(aka How to Invent Crimes and Persecute People)
- Think of some terms – almost any terms will do. It’s OK if they sound slightly wacky on first hearing. In semiotic terminology, these are your ‘signifiers’.
- Think of some things you dislike and/or people you consider a threat to your interests, individually or collectively. In the language of semiotics, they will be your ‘signifieds’.
- Link the signifier/s you’ve selected with your chosen signified/s
- Ensure plenty of people, prominent in the mass media, start using the same signifiers to connote signifieds you want to revile.
- (Here’s the best bit) Some of the people you most dislike, whom you nominated as signifieds of your reviled signifiers, may start using the same very signifiers to describe themselves. Help this process along…
- Orchestrate moves to criminalize and systematically harass anyone you choose to brand with your most hated signifiers. (Now you’re really cooking with gas!)
A Pictorial Representation of Media Relations: to be safe, cover all bases
Enjoy!
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NB: In theory, anyone can play this game.
Etymology, fairness, rationality and logical consistency are not relevant considerations.
However, substantial influence within and over the media is a prerequisite for semiotic success in modern societies.
These days, there are at least six bases to cover…
