When we think of propaganda, we might think of wartime propaganda. There's that poster of Uncle Sam telling you to join the army that comes to mind.
Propaganda has been around for quite some time before the early 1900s, it just wasn't always called that.
Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines Propaganda as:
"Spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person."
It's still used all the time today. So we went to Reddit to see what the most ridiculous propaganda people have ever seen.
Redditor ospreysstuff asked:
"What is the absolute stupidest propaganda you have ever heard?"
Here's what Reddit had for us.
Anti-Trains
"I remember seeing an Anti Train Flyer from like the 1800s, said something like God didn't intend man to go faster than 20MPH. Or something along those lines."
- Elwalther21
"I recall reading that a report on the proposal for the first German railway suggested lining the route with a high board fence so that innocent bystanders would not be adversely affected by exposure to the sight of a train running as fast as 20-30 mph."
- steelgate601
"This feels like marketing, like how potatoes were popularised through the use of armed guards in fields."
- TheMania
"My high school history book said that a Prussian king ate a plate full of cooked potatoes in front of a crowd to prove that potatoes were a safe alternative for grain."
- Freezing_Wolf
Women shouldn't do anything.
"'Women shouldn't be allowed to vote because the stress of voting would cause them to become infertile.'"
- ss_00_14
"See also, 'Women shouldn't ride trains because the high speed will make their uteruses fly out.'"
- thewarnersisterDot
"See also: 'Women shouldn't be allowed to run marathons because all the running will cause their uteruses to fall out.'"
"This was in the 1960s, IIRC. Within living memory. Less than a lifetime ago."
- pbmcc88
Sporks from hell.
"'The spork is "the devil's utensil" because it is the amalgamation of the masculine fork and the feminine spoon and is trying to blur gender lines in society.'"
- -eDgAR-
"Man I wonder what that person thinks about knives."
- freemyboykaczynski
"'Stares at the pair of chopsticks. 'Which one of you is the fork?'"
- WolfgangVolos
Politician accused of witchcraft.
"There's a politician that was accused of witch craft a few years ago."
- Geepwriter
"Christine O'Donnell. She insisted 'I'm not a witch.'"
- JMW007
"That's what a witch would say."
- Syteron6
They want you to believe they're close.
"'Our company is a family.'"
- mythsofthevalley
"Our company is a family...a very toxic family."
- Seymour_John
"When I worked at Homedepot they had this monthly newsletter that came out called something like the Orange Apron that would get sent to your address. It was comically anti-union and with articles about employees pitching together to buy medical treatment for sick employees or volunteering off the clock in an Homedepot apron at a soup kitchen."
"It was a fun job but the magazine as look at our employees who don't have a living wage having to help each other out. Corporate and manager level I remember made a very good Salary with the jobs almost dangled above you to stay with no real chance at getting them."
- thecoolerllcoolJ
Conspiracy theories.
"JKF Jr. rising from the dead. WTF."
- 777lespaul
"Not only was he going to rise from the dead, he's also now a republican for some unknown reason. It's hilarious if you don't think about all the people who actually believed this."
- brownliquid
"He faked his death because his family didn't approve of him being a Republican. He was going to announce the reinstatement if Trump. Also, Elvis was coming back to give a concert."
- Myfourcats1
Alkaline water.
"Alkaline water is healthy for you, so better go buy some."
- erichmich
"Lemon infused alkaline water."
- outcastedOpal
"The stupidest selling scam water related thing I have heard is the one where 'water being oxidized means its old, which is bad.' Water is already oxidized, if its not, its not water because water is oxidized hydrogen."
- depressed_man1
"Everyone detests working from home so much and absolutely cannot wait to go back to the office full time...perpetrated by banks who are sh*tting themselves that commercial real estate might fall apart."
"I read this story in various forms in Canada two to three times a month. I have not met any of these people yet, virtually or otherwise."
- thewarnersisterDot
"America, land of empty industrial parks and full homeless encampments."
- shah357
"Don't forget the loads of articles about how much everyone adored commuting every day, especially on public transport! Yeah nah."
- tainkirrahe
These are very silly but real examples of propaganda. Like the JFK Jr. coming back from the dead episode, propaganda still works and had real consequences.
Be sure to really examine what you take in these days.
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