Ep 7 | Redefining Truth: The Man Behind the Rise of 'Expert' Propaganda | The Beck Story

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Aug 3, 2024

Edward Bernays, hailed as a pioneer in public relations and known for his mass manipulation techniques, shares insights into his controversial career. He discusses how he reshaped consumer habits, including promoting breakfast foods and challenging smoking norms for women. The impact of his methods on U.S. foreign policy, particularly in Guatemala, highlights the dangers of propaganda. The conversation also delves into the ethics of modern manipulation, the legacy of Bernays in shaping public trust, and the vital balance between expertise and personal agency.

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ANECDOTE

Wag the Dog and Reality

The 1998 movie Wag the Dog depicted a president using a fake war to distract from a sex scandal.
Real-life events mirrored this plot during the Clinton administration, blurring the lines between satire and reality.

INSIGHT

The Rise of Spin

The public's default assumption is that messaging, especially from the government, is spin.
This cynicism stems from the progressive deference to experts, creating a culture of manipulation.

ANECDOTE

Bacon and Eggs

Edward Bernays boosted bacon sales by convincing doctors to endorse hearty breakfasts.
This tactic, bypassing direct product promotion, shifted American breakfast habits.

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In 1990, Life magazine named Edward Bernays on its list of the 100 most important Americans of the 20th century. Yet few Americans have ever heard of Bernays. He was an early innovator in the field of public relations who pioneered techniques of mass manipulation that, among many things, altered the consumer habits of Americans and even toppled a Central American government. This final episode of Season 1 examines how Bernays helped create the progressive deference to experts in government, which also created a larger culture of experts affecting — and often manipulating — all areas of our life.

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