Reading the articles "Manipulating Public Opinion" and "The Disenchanted Man" made me really angry. First of all, in the Bernay's article, he says, "The manipulation of the public mind, which is so marked a characteristic of society today, serves a social purpose. This manipulation serves to gain acceptance for new ideas." My problem with these sentences lie in the word manipulation. It's an ugly word and it makes me think of evil things. I understand that as a society, we should look to new ideas with an open mind. If we didn't do that this world would be in even worse shape than it is. My problem is that I don't need someone using manipulation to make me come around. If I want to open my mind to a new idea, I will. It's that simple. A ridiculous public relations campaign isn't going to make me think that President Bush is a smart man or that Tom Cruise isn't a nut bar. The fact of the matter is, what you see is what you get. If the President goes in front of the world and says something like "Fool me once, shame on you, fool me--can't get fooled again" the damage has been done. I'm not going to forget what he said and I should hope no one else would either (if only for the simple fact that it's pretty damn funny!). PR campaigns don't wash away memories.
The Lippman article disturbed me just as much as Bernay's did. The article says that "the ideal of a citizenry being well informed through the news was unrealistic." Well no shit! If I wanted to be more informed, I would find a way. Don't try to tell me that a ridiculous PR campaign is going to inform me with strictly truths. That's the biggest load of crap spewed forth since....well forever. The Lippman article goes on to say that, "Even this degree of responsible understanding is only attainable by the development of fact-finding agencies of great scope and complexity." And just as I'm starting to agree... "Their findings are too intricate for the casual reader." And we're back to being stupid!
I don't know who the hell these articles were aimed at. Probably PR people. It's a nice pat on the back to fellow PR men (and women). Hey man! Great job on that manipulation of thought! I couldn't have done it better myself! I can coerce and/or persuade my boyfriend into anything, but it doesn't mean I am right in doing so. I'm not helping the greater good, I'm merely getting what I want. In the case of Public Relations, people aren't out to make the world a better place, they are making a name for themselves and some money too. And lord help those who enter into the PR world to help. I fear that somewhere down the road, they will see it as a corrupt buisness, much the way I do.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
The truth is, that everyone uses manipulation in some way, shape, or form. You do it, I do it.. everyone does it. However, it does not always need to be an "evil thing."
If you think about it, just writing your anger out on the blog is sort of a "manipulation tool" to make us view your opinion and take in what you say, in hopes to make it our own opinion.
The fact is, that by trying to manipulate the masses, it doesn't matter if people feel the way you do and are angered by the thought of it, what matters is the fact that there are many people who will be manipulated and fall for whatever the "important" people are saying anyway.
Post a Comment