Internal Guidance

It is worthwhile to learn about Edward Bernays, especially if you are reaching for greater self-awareness.  He is the guy who wrote the book on propaganda, literally.  He worked with our government, cigarette companies, and many other entities to transform the way people thought when it came to buying products, ideas, and even values.  He developed his techniques on the structure of his uncle, Sigmund Freud, psychological research and theories.  This is why advertisement appeals to our desires of sex in extreme ways with unrelated products.  The most amazing thing about it is how well it works, even still to today.  Ever since his revolutionary technique was introduced to the masses, the world of consumerism has been kicked into an uncontrollable over drive.  Everybody feels the anxiety of needing more things that we don’t need, even when we are aware that we don’t need it.  It has transformed our sense to believe that is the way to happiness and social acceptance. 

That was the first great impact these techniques had, but there is more.

Edward Bernays worked with our government during the cold war.  At that time, the government was trying to figure out what to do about the masses level of fear.  Bernays suggested that their fears could be encouraged and manipulated to have the desired effects.  This is why communism became an exploited fear in the 1950s.  It was used against Guatemala with the help of C.I.A. agent Howard Hunt, and Bernays’ own news company, The Middle American Information Bureau.  Once the people believed Guatemala to be a threatening communistic neighbor, the bombs could drop without internal opposition. 

These methods are still being used today.  Our desires and fears are strings that are easily pulled.  I can’t figure out whether it is unrealized by the masses or just accepted as our way of doing business.  Most of my friends are content with being absorbed by television and video games.  When I try to talk to them about things that clearly matter more than staring at flashing pixels, they make condescending remarks and label me as “one of THOSE guys”.  Meanwhile, people are suffering in ways unimaginable due to our ignorance and or apathy.  This is what people mean when they say that many people are not awake or aware.  If you take offense to that, then it means that deep down you know it to be true in yourself, but your constructed identity is defending itself.  Most of us are just a result of manipulation, and that is a hard reality to swallow.

Wake up.