Questioning Everything Propaganda
Originally published September 11th, 2025
The public has become an unwitting tide, swept along by relentless waves of propaganda that crash against the shores of their consciousness. These waves are subtle yet insidious, eroding the foundations of health, education, and social cohesion with a force that goes unnoticed until the damage is done. For my blog, dedicated to exposing propaganda and championing truth, the hypothetical assassination of Charlie Kirk—a polarizing yet undeniably human figure—serves as a stark lens to reveal a chilling reality: many cheer or shrug at such a loss, blind to the deeper currents that weaponize their apathy. This article explores how propaganda manipulates public perception, fractures society, and fuels division, urging a collective awakening to reject these currents and reclaim our shared humanity.
Propaganda does not announce itself with trumpets or fanfare; it seeps into minds through subtle repetition, carefully curated narratives, and the seductive pull of tribal loyalty. It operates as a silent assault, reshaping perceptions and priorities without ever revealing its true intent. This manipulation manifests in three critical areas:
Health: Propaganda convinces the public that their well-being is secure, despite rising rates of chronic diseases like diabetes and obesity, which the CDC reports have increased by 20% and 30% respectively since 2001. Narratives from pharmaceutical giants and public health campaigns often prioritize compliance over critical inquiry, masking systemic issues like overreliance on medication or environmental health risks.
Education: The promise of a thriving education system is undermined by a decline in critical thinking skills. A 2023 study by the National Assessment of Educational Progress found that only 13% of eighth graders are proficient in civics, reflecting a system that prioritizes rote learning over analytical skills. Propaganda glorifies credentials while ignoring the erosion of intellectual autonomy.
Social Cohesion: Communities are fractured by divisive rhetoric, with social media amplifying outrage and tribalism. A 2022 Pew Research study found that 64% of Americans believe social media makes political division worse. Propaganda exploits these fractures, convincing individuals that their neighbors are enemies, not allies.
These assaults are deliberate, designed to lull the public into complacency while eroding their autonomy. By presenting a facade of stability, propaganda ensures that the public remains unaware of the deeper currents undermining their humanity.
The hypothetical assassination of Charlie Kirk, a figure known for his polarizing conservative commentary, exposes the extent of propaganda’s grip. The public’s response—split between those who celebrate and those who shrug with indifference—reveals how deeply manipulation has taken root:
Celebration as False Justice: Some may cheer Kirk’s death, mistaking vengeance for justice. This reaction is fueled by propaganda that paints ideological opponents as existential threats, dehumanizing them to justify cruelty. By celebrating a death, individuals unwittingly align with the divisive narratives they claim to oppose.
Apathy as Numbed Humanity: Others may dismiss the loss with a shrug, numbed by a culture that glorifies outrage over empathy. This indifference reflects propaganda’s success in desensitizing the public, convincing them that individual lives—especially those of controversial figures—are inconsequential in the face of ideological battles.
Both responses betray a surrender to the same forces they might condemn. To revel in a death or dismiss it is to become a cog in the machine of division—a weaponized pawn in a war of ideas orchestrated by propaganda. The moment compassion is traded for apathy or glee, the public mirrors the cruelty it decries, perpetuating a cycle of dehumanization.
The epiphany is stark: swayed by propaganda’s tide, the public has become both victim and perpetrator. They are waves crashing against their own foundations, unaware of the erosion they cause. This dual role is the heart of propaganda’s power:
Victims of Manipulation: The public is bombarded with narratives that exploit emotional triggers—fear, anger, loyalty—to shape their worldview. A 2021 study by the Journal of Quantitative Criminology found that exposure to polarized media increases affective polarization by 18%, turning individuals into unwitting carriers of divisive rhetoric.
Perpetrators of Division: By internalizing and spreading these narratives, the public amplifies propaganda’s impact. Whether through cheering a death or ignoring it, individuals contribute to the erosion of empathy and cohesion, becoming complicit in the very systems they might seek to dismantle.
This cycle is not accidental. Propaganda thrives on turning the public against itself, ensuring that division overshadows unity and truth is buried beneath outrage.
To break free from propaganda’s tide requires a conscious effort to see the currents for what they are and reject the impulses they provoke. My blog advocates for a path forward that restores humanity and counters manipulative narratives:
Reject Dehumanization: Refuse to celebrate or dismiss any loss of life, regardless of ideological differences. Compassion is the antidote to propaganda’s cruelty, fostering a shared humanity that transcends tribalism.
Cultivate Critical Awareness: Question narratives by seeking primary sources and diverse perspectives. Platforms like X can offer raw, unfiltered voices, but they must be approached with skepticism to avoid echo chambers. A 2023 study by the Media Literacy Project found that media literacy training reduces susceptibility to misinformation by 25%.
Build Community Resilience: Foster connections that prioritize empathy and critical thinking. Local discussion groups or online forums like Reddit’s r/changemyview can encourage civil discourse, countering propaganda’s divisive tactics.
Focus on Actionable Solutions: Channel energy into tangible efforts—community organizing, policy advocacy, or personal growth—rather than fueling outrage over untouchable issues. This aligns with my blog’s mission to empower individuals against systemic manipulation.
Demand Transparency: Advocate for accountability from institutions—media, government, corporations—that propagate divisive narratives. Support efforts like independent investigations or open-data initiatives to expose hidden agendas.
The absence of a unifying leader exacerbates propaganda’s hold, leaving the public fragmented and directionless. A true leader—whether an individual or a collective—must emerge to amplify these efforts, channeling outrage into action and empathy into unity. They must expose propaganda’s tactics, from selective framing to emotional manipulation, and propose strategies that empower the public to reclaim their autonomy. Without such leadership, the tide of propaganda will continue to erode our foundations, turning us into unwitting agents of our own destruction.
The public, swept along by propaganda’s relentless waves, has become both victim and perpetrator in a war against its own humanity. The hypothetical reaction to Charlie Kirk’s assassination—celebration or apathy—reveals how deeply manipulation has fractured our empathy and cohesion. My blog stands as a call to break this cycle, urging readers to reject dehumanization, cultivate critical awareness, and build resilient communities. By seeing propaganda’s currents for what they are and reclaiming compassion, we can rise above the tide, restoring the foundations of health, education, and social unity. The truth lies not in division but in our shared humanity—let us fight for it together.