Anti-Propaganda League

If you want to take action, check out this guide. If you have groups or organizations to add to this list, please add them in the comments. https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/action-guide

Action Guide — Gaslit Nation Get a Guide. Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story by Martin Luther King Jr. is an essential guide to self-management, managing others, and building teams. This inspirational case study of resistance, written by a young MLK after successfully leading the Montgomery Bus Boycott, shows how smart...

Another organization working to dispel misinformation and disinformation:

Climate Disinformation Database...
https://www.desmog.com/climate-disinformation-database/

Climate Disinformation Database Welcome to DeSmog’s Climate Disinformation Database, where you can browse our extensive research on the individuals and organizations that have helped to delay and distract the public and our elected leaders from taking needed action to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and fight global warming.

Here's a free course that may be of interest to you &/or someone you know! Check it out!...
"The University of Alberta’s free online critical thinking and science literacy course to help people differentiate science from pseudoscience"



"After completing this course, you will be able to:

*Recognize that science is a systematic approach to evidence, differentiate science from common sense and intuition, recognise bias, and discuss how Indigenous wisdom can inform and complement the scientific method.

*Differentiate between science, pseudoscience, fake science, fraudulent science, and explain what makes pseudoscience both attractive and dangerous.

*Think critically when presented with new information, explain the difference between correlation and causation, identify unfalsifiable hypotheses, and apply a critical thinking framework as an approach to skepticism.

*Differentiate the scientific method from critical thinking frameworks, generate null and alternative hypotheses, define and measure variables, and apply the appropriate research design to a given situation.

*Differentiate peer-reviewed primary literature from mainstream media, and describe the utility of statistics for scientists and peer review

*Evaluate reporting of scientific findings in the media and identify media tactics that bias public understanding by misrepresenting interpretations of scientific findings

Course Prerequisites:
There are no prerequisites, but students are encouraged to enroll in this course with an open mind. This course is aimed at anybody who has an interest in science or who wants to better understand which news stories, social media posts, or theories they can trust. The material is equivalent to a first-year university-level course, but is useful for any member of the general public who interacts with science through the media, school, work, or even products they use. General science students or those entering a science degree will find this course particularly useful."

https://www.ualberta.ca/admissions-programs/online-courses/science-literacy.html

Science Literacy | University of Alberta We are often told not to believe everything we read online or see on TV—but how do we tell the difference between sensationalized statistics and a real scientific study? Learn how to spot sound science with our new online course in Science Literacy.

✅ Be a champion for good science in your own networks .. check out "SCIENCE UP FIRST"

"... they share "the best available science in creative ways to stop the spread of misinformation."

TOGETHER AGAINST MISINFORMATION
"ScienceUpFirst is a national [..Canadian..] initiative that works with a collective of independent scientists, researchers, health care experts and science communicators. We share the best available science in creative ways to stop the spread of misinformation."

They -
* share the best available science
* have regular conversations with their coalition of experts to keep on top of the latest science.
* always check the source, read past the headline, and look for the scientific consensus.
* have all posts vetted by experts before being published.
* present information in creative ways
* value diversity, humour, art, wordplay, and storytelling.
* understand how social media works.
* make content that is useful, accessible, and shareable.
* collaborate with partners in the public, private, nonprofit, and community sectors.
* want to meet people where they are.
…to stop the spread of misinformation.
* follow best practices in science communication.
* track trends in misinformation and listen to what questions people are asking.
* create posts that can be proactive, emphasizing good science and public health messages. They also create posts that are reactive, addressing a particular myth or falsehood spreading online.

https://www.scienceupfirst.com/

#ScienceUpFirst - Together Against Misinformation in Canada Together Against Misinformation in Canada

How to SUBMIT materials that ARE or MAY BE 🔥PROPAGANDA🔥 for discussion on APL

✅ take a screenshot of your topic

✅deface the image (ie. image below= red"X")

✅ upload this image along with your post commentary

✅ always provide some commentary with your posts ie. explaining why you think it is or is not propaganda, your question(s) about the material, etc.

✅ provide relevant link(s) within your commentary (not in the image) so others can check out the source(s) easily

Thank you!
💖 From your
Admin Team

Wondering if you are reading actual science based material or is it pseudoscience propagada?

Check out the "11 Characteristics of Pseudoscience" to help you spot the signs!

https://thinkingispower.com/11-characteristics-of-pseudoscience/

11 Characteristics of Pseudoscience Throughout most of our history, humans have sought to understand the world around us. Why do people get sick? What causes storms? How can we grow more

The photo below is from a post made on social media. It shows 2 pics from a Teen magazine.

