POLITICAL OPTICS

Everything in the political world is scripted. When Kier Starmer hugs Vladimir Zelenskyy on the steps of Downing Street and Presidents Mertz and Macron ‘join in’, remember it is ALL about ‘optics’. The image promoted is ‘we are with you’.

Our lives are now shaped more by media ‘massaging’ than ever. As communication technology has advanced we have a multitude of platforms that compete for attention. The most successful are those that are brief and set to appealing music and cater for immediate gratification. They tap into ‘feelings’ rather than reason. It is called ‘dumbing down’.

You cannot think seriously if you are unable to express yourself verbally or in writing. Without basic critical skills you enter reality crippled. It is like diving into deep water being unable to swim.

If you can’t structure your thoughts, you cannot build on them and develop an argument and are open to swallowing emotional propaganda. This is why Messrs Starmer and Co. ‘hug’ Mr Zelenskyy. The message is clear. You don’t have to understand ‘why’. They ensnare you in an emotional trap that bi-passes reason and argument.

This is the arena of the ‘behavioural scientist’. Every Downing Street administration has them. They were deployed during the outbreak of Covid. With discrete and frequently non-verbal communication, they ‘nudge’ people to conform with whatever message is being given.

Edward Bernays was the nephew of the ‘father of psychology’ Sigmund Freud. He was responsible for co-ordinating propaganda against the ‘evil Hun’ during the First World War and pioneered ‘advertising’, correctly reasoning that it was essentially propaganda. He re-christened it ‘Public Relations’ to make it more acceptable and founded an industry. It is about selling things – including ideas - to ‘manufacture consent’ and ensure political obedience.

The last thing the supporters of Zelenskyy want is people to look critically at what is really happening. As the war in Ukraine has proceeded what has defined it is a dearth of accurate information and a need to sell the conflict seductively as ‘good versus evil’.

As in all fairy tales, the good party must win, and the evil party must lose. Maintaining public support from taxpayers is crucial. The reporting concentrates exclusively on the evil inflicted on innocents by the opposition and its alleged failure on the battlefield. Those who are paying attention know it is a fabrication.

Corruption is ingrained in Ukraine. The noted US journalist Seymour Hersh exposed it years ago. Our politicians have tolerated it reasoning that supporting the fight against Russia was paramount and so they continue to send mountains of taxpayer’s money for Ukraine to steal.

The media have ignored it because it stretches right up to Zelenskyy, Starmer’s knight in shining armour. He must be beyond reproach otherwise the fairy tale collapses.

The touchy-feely body language in the world can’t hide the reality of defeat. In response, European politicians are becoming more desperate and authoritarian. They turn a blind eye to theft and promote war. Don’t fall for it.