Group Psychology: Manipulating the Masses

The question each man or woman should consider, but seldom will, is "are they part of the herd or an individual.  Most think they go thru life as independent creatures making their own decision, when in fact they are just part of various groups and allowing others to shape and influence almost every thing they do.

From the 1929 Book Propaganda, by Edward Bernays, the nephew of Sigmund Freud.

"The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society.  Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of socieity constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country.  We are governed, our minds molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of . .  .in almost every act of our daily lives, whether in the sphere of politics or business, in our social conduct or our ethical thinking, we are dominated by the relatively small number of persons . . .who understand the mental processess and social patterns of the masses.  It is they who pull the wires which control the public mind, who harness old social forces and contrive new ways to bind and guide the world."

For a more detailed look at this manipulation, in a wonderfully edited 11 minute and 50 second video, I'd recommend the Academy of Ideas on Group Psychology.  The Academy is neither right nor left, Dem or GOP, conservative or liberal.  It is a group of "free" thinkers that present the very most balanced perspectives on hundreds of different topics.

My advice to all:   Be the Stallion and not part of the herd.  If you're not the lead dog in the pack, your scenery in life never changes.