Ruling from the Shadows the Art of Public Manipulation

a reply to: AnakinWayneII

Interesting theory. I think it has more to do with the nature of wedge issues and pushing the buttons of the American people. These stories are like click-bait. They are designed to make the viewer outraged and angry. When people are in a heightened emotional state they are susceptible to be programmed by propaganda about political choices. Plus making people outraged by wedge issue stories is good for ratings. Rating equals money. I don't think they media has left bias. I think American people have a ratings bias towards left wing wedge issues.

In terms of getting the viewer into a heightened emotional state so they can be programmed by propaganda is outlined here:



For the interested reader:

The Crowd by Gustave Le Bon

Why are the most evil psychological manipulations coming from French researchers. What a bunch of evil jerks!

a reply to: dfnj2015

This is probably a better video on the topic:



Again, for the interested reader:

Propaganda The Formation Of Men's Attitudes Jacques Ellul

I understand for the twitter generation reading is like doing math problems for fun. But here is the link for what is referenced in the video.

a reply to: dfnj2015

I agree with you. On the front page of our local newspaper is a story about closing a major Asian nursing home. Where did they go; and mysteriously 7 people died. I guess this proves your point; at least I think it does.

a reply to: GeertrudeS

From my experience, the only way to defend yourself from the psychological manipulations of propaganda is to be aware of its existence. I would rather error on the side of being slightly paranoid about such things than to be manipulated in mindlessly echoing ideas from the center of my brain that I think are me thinking for myself.

a reply to: dfnj2015

Here's another really good shorter video on this subject. It might be more accessible to the twitter generation of instant gratification before all other considerations:



"We are all hardwired with many of the same traits."

To learn how we're being fooled, start with Edward Bernays, his relation to Sigmund Freud, his role during World War 2, his work for the CIA, then his work for marketing companies after.

People think they are immune to propaganda, and that's exactly what makes them susceptible to it. A lot of people laugh at how they may have been influenced by Russian propaganda during the last election. What they don't understand is that it's an exact science at this point. Subconsciously influencing people works so well that in marketing we can predict the effect an ad campaign will have down to 3%.

Which is why up to 30% of the cost of a new product is the marketing aspect of it. It's big business. And everyone has been surrounded by so much of it since the 1960s that they're blind to it at this point. I haven't owned a TV in over 10 years for this exact reason.

The entire world is a propaganda machine with people confined inside of it. And it's all by design. Only by learning the origins of it and understanding the power it has can we break free from it.

ETA: Just saw you posted an Edward Bernays video above

Just go back and look at the media before the change to the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2012, and after.

originally posted by: dfnj2015
I don't think they media has left bias. I think American people have a ratings bias towards left wing wedge issues.

I will read what you linked to. But, I need to take issue with your assertion that the media isn't left biased. It is, for the most part, left biased. That includes foreign media such as the BBC and the Guardian, etc. The fact is, most media are based in the largest cities where liberalism is the norm. The heads of media companies are tied to Hollywood (i.e., the entertainment business) and journalists come from universities where the professors are mostly socialists.

The media are the strongest force around us. They set the benchmark of what they want people to believe. Right now, networks like CNN and MSNBC are in driven by one mission and that is to make Trump look as bad as possible. They desperately want a Democrat in the White-house.

Anyone that sits and watches 24x7 news channels (including Fox) is being manipulated.

originally posted by: dfnj2015
a reply to: AnakinWayneII

Interesting theory. I think it has more to do with the nature of wedge issues and pushing the buttons of the American people. These stories are like click-bait. They are designed to make the viewer outraged and angry. When people are in a heightened emotional state they are susceptible to be programmed by propaganda about political choices. Plus making people outraged by wedge issue stories is good for ratings. Rating equals money. I don't think they media has left bias. I think American people have a ratings bias towards left wing wedge issues.

In terms of getting the viewer into a heightened emotional state so they can be programmed by propaganda is outlined here:

Interesting subject and yes, scary as hell.

