Edward Bernays (1891–1995)

Twentieth century was thinking man's golden age (same as 21st one seems to be the age of over-sensitive, highly-emotional man). This was also the period where he made weapons to be used for its own suicide. And by this I do not mean military technology advances, ever deadlier, ever more powerful but subtle techniques of mass control and ultimately mind-messing techniques.

This is where we come at propaganda. Edward L. Bernays is considered father of the propaganda and it is visible from this book that he is a very proud of his achievements. Using his sharp mind he comes to the truly ingenious ways of manipulating masses (and I have to say that approach he used is so simple but so effective it is incredible... hat down by all means). And this is where we come to the catch.

As much as he tries to hide it, author thinks of him as above the plebs and even cut above the people he is helping achieving their goals. This is unavoidable - person just cannot hold same perspective when it has power of life and death over masses. So while main focus is how propaganda can help society, from education to every day life) it becomes more than obvious that propaganda is tool where goals are set by those using it - be it individuals, corporate entities or governments. and these goals do not need to align with goals that will benefit everyone. In every chapter author mentions puppeteers in the background of every event taking place but he stays to his conviction that people are doing right things and not abusing their power (heh, right).

Take for example author's role in tobacco industry propaganda - he did make a change and stopped supporting it but not after ensuring tobacco industry to become what it is today.

And this brings us to another point - propagandist (or PR person as author calls it) is a mercenary that works for money that is payed by interested parties. While it is expected for this person to avoid suspicious contracts, lets be honest, when we are talking about millions who exactly is paying attention to moralities. And this is where author goes into sphere of wishful thinking (and to be honest he shows he is aware of it, for a very clever man he is not that subtle, and one has to wonder how come).

All in all book is very contemporary and all examples and approaches are valid today (even more so with the rise of media and social networks in recent decades). What worries is how author remains OK with the aspect of the ever changing propaganda ideas - as long it goes with the client's plans all is good. Just take above mentioned tobacco industry, exalted at the beginning, during 1940's onward it was looked upon first with suspicion and then vilified. So propaganda info changed with time - but do we ever look back to devastation that came first? And does not this remind you of last and current year - what was laughed at, ridiculed, with new information was started to be treated as regular news ("We all knew it from the start!" Ha!) and people were left confused (to say the least).

This book is excellent read because after reading it (and if you payed attention) you will become aware of news and media patterns - approach did not change at all, only thing that changed is the level of mind-numbing-bombardment, number of vectors used rose hundred fold (previously only pamphlets and public speeches, then newspapers and radio, followed by TV and now practically inescapable Internet and social networks).

Recommended book to everyone.… (more)

Propaganda is a brief thesis on "the invisible hand (provided by the elite) that guides the masses towards order from chaos". Bernays, also known as the father of public relations, puts forth his ideas on how propaganda should be implemented in everything from business and politics (both the longest chapters in the book), as well as education, women's role in society, social work, and art and science.

Although written in 1928, it's still relevant today. From a historical standpoint, it's interesting to hear about the current personalities and events mentioned from this period. From the authors point of view on the subject, it's interesting to see his justifications for the use of propaganda and to compare and contrast it to today's use.… (more)