Last week, I submitted
this diary, "Hard Work Will Set You Free", with the intent of drawing at least some attention to the creepy billboards all over America sponsored by the
Foundation for a Better Life, a Philip Anschutz company. In the comments, a number of people made statements that they saw "no problem" with the billboards, and they failed to draw the same comparisons to Nazi propaganda that I was alluding to.
In the interest of closing the loop, I promised that I would do some additional research this week. I was surprised at what I found. The text or underlying theme of many of the billboards appear to be derived from Nazi propaganda posters from the 1930s and early 1940s, and others are slight variations on the theme. This comparison is more about the words than the images, but I included the images to prove authenticity.
On Unity
This poster states: "The Reich will never be destroyed if you are united and loyal"
Which is eerily similar to this sentiment:
Hitler also had a few comments on unity, such as "It is thus necessary that the individual should finally come to realize that his own ego is of no importance in comparison with the existence of the nation; that the position of the individual ego is conditioned solely by the interests of the nation at whole... that above all the unity of a nation's spirit and will are worth far more than the freedom of the spirit and will of an individual..."
On Sacrifice
This poster states: "Don't give, Sacrifice"
Which is not unlike this sentiment:
The choice of words is fascinating, since the use of the term "Sacrifice" implies a much more painful and meaningful contribution than simply "giving" or "generosity". I am not a propaganda expert, but there is something to this one that should be explored further.
On Soul
This poster states: "We build body and soul"
And this equivalent message even contains similar imagery! The bare chested man... Odd.
This one confuses me. In the comments to my previous diary, a number of people commented that "Soul" was a strange word selection. It's strange in the Nazi poster as well, but they appear to be consistent in their curious word choice and imagery.
On Production and Hard Work
This poster says: "Farmer! You are a soldier in the battle of production."
Which is an underlying sentiment to all of these billboards:
Production and hard work is another stated goal of the Foundation for a Better Life.
The mission of The Foundation for a Better Life, through various media efforts, is to encourage adherence to a set of quality values through personal accountability and by raising the level of expectations of performance of all individuals regardless of religion or race. Through these efforts, the Foundation wants to remind individuals they are accountable and empowered with the ability to take responsibility for their lives and to promote a set of values that sees them through their failures and capitalizes on their successes. An individual who takes responsibility for his or her actions will take care of his or her family, job, community, and country.
On Strength
This poster says: "Labor Comrade. You work with us. Keep up your strength!"
Why encourage "Strength" in a roadside billboard ad campaign? I don't know. But the similarity in message is creepy once again.
On Determination
This poster says: "Unshakable, determined to fight, certain of victory!"
Which is eerily similar to this not so subtle reminder:
I also found this book of virtues from a thin Nazi booklet called "Faith and Action". The values, listed in order, are:
- Courage
Courage is the most beautiful and noble trait a man can have. He who has no courage is not a man. §The "storming courage" of an attack is wonderful. The feeling of having risked all in service of a high ideal frees one and lets him charge forward with joy. Courage bears a man as if he had wings, and fills his heart. §The attack becomes the high point of life. When everything depends on one card, when one can lose everything, when one can win everything, life is at its best. He who has never charged and attacked, filled with courage, has never fully lived. Alongside "stormy courage" is the "indomitable courage" of those facing hard fate.
- Hardness
Life demands hardness. One must strive with burning heart toward the ideal of hardness. To be hard for the sake of life, to become a fighter, to win the victory. §Our environment is a given. Burning heat in summer, biting cold in winter, long marches in the wet and cold. Working long at the factory, or behind a machine gun. Bearing hunger and thirst, sleeping on the bare earth, not surrendering in battle, never, never, no matter how hopeless everything sees, hurling an empty pistol in the face of the enemy, reaching for his neck without regard for oneself, even if it leads to death. To be a fighter, a fighter with faith in his cause, even if everyone says it is a false cause.
- To do a Thing for its Own Sake
You should never do anything for pay, but rather always because it is worth it for its own sake. Did ever a German soldier go to war for the sake of money? He did it for the Fatherland. He who asks us to be good and pious for money seduces us and draws us away from god.
- Honesty
Your face does not lie, your words are true, your actions are clear and can stand before all. You will say no word about a comrade that you cannot say to his face. If you do so, you destroy the community and injure your honor and that of the other. You become dishonest. §You would not think of stealing ten pfennig from a comrade. How trivial that is when compared to stealing honor from someone who does not realize it, who is unable to defend himself.
- Building a Life
Life begins in youth. It reaches its high point in the man and the woman. It sinks like the sun into old age. §One must see life as a whole, as a natural process, which is perfected in each moment. There is nothing wrong in youth or age. Youth is youth and old age is old age, neither good nor bad, but rather only natural. §Youth is hope, maturity becoming. Youth means the possibility of a proper life and great deeds. If one sees in youth the signs of a coming bad and useless life that is the worse reproach, for the greatest gift is being wasted.
Am I still nuts? Probably. But at least now I am a cashew instead of a date.