The only defense we have against it is continual self-reflection and inquiry into our own personal biases and fears. This survival skill isn't taught in schools but it's vital for individuals to be truly FREE. Free from influence from bad actors. Edward Bernays, advertings, internet 'bubble filters', etc all aim to 'adjust' our thoughts and feelings for the benefit of xxxxx.

I'd recommend the documentary "The Great Hack' for a contemporary morality tail and the book "The Bubble Filter" for a look at how big internet winnows our viewpoint down to a 'silo' that doesn't challenge our irrational beliefs.

For the interested reader:

The Crowd by Gustave Le Bon

Why are the most evil psychological manipulations coming from French researchers. What a bunch of evil jerks!

a reply to: dfnj2015
The fact that you don’t think MSM is biased to the left and your post history makes me discount about anything you could possibly say on the subject. I rarely watch the news but when I do it’s easy to see the propaganda regardless if it’s CNN,MSNBC or FOX. There’s no doubt that people are being programmed and brainwashed but there’s still many of us that can see it for what it is. Thankfully not everybody’s critical thinkers are broken but sadly a large majority of people today couldn’t think their way out of a paper bag.

If you are unable to see the media’s bias for the left you may want to step back and reassess your own personal assertions as to why you think it’s not. Just saying.

In conclusion:
Do we revolt and put our so called leaders necks under the guillotine?
Or do we just eat their bs and live like a bunchvof zombies?

a reply to: dfnj2015

Truth in advertising?

If you are interested in this take a few College level Marketing Classes, and pay special attention to the history of marketing, it's all propaganda.
underwerks said it best "start with Edward Bernays, his relation to Sigmund Freud, his role during World War 2, his work for the CIA, then his work for marketing companies after."

Forewarned is forearmed, just to realize that there are attempts to manipulate the people should be enough to help avoid that manipulation to some degree.

originally posted by: mtnshredder
a reply to: dfnj2015
The fact that you don’t think MSM is biased to the left and your post history makes me discount about anything you could possibly say on the subject. I rarely watch the news but when I do it’s easy to see the propaganda regardless if it’s CNN,MSNBC or FOX. There’s no doubt that people are being programmed and brainwashed but there’s still many of us that can see it for what it is. Thankfully not everybody’s critical thinkers are broken but sadly a large majority of people today couldn’t think their way out of a paper bag.

If you are unable to see the media’s bias for the left you may want to step back and reassess your own personal assertions as to why you think it’s not. Just saying.

And I, for one, think the MS Media is right biased on a whole. Now who is succumbing to external manipulation and conditioning. Where are your sources of facts and where does their funding come from? Do you know?

I agree mostly with these two posts. I used to watch all kinds of typical network TV including Fox News, but I got sick of the constant drum-beating on both sides during the 2012 election (and worse since 2016) and only check MSM sites if something newsworthy is happening like a natural disaster or other breaking news. It's easy to fall into a mindset if you're watching it constantly. People try to say it doesn't happen, that you only act the way you would normally but if that were true cults wouldn't exist.

What I disagree with is the notion from the OP that the MSM isn't left-leaning. They most certainly are and some have fallen off the cliff.

originally posted by: LogicalGraphitti

originally posted by: dfnj2015
I don't think they media has left bias. I think American people have a ratings bias towards left wing wedge issues.

I will read what you linked to. But, I need to take issue with your assertion that the media isn't left biased. It is, for the most part, left biased. That includes foreign media such as the BBC and the Guardian, etc. The fact is, most media are based in the largest cities where liberalism is the norm. The heads of media companies are tied to Hollywood (i.e., the entertainment business) and journalists come from universities where the professors are mostly socialists.

The media are the strongest force around us. They set the benchmark of what they want people to believe. Right now, networks like CNN and MSNBC are in driven by one mission and that is to make Trump look as bad as possible. They desperately want a Democrat in the White-house.

