The Core Algorithm is the practical applications model to my conceptual framework - Theory of Algorithms. It is a meta-methodology, that is, a smart, adaptable method for identifying the methods that best serve whatever your purpose, issue or target. In brief, an algorithm is a way of solving a problem or steps for accomplishing a task, and is mathematical and non-mathematical (i.e., conceptual and practical). This blog is my introduction of its seminal applications.
Bernays' public relations efforts helped to popularize Freud's theories in the United States. Bernays also pioneered the public relations industry's use of psychology and other social sciences to design its public persuasion campaigns: "If we understand the mechanism and motives of the group mind, is it not possible to control and regiment the masses according to our will without their knowing about it? The recent practice of propaganda has proved that it is possible, at least up to a certain point and within certain limits" [~Edward Bernays | Propaganda (1928)]. He called this scientific technique of opinion-molding the engineering of consent.
Intrigued by Freud's notion that irrational forces drive human behavior, Bernays sought to harness those forces to sell products for his clients. In his 1928 book, "Propaganda," Bernays hypothesized that by understanding the group mind, it would be possible to manipulate people's behavior without their even realizing it. To test this hypothesis, Bernays launched one of his most famous public relations campaigns: convincing women to smoke.
Edward Bernays realized that he could use products to appeal not to a person's rationality but to [his or her] emotions, just by making a person feel special, powerful, sexy, independent, proud, happy or excited. He could manipulate general masses.
The Armenian Journey - A Story of an Armenian Genocide: From Despair to Hope in Rhode Island, a film by The Genocide Education Project (GenEd), tells the story of Armenian Genocide survivor Margaret Garabedian Der Manuelian; told through the narrative voice of her great-granddaughter, 21-year old Dalita Getzoyan.
A new friend spoke about the Armenian genocide, beginning in 1915, and I didn't know about it. Now I know a little bit more.
Her surviving family members fled to Lebanon, and that is where she was born. Everyone - every Armenian - learns about the genocide while growing up.
But she doesn't harbor ill will toward the Turks, she said, adding that she's forgiven them.
If such support for working moms, and women in general, can happen in Bernie Sanders' home state, I wonder if it can happen in Bernie Sanders' country - i.e. as its President.
We must remain vigilant and inquisitive, when presented with persuasive information. We must question our sources. The next time you hear a politician arguing for another war: remember to ask questions, to check the sources of the claims, don't be taken in by well-written appeals to emotion. Instead, remember to ask yourself, Is there something they don't want you to know?
There is evidently a trail of lies, deception and manipulation in Public Relations, and the legacy of Edward Bernays sheds light on a dark side of humanity. Indeed we shed light by remaining vigilant and inquisitive, and not take things that carry quite a bit of weight for granted or at face value. What Ben Bowlin and Matt Frederick talk about in their Stuff they don't want you to know videos resonates well with Theory of Algorithms (rf. Part 1 - A Beautiful Matter).
It's no secret that legendary PR man Edward Bernays changed the American mind about numerous products, but he didn't stop there. Tune in to the part 2 to learn how Bernays used his skills to assist US Presidents and global corporations as they waged war on Guatemala.
This isn't to say that Edward Bernays was necessarily a bad man, just very, very good at what he did.
Nowadays Edward Bernays, often called "the Father of Public Relations," remains a relatively obscure historical figure. His legacy, however, is thriving around the globe, and his techniques are found in everything from the food we eat to the things we believe. But who was this man, and how did he get his start? How did a nephew of Sigmund Freud use psychology to bend the will of the masses -- and how does his legacy affect you today?
Sigmund Freud had uncanny insight into our psychology | that is, the things that went on inside our mind. His theories may not have been so palatable to some people, such as the Oedipus Complex. But it was his notions of unconscious impulses and defense mechanisms, which have been his lasting contributions to Western culture, language and ideology. So while some may dismiss these ideas, or even despise him personally, there's little denying his pervasive influence throughout the 20th century. It is really no surprise, then, that his daughter (Anna Freud) and nephew (Edward Bernays) drew on his thinking. Many, many others did, too.
More pointedly, Freudian theory underpinned what must've been quite a lucrative consultancy for the aforementioned nephew, that is, for major companies, organizations and governments with whatever "products" to push. In my framework and language, crack The Human Algorithm, and you have every opportunity to sway the masses.
