Don't Be a Sucker - 1947
Why Hacker News recommends it
Shared in political threads as a timeless warning about divisive manipulation and demagogues.
What it is
A 1947 US military film that deconstructs how the Nazi regime used divisive propaganda and prejudice to split and control a population. It teaches viewers to recognise demagoguery tactics.
Recommended by 2 HN commenters across 2 different months, 2017 to 2025.
What Hacker News said
Recommends gremlinsinc · 2017-08 · on “Trump Strategic and Policy Forum, Which Included IBM and GM CEOs, Disbands”
By putting people in 'groups' and having those who support him also enforce this idea that we're all in separate groups and need to look out for own little group--this is how fascism grows, this is how hitler took over Germany, this is how a new Hitler figure could take over America too... It's not outside the realm of possibility sure Germans in 1900 couldn't forsee the horrors of 1940. Here's a good video from 1947 explaining the whole thing: [this video]
Recommends PaulHoule · 2021-06 · on “Ask HN: Question about mRNA Vaccines?”
I don't know about that, but I do know this. There is a gang of people that is promoting lies about Ivermectin (that it is not only effective against Roundworms but also COVID-19) and COVID-19 vaccines (that they are dangerous.) I am not sure that they expect to convince anybody, but I think the goal is for the people involved to be persecuted and rejected, complain they are being censored, and then become more bonded to the group. It is like how some cults force members into fruitless evangelism. My advice: [this video]
Cites rhaksw · 2022-10 · on “Mandated diversity statement drives Jonathan Haidt to quit academic society”
> You didn't actually answer my request for evidence, though I agree with the NYT that censorship is rooted in fear [1]. Evidence is aplenty of the benefits of open discourse. In real-world places where open discourse is encouraged, people and ideas thrive. Also, saying "you need to be protected from other people's words" is not a winning argument in the public sphere. People want to be trusted to make their own decisions about how to feel, not have the importance of speech dictated to them. It's really only a small minority who seek protection against certain viewpoints, and they too want to be able to express themselves. Unfortunately, censorship is also used against them , often with prej
Cites Joel_Mckay · 2025-02 · on “DOGE puts $1 spending limit on government employee credit cards”
Narcissists love themselves more than anyone else, and would never deny the world of their joy in collateral misery. lol =3 "Don't Be a Sucker" (1947) [this video]
Cites Joel_Mckay · 2025-04 · on “Study finds that budget cuts to public R&D would significantly hurt the economy”
Most academics have the option of studying abroad for awhile if desired. And yes, people should be worried. =3 [this video]
Cites Joel_Mckay · 2025-07 · on “U.S. will review social media for foreign student visa applications”
Hardly a new political phenomena, and policies with known predictable outcomes. [this video] One must sympathize with the good folks at AMCHAM that will have to clean up the mess. Have a wonderful day =)