Thanks for the link to GM's Futurama Chris. I hadn't seen that. And thanks for reminding me of Adam Curtis' documentary - the entire 4 part series The Century of Self is worth watching.?It shows vividly the intertwining of Freud's?psychoanalysis?(as they were promoted in the US & Great Britain) with Big Business, the political conflicts of the day and the idea of controling the darker impulses of the masses.
I agree that it useful in understanding some of how we, in the US at least, got to where we are today in terms of media influence, identity as consumer,?and politics by focus group. Interesting note: in part 2: Engineering of Consent it talks about returning WW2 combat soldiers reporting a figure of 49% as suffering from "mental problems" and how they were treated by refugee psychoanalists from Europe. For more on Bernays in print, Stuart Ewen's PR! A social history of spin is worth reading. (Ewen is featured in the documentary.) Steven Hall Butte Community College, Oroville, CA CSU-Chico [email protected] --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([email protected])
