Hey what’s up Thinkers! Kathy Gibbens here…
Ok, let’s start off with a quick review of a fallacy we covered earlier this season, the Apple Polishing Fallacy. The Apple Polishing fallacy happens when someone offers excessive compliments or flattery to the other person instead of a good argument.
The question to ask yourself when you’re faced with the Apple Polishing Fallacy is this: “Are they using flattery to distract or avoid?”
If you want to review or hear more about this fallacy, go back & check out Episode 123.
Today’s episode is brought to you by my membership, Crazy Thinkers, where you will learn the SKILLS to be able to think well about anything! It includes Brain Cell University, which is a 10-week digital course that teaches you the skills of thinking in short video episodes, and it also helps you MASTER the top 30 fallacies we cover here in the podcast. You’ll also get Brain Gym, which is a monthly pdf I create that includes real-life content for you to use to have great conversations with your middle or high schooler. It’s not enough to just hear about the fallacies here on the podcast…to truly develop discernment, you need to practice them and I make it super easy to do just that with this resource! To learn more, go to filteritthroughabraincell.com/crazy. I’d love to have you join!
Alright, today we are continuing on with our miniseries on Propaganda Tactics and the tactic we’re covering is called Dog Whistle. The "dog whistle" propaganda tactic when someone speaks in “code” that sends a particular message or appeals to a specific audience without them having to come right out and say it. It involves using language, symbols, or phrases that have a hidden or secondary meaning that may only be understood by a certain group of people who share a particular ideology, belief, or bias.
The term "dog whistle" comes from actual dog whistles! Dog whistles are often used by dog trainers. They’re not like ordinary whistles, though…dog whistles are high-pitched and humans can’t hear them, but dogs can. So the idea behind this tactic is that, just like a high-pitched whistle that only dogs can hear, these messages are designed to reach a select group while remaining unnoticed or less apparent to others.
One simple example of this often happens among teens. They’ll often use specific words, emojis, phrases, etc. to communicate things with each other that their parents totally miss or don’t understand. For example:
1. Teens often use internet slang and emojis to convey subtle messages that their parents may not get. Memes can carry underlying messages or humor that is only fully appreciated by those familiar with the context. Hashtags on social media can serve as dog whistles by connecting posts to broader social or political movements. Song lyrics often contain coded messages or references to cultural and social issues. Some artists use their music to address topics like mental health, political issues, or identity, allowing listeners to connect with the message on a deeper level. Clothing, accessories, and symbols can convey hidden meanings. For example, certain clothing brands or logos may represent support for specific causes or ideologies, and I even recently learned that different color shoe laces communicate different meanings. It’s important to note that some coded messages can be light-hearted or humorous, while others may carry more significant social or political implications.
In politics, a politician might use coded language or phrases that appeal to a particular group of supporters without openly expressing controversial or divisive views. To the general audience, the message may seem innocent & general, but to those with a specific perspective, it sends a clear signal. In politics, the dog whistle tactic can be used to mobilize a support base, create a sense of belonging, or subtly advance a particular agenda without creating open confrontation or controversy. It often requires careful attention and interpretation to recognize, as Dog Whistles rely on implied or veiled meanings.
The problem behind the Dog Whistle Propaganda tactic is that it’s sneaky. Often, Dog Whistling, especially in politics or as it’s used for propaganda, is used to relate to the feelings that one people group has about another people group. It’s an emotional appeal, and it’s a sneaky way of emotionally manipulating people to agree with them or get them on their side.
Here’s a few examples of how people on both sides of the political aisle have been accused of Dog Whistling here in US politics: Republicans have been accused of Dog Whistling when they referred to President Obama by his full name, “Barack Hussein Obama”. The accusation was that by using his middle name, Husein, they were playing on people’s fear of Saddam Hussein, who was the president of Iraq, and trying to make people as afraid of Barack Obama as they were of Saddam Hussein. Now, on the other hand, Democrats have been accused of Dog Whistling when they use the term “midwestern” or “heartland”. The accusation is that democrats are using these terms to mean “white people” and they’re using this as a way to separate themselves from white people and relate more to minorities. These are just two small examples. The reality is, both sides use this tactic and it is wise for us to be aware of it so we can recognize it.
Question to ask yourself if you think someone is Dog Whistling is this: “Is there a deeper meaning here that they’re referring to?” *repeat*
Remember: When you learn HOW to think, you will no longer fall prey to those who are trying to tell you what THEY want you to think and it all starts with asking one simple question: “Is that really true?”
