"Propaganda?" Sure, I know what that is. That's what they call the lies which are spread by dictators. If that happens to be your idea of propaganda, you're due for a little surprise. First of all, most propaganda has a foundation of truth, however small that' may be, and is employed by' such diversified groups as large cor porations, labor unions, religious orders, and even welfare organi zations, such as the Red 'Cross. By now you're probably wondering "Well, just what do you call propaganda?" Basically, propaganda is anything which attempts to influence our opinions and actions by means of an emotional appeal. Sometimes the aims of the pro pagandist are socially desirable, but more often they constitute a threat to the welfare of the public and even to democracy itself. When we habitually base our decisions upon emotional grounds we cease to be free thinking individuals and become slaves of a master showman. To prevent this we must be able to recognize propaganda whenever we come in contact with it. The simplest and easiest method of deter Mining whether or iklt something it 4 propaganda is to ask yourself if it appeals to your intellect or to your emotions. If it appeals to your emotions, you can bet your last dime that it's propaganda. Modern propagandists are shrewd characters and manage to insert their wares into almost every form of communication, in cluding the radio, moving pictures, books (including text books), newspapers, lectures, and even jokes. The following example might well be called war propaganda: An American general and a sweet young thing were sitting in a 'Parisian cafe shortly after V-J Day. Finally the conversation turned . to the atom bomb. The girl was very impressed by the de structive power of the bomb and asked the general how many it would take to destroy every large city in France. The general replied that he .didn't know off hand, but got out paper and a pencil and started figuring. Three minutes later he looked up and said: "Why, it would take approximately 35 bombs to destroy every large city in France." The girl was amazed and then asked how many it would have taken' for Germany. Again the general picked up the pencil and started figuring. Five minutes later he looked up and replied: "Oh, I'd say that about 56 atom bombs would have destroyed every large city in Germany." "Just think of that," marveled the girl. "Tell me, how many would it take for a country'as large as Russia?" "Exactly.2l2," replied the general immediately. For .the past nine weeks the majority of the HUC student body has been spending most of its odd moments in that latest substitute for a substitute game room—"the cellar." This unique little quarter of the underground, origin of the grapevine and scene of other vital student activities is undoubtedly a basic need in our compact organization. But a few of its , characteristics are not necessary. The outstanding one of this never forsaken spot is the sloppy condition. This condition is aggravated by the volume of cigarette butts littering the floor every day despite the ceaseless, efforts of our school janitor to keep it clean. It is not his job to play nursemaid to a group of "college" students but 41:00 Propaganda By WAJLT STEINMAN IT'S UP TO YOU HAZLETON COLLEGIAN to insure maximum efficient use of the building by carrying out a multitude of previously assigned duties. Several suggestions for improving the "game room" have been suggested to the college council. But before any action can be taken this deplorable condition must be changed. In order to effect a change the council has decided to seek student co operation in the matter. The week beginning Dec. 8 has been designated probation week to test the student body. An ample amount of butt cans are provided in the basement of the building—the only section where smok ing is allowed—to dispose of the refuse. It shall be the duty of those who utilize the smoking privilege to see that butts are deposited 'directly into the cans. Unless this is done the 'privilege of smoking in any •portion of the building shall be suspended indefinitely for everyone. Smoking anywhere else in the building endangers the rest of the student body and the first and second graders who have classes on the second floor. The janitor whose thankless task it is to clean up the unholy mess will decide whether or not the suggestion has been followed If after probation week the condition is not remedied and further action is deemed necessary several more decisive steps can, and will be taken. Inquring Reporter By GEORGE DEMSHOCK HUC this school year includes well over 200 non-resident students in its enrollment of approximately 460. To show the scope of territory covered, the question was directed expressly to these non-resident stu dents. QUESTION: What is the chief difference you notice between high school life and college life? GEORGE P. EPSTEIN (New York) : "The big difference is in the atti tude of the teachers. In high school, I was just a little animal to be shoved through school, but in college I'm a man seeking an education." HARRY T. PONTING (Wilkes- Ilarre) : "The primary difference is; in col lege the education received is depen dent upon the individual. There is more cooperation on the part of the instructors to help students benefit from college training. It offers stu dents a chance to discover what will be expected of him in the future, and give him the basic fundamentals to accomplish this task which was not so stressed in our high school." ROBERT L. .SHANDRY (Sha mokin) : • "One of the chief differences I've noticed is the amount of cooperation between the student and instructor. Work in college is greatly speeded up compared to high school. Then too, college gives one a chance to choose those subjects he likes best." LEO H. FANELLI (Mahanoy City) : "In comparison to high school life students in college are much more mature, and apply themselves in a better manner." THOMAS J. JENKINS (Lans ford) : "The attitude of the high school students is they feel they are work ing to behoove themselves, rather than the institution. In high school, classes seem to be dragged out, but in college, subjects are made more interesting by introduction and ex perimentation of newer teaching methods. The teachers of high school are reluctant to flunk because of local social aspects. College in structors are more independent, free of local politics, public pressure, and the like." Faculty Chatter By NAOMI GOSS School spirit is one of those hard to-define terms. It's one of the things we recognize and know when we meet it, and yet when it's lacking in our daily life we aren't quite sure just what is wrong. School spirit is a complex subject—it involves par ticipation in extra curriculars at tendance at sports events and pep rallies school dances and social functions—and a general feeling of unity and cohesion among the stu dent body and faculty. Attendance at the first basketball game of the season and at the York pep rally were good for a beginning but let's have twice as many out at the Pottsville game on the 17th. Get behind those boys who are defending your school's name and give them some support. Proper laurels should go to Patri cia Kringe, Gladys Lorah and Joella McCarty for their willingness to par ticipate in our school's newest under taking—the cheerleading squad. Congratulations go to Virginia Dougherty Maurer who succeeds Mrs. Bernard Levash as secretary to Mr. Goss, Administrative Head of HUC. On December 11th David B. Pugh, Supervisor of the Undergraduate Centers of Penn State, will be host to the Hazleton faculty and members of the Advisory Board at a Christ mas Dinner to be held at the Hotel Altamont. J. J. McCoomb, Associate Librari an at the Penn State Library was a recent visitor at HUC. Miss Camp bell reports that Mr. McCoomb was very favorably impressed by our Center Library. Mr. Seibel, Mr. Mac Mullen, and the Misses Staffieri, Phillips, Bonn and Erleman will attend an English Workshop conference on the main campus this week end. The results of my search for news to report in this column reminds me of a story— Hughie Close: Do you know what happens to a girl who wears long skirts ? Nancy Rowand: No, what? Hughie: Nothing! In order, to build high, one must dig deep. Love looks through a telescope; envy through a microscope. —Henry W. Shaw
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers