WB: The Aesthetics of Fascism

July 21, 2006

Billmon:

I doubt the family resemblance (so to speak) is because the neocons actually have been swiping ideas from Dr. Goebbels. I think it more likely a reflection of the fact that in pursuing their own modern propaganda goals the neocons seek to play upon the same sentimental bourgeois stereotypes (and fears) that had such a grip on the middle-class German imagination.

The Aesthetics of Fascism

Posted by b on July 21, 2006 at 05:41 UTC | Permalink

Comments

Billmon, those old posters are exactly what I thought of when I saw the war porn of the girls signing nose cones circulating this week; I was just too lazy to trawl them up. They were sort of a cross between Hitler youth and bomber nose art…

Posted by: PeeDee | Jul 21 2006 8:44 utc | 1

We have long past Acute Mania…
Long live Leer!

Posted by: Uncle $cam | Jul 21 2006 10:39 utc | 2

Bush’s appeal to his “gut,” to instinct, the disdain for rationality, the right-wing obsessions with will, with power, with strutting manliness–these guys are textbook fascists.

Posted by: Raenelle | Jul 21 2006 13:51 utc | 3

Shiver! The principal sign of fascistic creepiness, the insider-give-away clue (modern USA style, owes much to Freemasons) is the golden pyramid in the back in front of the pretty house at dusk.
Pyramids generally represent strength – solidity – unity. It is also a symbol of hierarchy, and is used that way in modern times, e.g. Maslow’s pyramid of needs; those pyramids of essential foods, etc.
The apex of the pyramid represents the highest spiritual, hierarchical and initiatory attainment.
On the dollar bill, the pyramid is unfinished. Annuit coeptis, and Nuovo Ordo Seclorum written on the bill, translate roughly to: smile on my undertakings – a new order of the ages.
Both are garbled or shortened versions of lines from Virgil. Together, with the split hovering pyramid, they signify a march forward to a glorious destiny. (Leaving out the eye for the mo.)
For another example, here is the logo of the now defunct Total Information Awareness Office (just the first picture from google, haven’t read the text):
Link
The braids are a bit over the top. The appeal to family values – old fashioned children who obeyed their parents, possibly the reference is supposed to be to early US settlers such as are still shown on TV shows I believe rather than to the Volk – is a bit much and clashes with the very modern and dark look of the woman.

Posted by: Noirette | Jul 21 2006 17:17 utc | 4

Interesting where the gaze from the pyramid on the TIA logo is directed….

Posted by: PeeDee | Jul 22 2006 4:20 utc | 5

Wow, PeeDee. I’d glanced at that logo a couple of times in the past when people have brought up issues of creepy semiotics and never noticed where, precisely, the eye was peering. Talk about hiding in plain sight! Good catch.

Posted by: Monolycus | Jul 22 2006 11:08 utc | 6

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