A Century of the Self
I've just watched part 3 of this series, a documentary by Adam Curtis.
Stunned.
The brief explanation is below - this is a documentary describing how the PR industry was created in order to manipulate the masses (population) and to keep us under control... 'for our own safety'
It is also about the clever creation of consumerism, orchestrating mind control advertising to keep us purchasing goods from the Capitalist corporations... definitely for our individual benefit, right? (no)
I find these eye-opening teachings fascinating yet, somewhat disturbing at times. This still goes on today, more than we think we are categorised into stereotypes, not just demographic (age, gender, class etc) by our core values and beliefs. We are encouraged to be individuals... and then sold products to enhance our individualism.. makes sense doesn't it? (not)
Here's the summary of the documentary.. if you're like me and love learning about life and the way things (apparently) work I'd urge you to stick on some comfy clothes, relax, and prepare to be shocked.
"The story of the relationship between Sigmund Freud and his American nephew, Edward Bernays. Bernays invented the public relations profession in the 1920s and was the first person to take Freud's ideas to manipulate the masses. He showed American corporations how they could make people want things they didn't need by systematically linking mass-produced goods to their unconscious desires. Bernays was one of the main architects of the modern techniques of mass-consumer persuasion, using every trick in the book, from celebrity endorsement and outrageous PR stunts, to eroticising the motorcar. His most notorious coup was breaking the taboo on women smoking by persuading them that cigarettes were a symbol of independence and freedom. But Bernays was convinced that this was more than just a way of selling consumer goods. It was a new political idea of how to control the masses. By satisfying the inner irrational desires that his uncle had identified, people could be made happy and thus docile. It was the start of the all-consuming self which has come to dominate today's world. "
Part 1 - Happiness Machines
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x17b3j5_the-century-of-the-self-happiness-machines-1_news
Part 2, 3 and 4 can be found in the same users uploads. Enjoy!
Stunned.
The brief explanation is below - this is a documentary describing how the PR industry was created in order to manipulate the masses (population) and to keep us under control... 'for our own safety'
It is also about the clever creation of consumerism, orchestrating mind control advertising to keep us purchasing goods from the Capitalist corporations... definitely for our individual benefit, right? (no)
I find these eye-opening teachings fascinating yet, somewhat disturbing at times. This still goes on today, more than we think we are categorised into stereotypes, not just demographic (age, gender, class etc) by our core values and beliefs. We are encouraged to be individuals... and then sold products to enhance our individualism.. makes sense doesn't it? (not)
Here's the summary of the documentary.. if you're like me and love learning about life and the way things (apparently) work I'd urge you to stick on some comfy clothes, relax, and prepare to be shocked.
"The story of the relationship between Sigmund Freud and his American nephew, Edward Bernays. Bernays invented the public relations profession in the 1920s and was the first person to take Freud's ideas to manipulate the masses. He showed American corporations how they could make people want things they didn't need by systematically linking mass-produced goods to their unconscious desires. Bernays was one of the main architects of the modern techniques of mass-consumer persuasion, using every trick in the book, from celebrity endorsement and outrageous PR stunts, to eroticising the motorcar. His most notorious coup was breaking the taboo on women smoking by persuading them that cigarettes were a symbol of independence and freedom. But Bernays was convinced that this was more than just a way of selling consumer goods. It was a new political idea of how to control the masses. By satisfying the inner irrational desires that his uncle had identified, people could be made happy and thus docile. It was the start of the all-consuming self which has come to dominate today's world. "
Part 1 - Happiness Machines
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x17b3j5_the-century-of-the-self-happiness-machines-1_news
Part 2, 3 and 4 can be found in the same users uploads. Enjoy!
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