Now that you're motivated to learn, learn how to live as well.
As a family, my wife, daughter and I love to learn. There's pleasure in knowing about new things, figuring things out, and experiencing them firsthand.
Of course, he's dead, so he's not learning anymore. But who knows, maybe there's learning in the afterlife. If so, the expanse for learning must be so vast, and that's exciting.
1001fontaines aims to deploy water purification technology, at very low prices, to the largest number of countries possible.
I cannot underscore enough the importance of engaging the very people we want to help in solving the problems that they themselves face. To the extent that they have a system or process, such as workable business model, which sustains their effort, then all the better. Lost cost is obviously central to such an effort as well.
In France, 9 million people living below the poverty line could benefit 630 million euros of new non-perishable products which are destroyed every year.
Definitely less waste, more sharing. I can only imagine the staggering waste that people of industrialized, developed nations produce on any given day. Stéphanie Goujon & Co. do good in converting waste to usefulness.
Today, more than 50 million refugees will spend 17 years of their life in a camp that they will not be able to leave. For Bibliothèques Sans Frontières, a library is more than just a collection of books. It's a toolbox used by the most vulnerable populations in the world, which allows them to build their futures.
I love this. The mobile libraries - in colorful toolboxes - are full of books and e-books, laptops and tablets, other educational tools and creative material. I believe that the royal road to a better life among people across the world is learning and development.
Today, in cities, 85% of places are inaccessible to people in wheelchairs, to those [who] are overweight, visually impaired, elderly or simply pregnant.
Ensuring accessibility doesn't have to be complex or costly. A simple ramp in an office that has a step down from one room to another, as shown in this video, can be constructed easily. Drinking cups by a conventional water fountain makes it easy enough for those in wheelchairs to have a drink. A social media campaign - Google+ | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram - can make people aware and informed on how best to help a visually-impaired person they may encounter. Such solutions simply require a little bit of willingness and ingenuity.
In France about 750,000 tons of food are wasted annually through distribution. La Banque Alimentaire du Rhône is an association that has been fighting against food waste for 30 years.
From oil to food, there must be a wealth of previously wasted resources, which if recovered in sufficient time and with effective means, can take care of humankind for decades. Bravo to Camille Gaidier!
In France 82% of young people between the ages of 15 and 30 wish to invest themselves in a cause. The thousands of entrepreneurs engaged in solving social and environmental can respond to this wish... In three years we will have mobilized over 300,000 volunteers in 70 countries.
Globally 80% of amputees live in developing countries. The price of medical devices, often very high, makes the inaccessible to most.
The technology that well educated, privileged people see via all sort of media - from YouTube and Facebook, to TV and newspapers - is the purview of only a small segment of the world. The impoverished do not see what they see, and more importantly do not get what they get. So I love what Nicolas Huchet has launched, because it directs his entrepreneurial mind and effort to a humanitarian need.
More and more people want to contribute to and solve social and environmental problems... Ticket for Change is an association that helps and inspires talents to transform society through entrepreneurship ... "entrepreneurs of change."
Inevitably, much as some may singularly laud, even idolize technology, it is a tapestry of digital | online networks, plus in-person contacts, which encourage would-be innovators and entrepreneurs to come together and motivate would-mentors as well to support, guide and challenge them.
Voxe.org is an organization that aims to provide neutral and clear information on politics, in order to facilitate political engagement amongst citizens.
I love what Voxe.org is doing, as it resonates well with The Core Algorithm and Theory of Algorithm. Besides information, Roquefeuil & Co. encourage conversation, understanding, and involvement in engaging, constructive ways. This truly is at the heart of democratic ideals and values.
Lacking money or time can lead one to make poorer decisions, possibly because poverty imposes a cognitive load that saps attention and reduces effort...
The poor often behave in less capable ways, which can further perpetuate poverty... It appears that poverty itself reduces cognitive capacity. We suggest that this is because poverty-related concerns consume mental resources.
It makes sense that poverty affects us physically, emotionally and cognitively, especially as it impacts our very survival or livelihood. We are neither disengaged from nor dispassionate about what goes on in our lives and around us.
