Censorship As a Means of Preserving National Identity

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(IJCRSEE) International Journal of Cognitive Research in science, engineering and education Vol. 1, No.2, 2013. CENSORSHIP AS A MEANS OF PRESERVING NATIONAL IDENTITY

Dr. Agapova Elena, associate professor Faculty of Philosophy and Cultural Studies of the South Federal University Russia, Rostov-on-Don, 33 Sadovaya Str. E-mail: [email protected] UDK: 316.774:342.727

Abstract: In the current climate, preserva- with exposure of vulnerable spots in oppo- tion of identity and statesmanship depends on cor- nent’s semantic scope, definition of disso- rect usage of censorship, which presents a guarding organism eliminating the consequences of “infor- nant facts, stereotypes and conceptions, to mation war”. Over the past few decades cultural which afterwards fundamental meaning is values have been replaced by quasivalues, which, in attributed through media propaganda. At their turn, served as a basis for promulgation of new that as an alternative to society a new behavior patterns. Thus, society promotion, simpli- world model is offered, that is based upon fication of national culture, as well as attempts to control mass conscience in order to orient it to- illusions and stereotypes of the given soci- wards strange and primitive norms and values, are a ety, but not rooted in its historical memory, result of information war and lack of censorship as national traditions, underlying psychologi- counterbalance. cal paradigms and directly contradicting Key words: censorship, manipulation of social and historical conditions of its exist- conscience, information war, information flow and mass media. ence. A condition of effectiveness of ma- Censorship: patterns of develop- nipulation is taking mass conscience be- ment yond the framework of norms, values, stereotypes, destabilization of mass con- In the current climate, preservation science through propaganda and diversion. of identity and statesmanship depends on Victory and information war is achieved correct usage of censorship, which presents when destructive system of values is per- a guarding organism eliminating the con- ceived by target audience as a “way to sequences of “information war”. Theoreti- freedom”, and the carriers of those values cal basis of information war is principally – as “liberators”. Thus, information war is constituted by A. Gramshi’s theory of “cul- a fundamental element in modern geopolit- tural nucleus”, the theory of cognitive dis- ical division of the world, and growing im- cord and conception of P. Lazarsfield’s portance is now being attached to devel- gradual distribution of information. Such opment of countermeasures against manip- war is aimed at demolition of the public ulation technologies, as well as develop- system of values, destabilization of society ment of control and protection facilities on spiritual, political and economic level. with regard to information space. Owing to Thus, society promotion, simplification of the lack of protection means to support in- national culture, as well as attempts to con- formation space, ideology matrix was dis- trol mass conscience in order to orient it mounted, the public lost the system of val- towards strange and primitive norms and ue coordinates, and what remained was a values, are a result of information war and bulk of people with no coherent worldview lack of censorship as counterbalance. and no ability towards logical thinking, Over the past few decades cultural recognition of cause-and-effect relation- values have been replaced by quasivalues, ships. The close of the 20th century and the which, in their turn, served as a basis for st promulgation of new behavior patterns. early 21 century clearly saw moral and Demolition of the system of values begins intellectual degradation of considerable

www.ijcrsee.com (IJCRSEE) International Journal of Cognitive Research in science, engineering and education Vol. 1, No.2, 2013. part of population. Progressively, grew the process both on the part of media owners potential of manipulating this part of socie- and scientist who refused to conform to the ty. At that, methods of manipulation came reality of consumer society. However, the to be even more primitive. For example, gravity of current situation is enhanced as a with respect to political situation, winning result of academic community’s poor mas- is about disregarding political correctness. tering of PR means offered by the Internet. Electorate needs scandal, fight, exposure, It would appear that academics should be because without intrigue even the best the first to master new possibilities and election program won’t be heard, read or employ them in order to influence margin- voted for by the majority, as politics as it is al population stratums forming their repre- doesn’t interest the masses anymore. As a sentatives into proper middle class. But result, in the framework of political tech- whether intentionally or for reasons un- nologies it is now possible to entirely re- known, science is using outdated measures. fuse influence upon intellectual minority Alongside with creation and active promo- and stage consecutive “show” for undered- tion of news feeds, blogs and forums, sci- ucated masses with insignificant engage- ence is posting information on web-sites ment of marginal segment. In these condi- hardly ever visited by academic communi- tions, certain “elite” circles and its ty. Thus, activist function of humane cleri- “guides” found it appropriate to deprive sy that appeared to be able to destroy a science and education of the power to in- state as big as the Soviet Union, was over fluence the masses and hinder further sim- the past two decades brought under strik- plification of manipulation technologies ingly easy-to-exercise and low-cost con- that goes along with exponential spread of trol. The humanities were confined within manipulation. themselves. At that, by virtue of current The priority task was affiliated with education system, this system of humane keeping science representatives (first and sciences is characterized by selfmainte- foremost with regard to human sciences nance. owing to its immense potential to influence opinion) and, consequently, humane know- Censorship: current status ledge as a whole, away for access to the “buffer zone” and preserving science with- At this point, we are faced with revo- in marginal layer, approximately on the lutionary type of censorship that has gen- same level with “middle management” and eralized and thoroughly analyzed the mis- “mobsters” having pulled ahead to become takes of the preceding regime. The Soviet “security chiefs”. In other words, what is Union assiduously prohibited manifesta- meant here is the level notable for its high tions of “nonconformity” in humane sci- activity, illusion of boisterous existence, ences and as a result acquired powerful possibility of leading normal life, but lack- social networks gathered around the liberal ing real results in the framework of influ- clerisy and oriented towards destruction of ence upon public opinion. As a conse- state mechanisms, samizdat and soviet quence, humane sciences were confined in rock music serving as examples. Modern a closed world with its estrange “gibber- elite, however, has created conditions in ish”. which formation of social networks around Approbation of most of research is liberal clerisy is practically impossible. conducted within the confines of the This demanded taking a number of steps: worlds of science and education, which 1. Create “the rules of the game” that indicates absolute invalidity of this re- would enable “the big league” of the hu- search as socially significant phenomenon. manities to suppress creative initiatives Humanist scholars have practically no ac- “from below”. cess to mass media. This was a mutual

