[Reader-list] On a sublime form of propaganda: ‘UIDAI is just the back-end’

[Taha Mehmood]

Dear All

Consider this: In a cognitive propaganda model, language is used
extensively to induce what is known as cognitive distortions. Such
distortions are then utilized to justify an action. A good example for
this would be: The underprivileged of India are ‘suffering’ we give
them a number and everything would be alright after wards etc.

The sublime technique of filtering is part of Cognitive Propaganda.
Now as we all know, ‘filtering’ is over-focusing on one aspect of
something to the exclusion of everything else.

Now consider this:

After attending a cabinet committee meeting on UIDAI alias Aadhar
alias MNIC, Mr. Nilekani spoke to the press. In this respect, I wish
to
draw your attention to the following statement given by Mr. Nilekani
about UIDAI.

“We are just a number issuing and data collecting authority…UIDAI is
just the back-end,” said Mr. Nilekani.

http://beta.thehindu.com/news/national/article433961.ece

I find the portrayal of UID by its boss Mr. Nilekani, as a ‘number
issuing authority’ very very interesting. My interest was drawn to a
particular word -JUST-

Remember 1,50,000 Crores are riding behind this word very innocuous
word  -just-. 1,50,000 crores of public money which is going to be
transferred in the name of creating an archive of hearsays’.

My respect for Mr. Nilekani has grown manifold, because he seems to be
using a very sophisticated cognitive propaganda model to complete his
brief i.e. to transfer 1,50,000 crores of public money, in the name of
a  necessary exercise, to a particular industry, in the name of a
technological ideal.

Every time Mr. Nilekani comes to face the news camera or talks to
press reporters. These days he does it every day. He will
focus on ‘number issuing authority’ aspect of UID in a very carefully
crafted manner.

What about Natgrid Sir?

What about total costs of the project, SIr?

He will not answer any question related to the total cost of project.
I mean. Man! does he wants us to believe that this is how he has run
his business all these years, without having an idea of the cost of
investment, or returns on investment or without having an idea of how
he will be spending in the course of say next five years?

Why does anyone not talk about this loot of public money in the name
of underprivileged of India?

Reminds me of a conversation I have had with a friend once. He was
telling me about the atom bomb. When atom bomb was made, US gov, hired
some linguists and propagandists i.e. communication experts to sell
the idea of bomb to the US public. They had to sell to the general
public, that it is morally okay for US army to slaughter a huge number
of innocent people who had nothing to do with the war.

Linguists zeroed in on one word. -ONLY- . The propaganda machine
worked like mad to sell this idea. Only a couple of thousands will be
affected. Only few hundred thousands will have to pay the immediate
price and so on to create an impression that ‘only’ a ‘few’ people
will be affected.

ONLY is a deeply ambiguous word which means a variety of things but
while used an adjective it means, being the single one or the
relatively few of the kind.

ONLY shares a close association with JUST which is also a deeply
ambiguous word and when used as an adverb means, only or merely.

I wonder if, Mr. Nilekani is deliberately resorting to the use of
these words to create some sort  carefully calibrated cognitive
dissonance? A type of dissonance which first justifies the use of UID
as an aid to the underprivileged while distorting UID’s potential as
an agency which could deeply harm the privacy of individuals. At the
same time, I wonder whether, cognitive dissonance is used deliberately
to take attention off from an open loot of the public money, this
naked subsidizing to revive a middle class sector, to revive a myth of
India as IT Superpower?

Warm regards

Taha