The Power of Repeated Promotion - Beware of the "Goebbels Effect"

Discussing the Goebbels Effect and Its Prevention#

"A lie repeated a thousand times will not become the truth, but if a lie is repeated a thousand times and not allowed to be punctured, many people will take it as the truth." Some say this statement was not made by Goebbels himself; however, it accurately depicts his propaganda methods. Even today, the Goebbels Effect continues to thrive in various forms of propaganda. The rapid development of internet technology has further facilitated this effect, and in the face of overwhelming information filtered through big data, we may easily fall into the "brainwashing" trap if we are not careful. Therefore, it is particularly important to explore the origins, manifestations, and prevention strategies of the Goebbels Effect.

I. The Origins and Impact of the Goebbels Effect#

The Goebbels Effect, also known as the "illusion of truth effect," is named after Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi Minister of Propaganda. Despite being physically disabled, this PhD from Heidelberg University possessed a highly provocative language ability and extreme brainwashing propaganda techniques, earning him the titles of "genius of propaganda" and "the voice of the Nazis" from Hitler.

Goebbels believed that through continuous repetition, one could gradually convince people of any lie. He particularly emphasized the accumulation of psychological suggestion in shaping group beliefs. In his speeches, he repeatedly instilled extreme racist ideologies, such as "You are insignificant; your nation is everything to you," and promoted the "natural righteousness of the Aryan race." This simplistic and crude label-style propaganda greatly stirred public emotions, leading the masses to identify with his views.

He was well-versed in the art of incitement, using patriotic songs, repetitive slogans, uniformity in parades, and meticulously designed rituals to create a hypnotic effect. In this process, blind patriotism, aggression, and emotional release were gradually stimulated, guiding the German populace to accept extreme nationalist ideas such as "racial purity."

Before Germany's blitzkrieg on Poland, Goebbels spread false information through Nazi newspapers and broadcasts, creating the illusion that "Poland is about to attack Germany." His core strategy was to fabricate lies with concise and powerful language and to embed them in people's minds through constant repetition. In this way, lies transformed into "truth."

Why do lies spread? On one hand, ordinary people are busy making a living and lack the time to deeply understand and analyze current events; on the other hand, in an authoritarian regime, information sources are singular and lack diverse voices, which can mislead even intelligent individuals. As the saying goes: "Material monopoly makes people poor, while information monopoly makes people ignorant." In authoritarian societies, the two "antidotes" of truth and logic are often strictly prohibited. Ignorance is not innate; it is more a result of human construction.

II. The Current Manifestations of the Goebbels Effect#

With the development of communication studies, the Goebbels Effect has not only been studied in depth but has also been widely applied in advertising, media, and self-media communication. For example, when we hear phrases like "What to drink if you're afraid of getting heat" or "What happens if you get onychomycosis" or "No gifts for the New Year, just send gifts..." we often reflexively think of standard answers. This phenomenon indicates that we have been subtly influenced by repeated suggestions.

Research shows that the effects of suggestion vary from person to person: children are more easily suggested than adults, women are more easily influenced than men, people are more easily guided when tired or in a hypnotic state, and individuals with lower education levels are also more susceptible to suggestion. While these characteristics may be relatively harmless in advertising, they can have far-reaching negative impacts in other areas.

Some unscrupulous self-media bloggers and "pseudo-historical" propagators exploit the Goebbels Effect to fool the public and achieve ulterior motives. They are well aware of the power of emotional manipulation, spreading extreme views through labeling and inciting opposing emotions. For instance, the populism they promote divides "us" and "them" with slogans like "Those not of my kind must have different hearts," creating stereotypes. They then propose and amplify pseudo-issues, such as "Where is the center of civilization's origin?" to force audiences to take sides. Once someone attempts to transcend their position and focus on facts, they are labeled as "traitors."

These individuals are also adept at creating sensationalist headlines, such as "Newton is a descendant of the Ming Dynasty royal family," "The Declaration of Independence inherited Confucian thought," and "Aristotle's name comes from the Yongle Encyclopedia," among other absurd claims. These exaggerated contents provoke emotional reactions, increasing the attention and spread of the information, drawing more people into the fray.

III. How to Prevent the Goebbels Effect#

In the face of the far-reaching impact of the Goebbels Effect, how can we avoid being brainwashed?

Recognize Propaganda Tactics: Knowing oneself and the enemy is essential to remain clear-headed.
- Inciting Hatred: Propagandists often exploit feelings of hatred, subtly slandering certain races, nations, or religions to incite hostility and anger among the masses.
- Appealing to Vanity: By flattering or mocking, they satisfy or threaten the audience's self-esteem, such as saying "Smart people all know..." or "Only fools wouldn't understand..." to guide people to agree with a certain viewpoint.
- Slogan-like Language: Slogans are often vague and emotional, making them easily accepted by the public. For example, "The motherland is supreme" or "Give me liberty or give me death," but these slogans often hide complex issues that require deeper investigation. As Churchill said, "A simple message is enough to mobilize millions of ordinary people for a peaceful goal to engage in war." Propagandists excel at using people's emotions and symbolic symbols, such as flags and salutes, to further incite blind following.
Maintain Rational Thinking: In the face of overwhelming information, it is crucial to remain calm and avoid being swayed by emotions. Learn to analyze the sources of information and assess their authenticity and logic, especially remaining vigilant against extreme or exaggerated viewpoints.
Broaden Information Channels: Avoid obtaining information from a single source; strive to understand different perspectives from multiple angles. By reading diverse books and newspapers, watching documentaries and news reports from different viewpoints, one can form a more comprehensive understanding.
Enhance Critical Thinking: Continuously learn, enrich your knowledge base, and strengthen your analytical and discernment abilities. Knowledge and logic are the best weapons against false information.
Increase Self-Awareness: Understand your values, beliefs, and potential biases, and be wary of others exploiting these weaknesses to influence your judgment. At the same time, maintain an independent personality and avoid easily following the crowd.

In an era of information explosion, the influence of the Goebbels Effect is ubiquitous. We must remain vigilant at all times, using rational thinking, broadening our horizons, enhancing our understanding, and strengthening our independent consciousness to safeguard our minds. Only in this way can we avoid being misled by various "brainwashing" techniques and false information, allowing us to make correct judgments and choices. This is not only a protection for ourselves but also a safeguard for social truth and freedom.