Imagine living in a world where the thoughts and opinions of the masses are not their own, but rather, meticulously crafted and manipulated by a hidden force. Edward Bernays, a controversial figure in political thought and public relations, delves into this unsettling concept in his book, "Propaganda". Narrated by the captivating voice of Grover Gardner, this audiobook reveals the groundbreaking techniques Bernays pioneered to shape public opinion – a process he aptly named the "engineering of consent".
An influential player in the US Committee on Public Information during World War I, Bernays was instrumental in the creation of a powerful propaganda machine. This apparatus was designed to cleverly package and sell the war as an endeavor that would "Make the World Safe for Democracy" to the American people. Little did they know that they were being subjected to the blueprint for future marketing strategies of war.
Drawing upon his experience in the committee, Bernays fused his knowledge with the ideas of Walter Lipmann, emerging as a staunch advocate for propaganda as a tool for democratic and corporate manipulation of the population. In his bombshell of a book, "Propaganda", published in 1928, he astoundingly predicts the future of propaganda in governing government, politics, art, science, and education. Listening to this audiobook today is a chilling realization of the orchestrated manipulation that pervades our present-day governmental and business institutions.
With a rating of 4.4 out of 5, and a length of 4 hours and 43 minutes, this audiobook will captivate listeners and ignite contemplation about the depths of influence lurking beneath the surface of our society. So tune in, and prepare for a journey into the profound world of Edward Bernays' "Propaganda".