, radio and film, all new technologies, in the early 20th century, that made him so effective at controlling public opinion. Everyone lies. But, Goebbels stands out as an effective propagandist not because telling Lies and repeating Lies was anything new. Goebbels stands out because he was one of the first to use radio and film to broadcast and disseminate his message.
Besides, people lie to themselves. Chants and mantras are a form of persuasion that we use on ourselves. Repeat something enough times and it becomes true. The Hindus believe in order to manifest their desires they must simply repeat their need 105,000 times.
If Goebbels was EVIL for using radio and film and advertising to disseminate disinformation, telling BIG LIEs and repeating them endlessly, then how can others, like contemporary politicians and manufacturers who use radio, television and film, selling ideas and products to LIE, actually be any better than Goebbels? Are we to believe that it's OK to lie, just so long as you are not a Nazi? Nazi lies are bad but the lies other people tell are OK?
How many times have you seen an ad on TV or heard a jingle on the radio, promoting a product or an event, that you know was not true? I know I have experienced this sort of thing, frequently. I can turn on the radio or the TV any day at any time and within a matter of minutes I will hear things I know positively to be lies. If I continue to listen or view, I will see these lies repeated endlessly. Why? Because, the broadcasters KNOW that by repeating LIES, endlessly, people will tend to believe them. Goebbels didn't invent this technique. This is SOP Standard Operating Procedure. Caveat emptor. Buyer beware. Everyone lies. But, not everyone has their own radio or TV station, magazine or newspaper.
The purpose of advertising is to promote an idea or sell something. The idea does not have to be good or true. The product does not have to satisfy your needs or fulfill its purpose. It only has to be SOLD.
If Joseph Goebbels was EVIL, then so is everyone employed in radio, television and advertising. They will repeat their message as many times as it takes for you to believe it. Whether or not it's true is secondary. Therefore, you may have heard that JG and the Nazis were EVIL. In fact, you are not permitted to say or believe otherwise.
This is how I came to realize that the standard accepted (biased) version of early 20th century history is not true. It is a BIG FUCKING LIE. When I realized that I was being lied to about Goebbels it became obvious that I was being lied to about many other persons, facts and details. It's not a matter of whether or not I was lied to. I was lied to. The real question is: how BIG were the LIES?
