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Noam Chomsky – Manufacturing Consent
This week I’ll talk about the Kraken playbook that’s all over the media – no, it’s not about Squid Game, but it’s equally terrifying.
The Old Kraken:
In the 18th Century, European maritime trade was at an all-time-high bringing goods from Asia and Africa. The seas were rough, there were pirates and greedy sailors, causing cargo to be lost or stolen. To answer to their customers, sailors told tales of a giant squid-like sea monster that wrecked their ships, stole their goods or steered them off-course. By doing so, sailors wouldn’t be held accountable for the losses and could even claim for insurance. Alas, the Kraken was invented by sailors to hide their incompetence and/or greed. Besides, it’s way more heroic to have survived a “Kraken attack” and live to tell the tale. With modern technology, sailors can’t use the Kraken excuse anymore. Except we still do, in another shape and form.
The New Kraken:
The modern-day Kraken lives in the sea of information (or misinformation). Governments, corporations, big institutions are the sailors using the media to tell tall tales and influence the news narrative. Often creating an enemy / target to push an agenda: “It’s Us vs Them” They would blame a country, ideology, religion or people group to demonise them so that the public would accept their own incompetence / greed. (ie. mishandling of Covid-19, going to war for oil). Plus, news stories like these generate more clicks, and more clicks = more cash.
The Kraken is alive and well, with its tentacles stretching far and wide many outlets. Stay curious, take closer looks and question narratives. Just remember, if the news story angers or frightens you, that’s because it’s designed to.
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