Political gaslighting and the machinery that imposes the narrative
Gaslighting has become politics' wildcard: some denounce a manipulation machine while others use the very same trick. An analysis of the narrative war.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Political gaslighting: everyone accuses, no one convinces
Gaslighting is the wildcard of the moment in Spanish politics. One camp claims there is a gigantic apparatus —the education system, the media, bots and fanatics— designed to impose a narrative. And the curious thing is that those denouncing the trick use exactly the same method against their opponents.
Anglicism or analytical tool?
The expression is not new. In Spain people have always said «luz de gas» (gaslight), and the loanword from English adds little beyond the illusion of sophistication. What has changed is the scale: never have such massive communication platforms been so tightly controlled by a single story.
The gigantic apparatus: conspiracy theory or diagnosis?
The idea that power constructs reality at will is a classic thesis. The problem is that the accusation is hurled in every direction: the supposed «reactionary international» would have its mirror in the pogre machinery. If everyone manipulates, the concept becomes meaningless.
At this rate, gaslighting will stop meaning anything. Or perhaps, as some suggest, that is precisely the intention: to wear down language until it can no longer name reality. If so, the strategy is working.
Gaslighting is the wildcard of the moment in Spanish politics. One camp claims there is a gigantic apparatus —the education system, the media, bots and fanatics— designed to impose a narrative. And the curious thing is that those denouncing the trick use exactly the same method against their opponents.
Anglicism or analytical tool?
The expression is not new. In Spain people have always said «luz de gas» (gaslight), and the loanword from English adds little beyond the illusion of sophistication. What has changed is the scale: never have such massive communication platforms been so tightly controlled by a single story.
The gigantic apparatus: conspiracy theory or diagnosis?
The idea that power constructs reality at will is a classic thesis. The problem is that the accusation is hurled in every direction: the supposed «reactionary international» would have its mirror in the pogre machinery. If everyone manipulates, the concept becomes meaningless.
At this rate, gaslighting will stop meaning anything. Or perhaps, as some suggest, that is precisely the intention: to wear down language until it can no longer name reality. If so, the strategy is working.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (21 replies).
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