Propaganda is a key ingredient in dystopian narratives. It’s also present in many aspects of real life. To learn more, Toby and Meg talk to award-winning filmmaker and author Paul Fischer. His book – A Kim Jong-Il Production: The Extraordinary True Story of a Kidnapped Filmmaker, His Star Actress, and a Young Dictator’s Rise to Power – is a fascinating look at how the North Korean regime builds and rebuilds its own version of reality.
We also discuss other types of propaganda and how emerging technology is changing the way propagandists practice their craft.
P.S. We’re planning a show about young adult dystopian fiction, and we’d love to hear from you (or, even better, your kids.) What are some great kid-friendly dystopian books? Why are dystopian stories so popular among teens and tweens? Send us an email or voice memo at email@example.com or leave a comment under this post.
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