Walter Lippmann's term "public opinion" is a century old and one of his lesser peers at the time was Edward Bernays, who literally wrote the book on "Propaganda" in 1928, and shepherded many of these post WWII corporate public relations efforts. At least Bernays curbed the excesses of some of his German fans--who were influenced by his t…
Walter Lippmann's term "public opinion" is a century old and one of his lesser peers at the time was Edward Bernays, who literally wrote the book on "Propaganda" in 1928, and shepherded many of these post WWII corporate public relations efforts. At least Bernays curbed the excesses of some of his German fans--who were influenced by his thinking in the '30s and 40s--when he represented tobacco and other industries in the 50s and 60s. While it is unfair to compare the consequences of Bernays (and others) PR efforts in the US, to the 1930-40 German implementation of his ideas, the long term results of Bernays PR tactics do rhyme with the outcome of the German propaganda tragedy . Because while the propaganda tools were more subtle, millions still died because people lied.
And here we are sixty years after the 1960s, with digital targeting tools, AI created messaging and faux videos on the horizon. What a frightening playground for the new practitioners of deceit. I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT DAY!
Was actually having a pretty good one. Until that last paragraph! Would like to say 'thanks", but think I'll just go on and have that 5 o'clock Highball now instead.
Walter Lippmann's term "public opinion" is a century old and one of his lesser peers at the time was Edward Bernays, who literally wrote the book on "Propaganda" in 1928, and shepherded many of these post WWII corporate public relations efforts. At least Bernays curbed the excesses of some of his German fans--who were influenced by his thinking in the '30s and 40s--when he represented tobacco and other industries in the 50s and 60s. While it is unfair to compare the consequences of Bernays (and others) PR efforts in the US, to the 1930-40 German implementation of his ideas, the long term results of Bernays PR tactics do rhyme with the outcome of the German propaganda tragedy . Because while the propaganda tools were more subtle, millions still died because people lied.
And here we are sixty years after the 1960s, with digital targeting tools, AI created messaging and faux videos on the horizon. What a frightening playground for the new practitioners of deceit. I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT DAY!
After reading this, how can I possibly avoid it?
Was actually having a pretty good one. Until that last paragraph! Would like to say 'thanks", but think I'll just go on and have that 5 o'clock Highball now instead.