Propaganda

De: Edward Bernays, Mark Crispin Miller - introduction

Narrado por: Grover Gardner

"The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country." (Edward Bernays)

A seminal and controversial figure in the history of political thought and public relations, Edward Bernays pioneered the scientific technique of shaping and manipulating public opinion, which he famously dubbed the "engineering of consent". During World War I, he was an integral part of the US Committee on Public Information, or CPI, a powerful propaganda apparatus that was mobilized to package, advertise, and sell the war to the American people as one that would "Make the World Safe for Democracy". The CPI became the blueprint for the marketing strategies of future wars.

Bernays applied the techniques he had learned in the CPI and, incorporating some of the ideas of Walter Lipmann, became an outspoken proponent of propaganda as a tool for democratic and corporate manipulation of the population. His 1928 bombshell, Propaganda, lays out his eerily prescient vision for using propaganda to regiment the collective mind in a variety of areas, including government, politics, art, science, and education. To listen to this book today is to frightfully comprehend what our contemporary institutions of government and business have become in regard to the organized manipulation of the masses.

©1928 Edward Bernays (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Excellent lesson in mass psychology.

This book bestows a terrific insight into the crucial mechanisms that mold the perception of the masses. This classic work is worthy of serious study and just may change the way you perceive the world around you.

Today this would be called Marketing and Influence

This book has a number of outdated references but as a primer to the core concept of shaping public opinion to achieve goals is great.

The ideas expressed align closely with many marketing courses (know your consumer and who holds the pocketbook, etc.) paired with a more macro view of influence than many marketing courses provide. It provides just enough depth to help people understand the concepts without attempting to make experts out of them.

What of the internet?

Professor Miller’s comprehensive introduction puts this seminal (1928) piece on “propaganda” in a more current context. It would be very enlightening were the introduction to be updated to address the advent and exploitation of internet technology and social media. I enjoyed the book.

Surprisingly relevant

I didn’t expect the wealth of knowledge contained here but I’m grateful for it. This has been an important and relevant read for not only my marketing class but also the impact of influence today.

The seed of the attention economy

This is a time capsule, each of the events Bernays was known for promoted this book. His audience was all the money holders who needed to be ready, watch... he says: Propaganda goes 1928 live, the book is buyable and giftable, give it to reporters covering the next big event Easter 1929, Torches of Freedom women's right to smoke, you've come a long way, baby,
It is a clear equivalent of a Mein Kamp, Eddy Bernays, how to rule the world by 1970... well worth the read.