“Propaganda”. -- Prof. Jason Stanley presented the key ideas of his recent book on the topic in a talk here last night. He distinguishes between “undermining” and “supporting” propaganda. In the first case, an ideal is invoked in order to destroy or prevent an instance of this very ideal. For example, Marie LePen defends anti-immigration policies in the name of freedom. In the case of supporting propaganda someone flags an ideal she wishes to see implemented.  Stanley also made some more general claims; the boldest was that it is impossible to draw a clear line between parts of language that are propagandist, and parts of language that are not. -- Agreed. The talk was presented in a lively and entertaining way, and in German.  Bravo! -- Why then didn't I walk home all happy and content? Perhaps the reason was this. The talk did not present any “uncomfortable” truths for anyone with broadly secular, lefty, pro-immigration, anti-racist, pro-gender-equality instincts. These are my instincts, too, I hope. But I want a talk on a political issue to challenge my instincts, show me where they conflict, either with each other, or with realities on the ground. I want to learn about complexities, problems, hidden depths, overlooked mechanisms, and turns of the tide. Stanley's talk was a little thin on these desiderata. (No doubt, I’ll find all these in his book.)