Anyone that sits and watches 24x7 news channels (including Fox) is being manipulated.

a reply to: dfnj2015
The fact that you don’t think MSM is biased to the left and your post history makes me discount about anything you could possibly say on the subject. I rarely watch the news but when I do it’s easy to see the propaganda regardless if it’s CNN,MSNBC or FOX. There’s no doubt that people are being programmed and brainwashed but there’s still many of us that can see it for what it is. Thankfully not everybody’s critical thinkers are broken but sadly a large majority of people today couldn’t think their way out of a paper bag.

If you are unable to see the media’s bias for the left you may want to step back and reassess your own personal assertions as to why you think it’s not. Just saying.

And I, for one, think the MS Media is right biased on a whole. Now who is succumbing to external manipulation and conditioning. Where are your sources of facts and where does their funding come from? Do you know?

You're joking, right? Try researching things at the source instead of getting information from the MSM. That should show you just how left-biased the MSM is. If you believe the MSM is right-biased you must be even further left than the MSM.

a reply to: dfnj2015

Be aware is a good step but every so often you have to unplug the constant access to24/7 broadcasting makes it fiendishly easy to sway people.

I know for me every so often I have to unplug, stay away from news, TV etc and focus more on interacting with people around me in the real world rather than the digital interactions.

a reply to: Irishhaf

Being aware of it is good, it helps, but other people are like agent smith sometimes, even if you stay away from the propaganda, friends and family will bring it to you.

Quite clever really...

No escaping, but it can be fought.

And remember, you are a programmed individual, we all are. So reboot. And do it again. And again.

a reply to: dfnj2015

I remember reading Freuds book when I was 15 years old or so, and thinking man this guy sure was popular with overweight women and rich bored housewives. And also his critique of his contemporaries and others that came before him. And then you read his contemporaries and others critique on Freud. And round and round it went even back in the 1800s.

But ya, most of that stuff would also work with great masses of people as well as bored housewifes, and those who don't know that they are easily and can be easily manipulated are those who are most easily manipulated.

But such has been the times for a while now. Everybody has an agenda, it seems, even if that agenda is but an opinion and theory held in high regard, but most do it because? Well cash incentives right.

The mysteries of the mind never cease to express themselves in idiocies, all throughout the ages. Or so it seems.

originally posted by: HalWesten

And I, for one, think the MS Media is right biased on a whole. Now who is succumbing to external manipulation and conditioning. Where are your sources of facts and where does their funding come from? Do you know?

You're joking, right? Try researching things at the source instead of getting information from the MSM. That should show you just how left-biased the MSM is. If you believe the MSM is right-biased you must be even further left than the MSM.

Well, my research, does not support that (left biased) assessment. And yes, on a whole, I can be considered left of center on most social issues; however on most fiscal issues I tend to the conservative - in the true sense of the word. Meaning 'to conserve value.

originally posted by: LogicalGraphitti

originally posted by: dfnj2015
I don't think they media has left bias. I think American people have a ratings bias towards left wing wedge issues.

I will read what you linked to. But, I need to take issue with your assertion that the media isn't left biased. It is, for the most part, left biased. That includes foreign media such as the BBC and the Guardian, etc. The fact is, most media are based in the largest cities where liberalism is the norm. The heads of media companies are tied to Hollywood (i.e., the entertainment business) and journalists come from universities where the professors are mostly socialists.
The media are the strongest force around us. They set the benchmark of what they want people to believe. Right now, networks like CNN and MSNBC are in driven by one mission and that is to make Trump look as bad as possible. They desperately want a Democrat in the White-house.
Anyone that sits and watches 24x7 news channels (including Fox) is being manipulated.

The media is all owned by Republicans. You will never hear any channel organize strikes or supporting labor rights. You will never hear any channel running stories that really expose someone paying for advertising in a bad light. It's rigged to be a certain way.

As I said, I don't think it's left wing at all. What I said is they are driven by profits. And they will say anything just to get ratings. It's about making money. Ratings equals money. So I don't think they are left-wing at all. What they are is good at saying click-bait fake news crap that get's people like you riled up and angry so you keep watching.