" The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. " ~ Edward Bernays

submitted by JasonCarswell from self.quotes

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" The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of. This is a logical result of the way in which our democratic society is organized. Vast numbers of human beings must cooperate in this manner if they are to live together as a smoothly functioning society. "

~ Edward Bernays, Propaganda (1928), p. 37

https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Edward_Bernays#Propaganda_(1928)

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[–][deleted] 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (1 child)

This quote was from a time when there were thousands independant journals and newspapers. The 'invisible government' had to be developed by buying up journals and newspapers under a tiny handful of parent companies, making sure they all operated at a loss to prevent competition and selecting their editors from a single body, The Council on Foreign Relations.

But since the internet a postmodern approach has developed in addition to the above. Now they analyse independent media and deconstruct its terminology to create topological anti-type versions of it ranging from conspiracy theories to viral videos as well as mainstream articles. The purpose being to frustrate attempts by factions and subcultures to communicate with each other.

[–]JasonCarswell[S] 1 insightful - 2 fun1 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

Great analysis! A+++ Saved!