Here are some comments people have made about the post-
* "It’s straight up communist propaganda."
* "Nah, the titles may have come from 2 different copy writers."
* "Perhaps no one bothered to access background material on Castro."
* "Maybe a person had negative personal feelings about Rumsfeld."
* "Well propaganda or not these 2 people are old as dust to a teenager's world & they only appear as something from a time in history way before them. So if they can't relate to it it can't really be propaganda, can it?"

Let's go a step further, as the post isn't really dirrctly about the magazine, is it?

What was the intended message of the person(s) who initially found the pics and then posted them side by side?
- pro-Castro/pro-Cuba/pro-communism propaganda
- anti-war & anti-war crimes propaganda
- anti-american propaganda
- anti- the teen magazine?
- something else?

Have fun but, as always, be kind to each other!

ONE FORM OF PROPAGANDA IS-
THE BANDWAGON APPEAL

"The bandwagon appeal is put to use when you want your audience to feel like they’re missing out, they need to be a part of an experience, or they are on the losing side of a particular battle. It’s peer-pressure, really.
Advertisers use it all the time..."

Here's a short (2 min read) article to learn a bit more about Bandwagon Appeal Propaganda and how to avoid their logical fallacies!

See if you can find other examples of Bandwagon Appeals and pop them into the comments!

https://www.writerspulse.org/forms-of-propaganda-the-bandwagon-appeal/

Forms Of Propaganda: The Bandwagon Appeal – The Writer's Pulse Forms Of Propaganda: The Bandwagon Appeal April 22, 2009by Rob Schwarz2 min read Here’s an anecdote: “Hey,” said Jimmy, “I don’t want to go to school today. Everyone’s skipping class!” “And if everyone jumped off a bridge, you’d jump too, right?” said his mother, “Right?!” Th...

Here's the interesting background story on the two photos of children that sparked a Cold War propaganda feud in 1961.

It's important to be aware of & find out the backstories, influencers & intent behind the pictures and memes you see ... even more so in today's times!

https://www.vox.com/22557696/brazil-life-poverty-1961-propaganda-feud

These photos sparked a Cold War propaganda feud In 1961, Life magazine photographed systemic poverty in Brazil. One Brazilian magazine responded with a similar report — featuring photos of New York City.

“If a lie is only printed often enough, it becomes a quasi-truth, and if such a truth is repeated often enough, it becomes an article of belief, a dogma, and men will die for it.”
— "The Crown in a Life" book by Isa Blagden, 1869.
------------------------

Excerpts from the article linked below:
* "Truth is a precarious thing, not because it doesn’t objectively exist, but because the incentives to warp it can be so strong. It’s up to each of us to seek it out."

* "This is how the illusory truth effect works: we all have a tendency to believe something is true after being exposed to it multiple times. The more times we’ve heard something, the truer it seems. The effect is so powerful that repetition can persuade us to believe information we know is false in the first place."

Ready to learn more about the Illusory Truth Effect? Take a boo at the article in the link!

https://fs.blog/2020/02/illusory-truth-effect/

The Illusory Truth Effect When a “fact” tastes good and is repeated enough, we tend to believe it, no matter how false it may be. Understanding the illusory truth effect can keep us from being bamboozled.

Did you ever wonder -"What IS propaganda?"

Several authors have developed concise definitions of propaganda over the years.

Take a boo at some of them (link below) and comment back on which ones you think are the best (&/or the worst) definitions & why.

Have you a different definition of propaganda you think is the very best? & why?

(I'm thinking Marlin 2013 is very relevant to today's times.)

* Most importantly, how would YOU define propaganda if you were explaining about it to a friend?

Looking forward to your thoughts!

https://publish.illinois.edu/mirasotirovic/whatispropaganda

What is Propaganda? | - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign What is Propaganda? Propaganda is the management of collective attitudes by the manipulation of significant symbols. (Lasswell, 1927 p. 627) A consistent, enduring effort to create or shape events to influence the relations of the public to an enterprise, idea or group. (Bernays, 1928, p. 52 in 2005...

How to Spot Fake News

* Consider the Source - Click away from the story to investigate the site, its mission and its contact info.

* Read Beyond - Headlines can be outrageous in an effort to get clicks. What's the whole story?

* Check the Author - Do a quick search on the author. Are they credible? Are they real?

* Supporting Sources? - Click on those links. Determine if the info given actually supports the story.

* Check the Date - Reposting old news stories doesn't mean they're relevant to current events.

* Is it a Joke? - If it is too outlandish, it might be satire. Research the site and author to be sure.

* Check your Biases - Consider if your own beliefs could affect your judgment.

* Ask the Experts - Ask a librarian or consult a fact-checking site.

