I’ll do this in English as what I’m going to bring up is an international phenomenon. My links will be to Swedish sources however.
The concept of Fear, uncertainty and doubt (FUD) is well-known in all kinds of popularity contests with smear-campaigns and whatnot. My first cognitive recognition of FUD is probably related to Microsoft’s bashing of Linux.
Microsoft Windows, being a technologically and developmentally inferior operating system, must claim their right to market domination somehow. Having established a monopoly like situation in computing, Microsoft has no pressure to innovate. People buy their products “because that’s what everyone has”.
In the same way, this (philosophically) nonsensical argument is being used to defame Linux. Microsoft repeats the phrase “Everyone’s not using it, then it must be bad right?!” in variations to establish fear, uncertainty and doubt in a competing product.
The same rhetorical retardation is used in politics as well. Currently the Pirate Party in Sweden is gaining attention and is believed to reach a mandate in the European Parliament election in June. Eyes are on us and other political views are raising their eyebrows.
So what does one do? Spread FUD of course!
“A vote for the Pirate Party gives you an unspecified result“.
This argument is entirely upside down. The fact is that voters of the Pirate Party know exactly what they’ll get. Political parties with entire ideological agendas have no means to change the world – and none of them give priority to open democracy, personal integrity and a democratic justice system.
The Pirate Party are clear on the subject that if a voter thinks other questions than ours are more important – then please vote with your heart. However, if you believe that the justice system, politics and democracy are being too influenced by the wrong interests – then a vote on the Pirate Party is in place. We know what we stand for – and simply can’t be led astray.
I hope I’ve managed to introduce the concept of FUD to at least someone with this post. Also I hope that I explained that focused politics are a necessity in the European Union. Especially with Orwellian laws being passed while even more of them are in secret being planned and lobbied for.
