Sigmund Freud nephew Edward Bernays [2] Selling War

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.

Sigmund Freud nephew Edward Bernays [1] Torches of Freedom

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

How Freudian Theory Gave a Start to the Manipulation of the Masses

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.

Keep learning how to live

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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.  

Learning is a treasure that's easy to accumulate

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It's so easy to accumulate this kind of treasure!

Meta-learning is learning how to learn

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This is meta-learning - learning about learning - which ironically many of us don't learn in school.

Michelangelo and I are still learning

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Me, too, Michelangelo!

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.