(Infographic source: (PDF FILE)
https://blogs.ifla.org/lpa/files/2017/01/How-to-Spot-Fake-News.pdf)

From SFU- research assistance: about fake news

* how to spot fake news in 8 simple steps
* try a quiz
* watch a video
* tips for interpreting breaking news
* more resources
* more about how to spot fake news
* fake news infographic

https://www.lib.sfu.ca/help/research-assistance/fake-news

How to spot fake news: Identifying propaganda, satire, and false information | SFU Library On this page How to spot fake news in eight simple steps Try a quiz Watch a video Tips for interpreting breaking news Further resources More about the How to Spot Fake News infographic How to spot fake news in eight simple steps How to spot fake news in eight simple steps (text version)Consider the....

Love this little guy! I dreamed him and am making him and what he stands for a reality. The work we started here will be moved to a new home. Stay tuned!

An unpleasant but necessary read

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/10/smears-against-biden-dont-need-make-any-sense/616824/

You’re Not Supposed to Understand the Rumors About Biden To raise doubts about the Democratic nominee, right-wing-media smears don’t even need to make sense.

BIG NEWS FOLKS! As many of you might know. Facebook's crackdown on qAnon pages and groups, mistakenly took down the Q Madness group as well. We noticed in the meantime, that another anti Q group has just updated their group's logo, using the exact same on that Q Madness had (different admins, different page). So, we've decided to join forces with Q Madness and they are now part of the Anti-Propaganda League! We will be updating our logo to reflect this change as well! More changes to come!

What are yours?
https://yourbias.is/

24 biases stuffing up your thinking Cognitive biases make our judgments irrational. This website helps you identify some of the most common biases and how to avoid falling victim to them.

Become a Propaganda Analyst.
https://propagandacritic.com/

Propaganda Analysis — Home Page — Propaganda Critic Propaganda analysis for people of all ages. Resist propaganda. Fight back against fake news, bots, and trolls. Cite this academic source in your papers.

Facebook doesn’t protect our privacy and is on the wrong side of history... so our group has expanded. The AntiPropagandaLeague is now not only in FB, but also on MeWe and Reddit. Our discussion will be focused on Reddit. Please join us:

https://www.reddit.com/r/AntiPropagandaLeague/

Anti Propaganda League to promote truth and education • r/AntiPropagandaLeague The Anti Propaganda League's purpose is to help dispel myths, lies and incorrect assumptions, with science, education and truth.

Hey! Join our new Reddit sub @ r/AntiPropagandaLeague. https://old.reddit.com/r/AntiPropagandaLeague/

Come help us start the conversation!

Anti Propaganda League to promote truth and education • r/AntiPropagandaLeague The Anti Propaganda League's purpose is to help dispel myths, lies and incorrect assumptions, with science, education and truth.

This article is almost four years old but the author had is finger on the pulse of society.

https://religiondispatches.org/trickle-down-metaphysics-and-the-dawn-of-a-trumpian-new-age/

Trickle-Down Metaphysics and the Dawn of a Trumpian New Age The complex of American individualism and optimism encompasses both prosperity gospel Christians and California yogis, who may often have more in common than they realize.

QAnon – A Statement from KidSafe Foundation:

"The conspiracy theory and cult movement known as QAnon is attempting to hijack the good names of organizations leading the fight against child s*xual abuse and s*x trafficking. We cannot let this happen.

QAnon followers preach that a cabal of powerful people within government, business, academia and media are seeking world domination while engaging in child s*x trafficking, pe******ia, cannibalism, and satanic sacrifice. To advance their agenda, QAnon followers have adopted a propaganda tactic that demands an immediate response from all of us in the field.

QAnon promoters are parasites. To grow their footprint, gain credibility, and spread misinformation, they associate their message of hate and bigotry with well-known, well-regarded organizations—specifically those working to end child s*xual abuse and s*x trafficking. That strategy threatens to diminish our identities, tarnish our reputations and harm our good works.

The problem is deepening. Many of our supporters are unknowingly re-distributing QAnon messages embedded within posts that appear to be straightforward statements against pe******ia and trafficking. We must speak out strongly against this. Just as education is the most powerful means we have to prevent child s*x abuse and trafficking, education will be our most powerful weapon against the threat QAnon presents. All of us working in the field must join together and speak out loudly.

To learn more about QAnon and its attempt to co-opt our good works and organizations, visit the links below..."

https://kidsafefoundation.org/topics/qanon-a-statement-from-kidsafe-foundation/

QAnon - A Statement from KidSafe Foundation | KidSafe Foundation Not in Our Name!! Be Careful What You Are Sharing! The conspiracy theory and cult movement known as QAnon is attempting to hijack the good names of organizations leading the fight against child s*xual abuse and s*x trafficking. We cannot let this happen. QAnon followers preach that a cabal of powerf...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yA-FCxFQNHg&feature=youtu.be

How Disinformation Is Taking Over the World | NYT Opinion Episode 3, Operation InfeKtion: Governments from Pakistan to Mexico to Washington are woefully unequipped to combat disinformation warfare. Eastern European ...