From reading the research into ISIS I find them extremely smart. Everything they are doing allows them to connect with the younger generation, who are more capable of being swayed. In addition the post they put out and their command of social media gives them the appearance of a functioning entity with a government that is acting in the best interests of people. Particularly the magazine to me was striking. The branding and presentation of it gives the image that it was put together by professional people, who are well informed about what they are talking about. Between all of this they have established an image of credibility that is believable. If I were uninformed on the subject and I started looking at the materials they are circulating I would believe them. I always assumed that organizations like this didn't really go anywhere, because they didn't understand how to market or communicate with people who held different opinions and had different experiences than themselves. This proves that these types of organizations have evolved with the modern age and now demonstrate an understanding of how to convert not only people, but mass amounts of people to their opinions.
It's a harrowing statement. It scares me.
Your reflection is: It's scary. I agree. The idea is horrifying. But what about Atlantic's argument that it isn't all that effective?
ReplyDeleteI disagree with it. These strategies are used all over the world as marketing weapons and they work. It's why companies do them. There isn't enough evidence to prove to me that they don't.
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