www.ijcrsee.com (IJCRSEE) International Journal of Cognitive Research in science, engineering and education Vol. 1, No.2, 2013.

2. Separate neighboring society clas- by American society because of “market ses and form their distinct systems of val- and consumer civilization” that has drawn ues (middle management, for instance) and the planet to a dangerous point. It would special culture. appear that mankind has chosen the wrong 3. Extensively “grease” the big way of going through bifurcation, hasn’t in league of the humane sciences and channel due time changed development impera- financial flow into shadow zone thus ac- tives, so that general aims and stable future quiring means of total control over leaders were sacrificed to instantaneous political of liberal clerisy. profits of the elite. Thus, attention should To illustrate the above-described in- be paid to three periods: the 18th century – ability of the humanities to exercise any Louis’s catch phrase “as if there were no kind of influence over public opinion one tomorrow”; the 20th century – the citation can examine the state of affairs with the of Nobel prize winner, liberal democrat works of G. Nosovsky and A. Fomenko. Friedrich August von Hayek saying we Having conducted adequate PR campaign shouldn’t care too much about future gen- in mass media while denying the laws and erations, as they can take care of us; the norms of scientific community, the authors 21st century – the idea of the Golden Bil- of a rather questionable theory that is wide lion, intentional degradation of population open to criticism, have come out at several aiming at closing immediately profitable thousand strong printing run and have def- deals of the elite and creation of gaps be- initely entered the “buffer zone” of people tween moral imperatives and technology exeting influence over public opinion. scale. The answer of official science was so pale Obviously, the road of technological and unexpressive, that all it could do was civilization that the mankind has been add popularity of the theory to Nosovsky treading for the last four centuries, has and Fomenko’s theory. Thus, it seems ab- come to an end, and society won’t be able solutely necessary to conduct across-the- to survive with such stereotypes of mass board reform of the principles of modern conscience. Hence the task to furnish alter- humane sciences, principles of pursuance natives for the future, plan it and under- and publication of research. Only structural stand what kind of a person could live in reform can enable the humanities to com- this future. Thus, once again arises the ply with its social and public mission and problem of “a new individual”, and this stand against degradation of society. At task should be taken care of before culture, modern stage, the attitude of society, mass ideology, religion manage to adapt to the conscience towards scientific research re- new future. The later the humanity accepts markably resembles a child’s attitude to- responsibility for its past, the narrower will wards R. Kipling’s dried monkey paw. be the passage of opportunities. It is obvi- This tendency is worldwide, however na- ous that here one will have to rely on the ture abhors a vacuum, and a flow of voo- potential of the humane sciences (at that it doo doctors, psychics, sorcerers and magi- should be noted here that among leading cians has rushed through the media, Russian philosophers there are a lot of “charging”, “ hexing”, “putting astral de- people educated in the field of physics and fense” and being seriously perceived by natural sciences. The reason lies in the fact the masses who sincerely believe in that physics is a great school for critical achieving supernatural wealth and prosper- thinking that explains that in various situa- ity. This obviously presents a crisis un- tions things can be proved and verified in- doubtedly caused by ideology of market stead of hopefully believed at, which gives and consumer society. In his book “Earth rise to non-standard approaches to prob- in the Balance”, the US vice president A. lems seemingly detached from exact sci- Gore speaks out about the dead-end faced ences). Many problems of the humanities,

