We just had an election in Brazil, and tension was in the air. It has been similar to the USA in 2020 – or, perhaps, worse in certain aspects. We still have to see how the elected president will take office. Both candidates utilized constant personal attacks and intense fear-based propaganda as a campaign strategy. And, as the Washington Post article title puts it: “Toxic politics is poisoning Brazil.”
One of the main components of fear-based propaganda is to purposefully incite fear by convincing us that we are in danger because of a powerful and evil enemy. So, for example, in the Brazilian political campaigns, there was fear of communism on one side and fascism on the other. On both sides, there was a suggestion that we would lose our power and freedoms as people if the other side won. And under these alarming narratives, two polarized forms of group-thinking have developed.
I will not compare candidates’ behaviors and evidence to defend one side or another as to which one is better or “righter” than the other. That is the opposite of my intention. Instead, I want to bring attention to how this kind of communication strategy is dangerous and hurtful and how we, perhaps, can avoid or minimize its impact on our personal life and possibly make more informed choices in future elections. In other words, I hope to empower the reader not to fall so easily into this powerful and potentially tragic propaganda trap.
What are the impacts of fear-based propaganda on our personal life?
Being in a recurrent state of fear increases our cortisol levels (stress hormones), impacting our physical and mental health. It affects our sleep, appetite, blood pressure, glucose and more. It can also increase anxiety, depression, headaches, memory problems, brain fog, and mood in general. Basically, being constantly bombarded by fearful messages is not good for our health.
Fear also makes us irritable, defensive and reactive, which impacts our relationships. Because of this constant underlying nervousness, we can lash out at loved ones for small things. And, as we often feel apprehensive, we can become more sensitive and suspicious of anyone, including people we used to trust, especially if they agree more with the narrative of the “enemy.” And, of course, at this point, most people know someone who doesn’t talk to someone because of a different political point of view.
Also, if we buy blindly into one of the narratives, we may vote for a candidate misled by a fake fear instead of voting to protect the values that are important to us.
This constant exposure to fearful news and propaganda impacts us individually and collectively in many ways. Sometimes it’s subtle; other times obvious. And I hope that bringing awareness to it can help you navigate it better.
Why do we fall into fear-based propaganda even when we suspect something is wrong?
Fear and group thinking are potent tools for propaganda. The nazis not only utilized these tools very well but also developed this propaganda strategy in modern times, taking advantage of the radio as a medium. Tragically, it was very successful. And that is why it is essential to become more aware of it.
Fear physiologically impairs us from thinking critically. When we become afraid, the executive part of our brain, responsible for complex thinking, doesn’t work well. And, instead of being reasonable thinkers, we become stuck in survival mode, more defensive and inclined to have a fight, fly or freeze reaction – even when it’s not necessary.
Also, when we are fearful, we seek ways to feel safe, and finding a sense of belonging is one way to achieve it. Therefore, being part of a group that thinks alike is a way of feeling protected. Consequently, we will defend our group, its leader, and its narrative to preserve our sense of safety.
In summary, when we are afraid, we cannot physiologically think clearly, and we may seek to belong to a group to feel safer. With our critical thinking impaired, we become more susceptible to being influenced by manipulative propaganda. It can reach the point that we unknowingly become a propagator of irrational and fake information. We genuinely believe the threat is real; therefore, we must spread the word to defend ourselves, our group and our “savior.” That is why we think the other side is stupidly blind, but our side is right – and vice versa. That is why intelligent people can also be locked and fooled into a particular misguided narrative.
Can we get out of this trap?
Getting out of this trap is difficult, but it’s possible.
But first, we need to recognize that it’s hard to deconstruct the story we have been telling ourselves. It’s hard to let go of the sense of knowing and safety that a particular narrative and group thinking has provided.
The propaganda gives us a fake comforting sensation of certainty and knowingness. It gives us easy thoughts, simple quotes and directions to pass forward. It guides into a comforting black & white thinking: I am right, they are wrong; I am good, they are evil. And, for our lazy and fearful brain, navigating a right-wrong narrative is much easier than analyzing society and politics’ complexity.
But, this type of propaganda and this discourse of “we are good, they are bad” can lead to violence and take us to dangerous extremes, as the Nazis have shown us. And, we can notice the increase in violence because of political discourse in the USA and Brasil. So, let’s claim back our ability to self-regulate, discern and use our access to information better.
How to get out of this trap?
In a fearful and polarized condition, it can be hard to consider that the other side may have good points because we are afraid of them. It’s hard to consider that we may see things incorrectly in certain aspects, and the “enemy” may have a better viewpoint. However, we need to open up for a friendly dialogue that aims for mutual understanding and collaboration.
As people, we generally want what is best for our families, communities, country and world. We may disagree about priorities or how to achieve them, but most of us want things to improve for our fellow humans. We are biologically wired to connect and collaborate. And we can do it in better ways than we have been doing.
To change this societal polarization that hurts everyone, first, we need to be more connected with ourselves. This sounds small, but it’s not. When we are disconnected from ourselves, our emotions and our body, we abuse ourselves and others. We also tolerate more abuse from others and towards others. We are more predisposed to be manipulated simply because we are disconnected.
How can we be more connected to ourselves?
By going in the opposite direction of fear.
If fear impairs our thinking and ability to connect with ourselves and others, we need to make an effort to move in the opposite direction. We need to move toward trust and curiosity – which will require courage to change direction.
Fear locks us in a rigid point of view and reactive behavior. Trust and curiosity bring more openness, playfulness and creativity to solve problems.
Being more connected with yourself is the base of a significant and sustainable positive change in your life and our society. The more people can connect from this more grounded place, the better we will be to connect and find better solutions for complex problems. The more we exercise trust and feeling good with ourselves, the less likely we will resonate with fear-based propaganda.
But, along with that, we need to learn more about the issues that are important to us. We can do it by dialoguing with people who think differently. Read books with broader views – instead of only gathering information from social media. Being curious and open to solving problems in new ways and collaboratively.
When we connect with ourselves, we can remember how powerful we can be. When we educate ourselves and connect to each other from a more loving and collaborative place, we will be way closer to the society we desire. Unfortunately, while we allow ourselves to be trapped in the fallacy of those in power – and who want to remain in power, we are giving our power away and perpetuating these hurtful dynamics.
Take your power back. Bring your loving, creative and trustful self to play and connect with others. When more and more of us do that, we will start the most profound and beautiful revolution.
Love over fear. People over profit.
Be kind to yourself and others.
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I am Iria Sebastião, MA Spiritual Life Coach. I bring the knowledge and skills of a licensed psychotherapist, life coach and intuitive healer to help you move from feeling lost, stuck or broken heart to creating the life you want.
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Interesting readings related to the topic:
(Confession: I haven’t read them all, but I had recommendations from friends)
Books:
- How We Change: (And Ten Reasons Why We Don’t) by Ross Ellenhorn
- The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion – by Jonathan Haidt
- Selling Hitler: Propaganda and the Nazi Brand by Nicholas O’Shaughnessy
Articles:
- The cannibal vs. the Satanist: Toxic politics is poisoning Brazil
- Joseph Goebbels’ Principles of Nazi Propaganda applied to Digital Marketing
Documentary:
