Edward Bernays [6] The engineering of consent

Edward Bernays

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.

Reference: Edward Bernays

Edward Bernays [5] The ploy to shape consumer culture

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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.

~Lisa Held

Psychoanalysis shapes consumer culture: Or how Sigmund Freud, his nephew and a box of cigars forever changed American marketing

Edward Bernays [4] The art of public manipulation

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.

Armenian Genocide - The forgotten holocaust

I was only 12 years old. They took all my school teachers away. They never came back.

~Perouze Ipekjian
Armenian genocide survivor

Armenian Genocide - A personal survivor story

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.

"But you don't forget," I remarked.

"You don't forget," she confirmed.

[2] Bernie Sanders' home state rocks for working moms!

Reference: Bernie Sanders' Vermont Is #1 For Working Moms

[1] Bernie Sanders' home state rocks for working moms!

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.

The $400,000 cost of being a woman

What will it take for women to finally have equal pay?

~Dena Takruri | AJ+

Sigmund Freud nephew Edward Bernays [3] The Legacy

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).

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.

I love studying, I love learning

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Oh, but I love studying, too :)

François Jacquenod | 1001fontaines

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.

Bravo to 1001fontaines!

Stéphanie Goujon | L'Agence du Don en Nature

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.

Jérémy Lachal | Bibliothèques Sans Frontières

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.