www.ijcrsee.com (IJCRSEE) International Journal of Cognitive Research in science, engineering and education Vol. 1, No.2, 2013. including research in the field of censor- Prevent expansion of manipulation ship, could be attributed to cross- technologies provoking changes in an indi- disciplinary issues, as today solving a vidual’s psyche and health issues. problem in the framework of one science is Provide basic education (starting no longer possible. For example, in order with secondary school) through exercise of to conduct detailed research of censorship, control over quality of the teaching process one should possess research data of hu- and provision of quality (from the scien- manitarian (philology, sociology, political tific point of view) learning aids excluding science), special (medicine), exact sciences propaganda of pseudoscientific views and (mathematics, physics), etc. ideological interpretations. Therefore, in the present-day situa- Essential problem is that censorship tion, in order to effectively resolve philo- is classified among the concepts that socie- sophical and cultural task in research of ty sees as negative phenomena owing to censorship, it is imperative to use results of objective and subjective reasons (history of humane and natural modules of study. If development of censorship and censors). not, research will have self-confined char- European countries that have rejected acter and won’t have any practical realiza- censorship institutes and are dictating their tion in the public life. In case a possibility own mentality model, haven’t however exists to realize key points of a research, rejected it completely seeing that they have including ours, a possibility emerges to hidden and blurred censorship embargos in give an adequate “ANSWER” when civili- legislation. Over several centuries of such zation is being “HISTORICALLY CHAL- practice, the western world has elaborated LENGED” according to A, Toynbee, and stable notion of society, of the permissible at that it is preferable to have several and the inadmissible, while Russian socie- communities offering various answer op- ty in respect of censorship is currently ex- tions. A. Toynbee analyzes historical des- isting in legislative chaos, so that more of- tinies of different civilizations and notices ten than not West- European assumptions bifurcation points that had defined the of “the good” and “the evil” differ from course of development of great states sev- those observed in Russia. In order to elim- eral centuries ahead. If we suggest that in inate such residual controversies, NEW- the history of Russia such point occurred in SPEAK is being employed. The term itself the reformation period (1985), the forecast was introduced in a fiction work by G. is rather hawkish. If, however such point Orwell, in which he showed totalitarian hasn’t yet occurred at all, introduction of world where even thoughts of an individu- imperative changes and beginning of the al were controlled through newspeak so new era in Russia is still possible, from that even thinking of something inappro- DEGRADATION to RENOVATION. priate and committing “thought crime” was impossible. Censorship: measures to adopt Newspeak is a linguistic system that implies creation of words in an already ex- At this stage of “transition” censor- isting language, as well as substitution of ship should: the meaning of the old words. Even more Take up the function of separation of importantly, the new meaning turns out to pseudoscience from science, as well as its be exactly the opposite of the old one. suppression in mass media. Such system is used to manipulate public Form public opinion oriented to- opinion, overmaster people’s thinking pro- wards western models and values which cesses and channel them in accordance weren’t historically rooted in the mentality with manipulator’s wants. In the course of of the people (Orthodoxy – Protestantism). time, the terms of newspeak replace origi- nal words of the language together with

www.ijcrsee.com (IJCRSEE) International Journal of Cognitive Research in science, engineering and education Vol. 1, No.2, 2013. their conventional connotations, which REFERENCES brings about destruction of common sense – the people cease to understand what they Fromm E. (1990). Escape from freedom. Progress are talking about and how they are express- Publishing House. Moscow Kara-murza S.G. (2000). Manipulation of con- ing their thoughts. This is due to the fact science. Moscow. Algorithm publications. that the new words have no stable connec- Prohorov E.P. (1993). The press – the “fourth tions in the language and no developed lex- power”? // Moscow University Reporter. Series ical niche, which explains the term “amoe- 10: Journalism. №2. ba words” introduced by S. Kara-murza in Toffler A. (1990). Powershift: Kno-wledge, Wealth, and Violence at the Edge of the 21-st his “Paths of a practical mind” to describe Centure. New York. London these vocabulary items that have integrated into the language and ruined it. Thus, an- other function of censorship is to fight newspeak, as usage of this linguistic system presents defeat in the war over common sense: to accept opponents’ language, to adopt expression means of wolves “in sheep’s clothing” means to gradually become their captive. Even if there exists conception of words different from the no- tions used by conversation partner, anyway one gets trapped in a semantic pitfall due to lack of comprehension of the meaning behind the word, which is often polyse- mantic and even covert. In this case censorship is supposed to employ new technologies to put up effective fight against newspeak and manipulation technologies, and not use technologies to fight common sense, which is exactly what is going on in this day and age. Censorship doesn’t disappear as a notion, what can be lost is the term, but not the functions or methods through which a specific part of society exercises dosage and control over information flows for the masses. Owing to information revolution, information flows cannot be controlled through conventional methods anymore, and consequently, new methods were elaborated to fit into modern practices. In order to clearly understand what it is exactly that has to be altered in public conscience and society in general, it is imperative to research new censorship technologies and their influence upon mass conscience, as well as possible and current consequences of their usage for financial or political reasons for the benefit of a specific class.