INSOMNIA STREAM： BUY THE FEELS EDITION
Stream Summary
This stream examines the rise of consumerism and the manipulation of public opinion through advertising, propaganda, and psychological techniques. The host reviews the documentary “The Century of the Self,” focusing on Edward Bernays, Sigmund Freud, and the development of public relations. The discussion covers how emotional appeals, planned obsolescence, and mass media have shaped Western culture, politics, and personal identity, with examples from advertising, television, and historical events.
- Review of “The Century of the Self” documentary and the legacy of Edward Bernays
- Analysis of propaganda, public relations, and the engineering of consent
- Discussion of planned obsolescence and consumer psychology
- Exploration of emotional marketing, product placement, and the creation of desire
- Critique of mass democracy, social control, and the manipulation of the masses
- Audience questions about media, advertising, and cultural change
Sources
Key Points of Wisdom
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[00:12:59]
“Bernays and Freud basically messed up the West. But then they try to...I don't know if it's because they realized what they had done at the end. Well, you'll see. You'll see at the end we'll you and I will come to a much different conclusion.”
On the unintended consequences of psychological manipulation.
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[00:29:07]
“The idea that smoking actually made women freer was completely irrational, but it made them feel more independent. It meant that irrelevant objects could become powerful emotional symbols of how you wanted to be seen by others.”
On emotional marketing and the creation of desire.
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[01:13:19]
“What was needed was a new elite who could manage what he called the bewildered herd. This would be done through psychological techniques that would control the unconscious feelings of the mass.”
On the rise of technocratic social control.
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[01:16:28]
“By stimulating people's inner desires and then seating them with consumer products, he was creating a new way to manage the irrational force of the masses. He called it the engineering of consent.”
On the manipulation of democracy and public opinion.
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[01:21:16]
“At its heart was the consuming self, which not only made the economy work, but was happy and docile and so created a stable society.”
On the link between consumerism and social stability.
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[01:24:41]
“If you can keep stimulating the irrational self, then leadership can basically go on doing what it wants to do.”
On the use of distraction and desire to maintain power.
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[01:28:50]
“It's almost like they're like you have a laser pointer. And you're flashing it around the room and watching some cat chase it. Like an idiot. And expecting that cat to like help you make decisions.”
On the manipulation of the masses and the illusion of agency.
Hyperchat Summary
- Audience discussed the influence of advertising, propaganda, and public relations on culture and politics.
- Questions about planned obsolescence, product placement, and the psychology of consumerism.
- Commentary on the manipulation of public opinion, polling, and the engineering of consent.
- Personal anecdotes about advertising, media, and cultural change.
- Requests for reviews of films, TV shows, and historical documentaries.
- Lighthearted exchanges about music, technology, and daily life.
Hyperchat Contributors
- Mark ESPY
- Jay Ray 1981
- Billy Fighter
- White Tiger Kingdom
- Cause
- Tipsy Mcstay Egger
- Lucid Nebula
- Harmless G
- Graham Playing Games
- Volums
- Retired Fighter
- Flatulent Fill
- Fergus Moore
- Walliams
- Damn Bigfoot
- Guy in Japan
- Become Who You Are
- Slipstream
- Others (see transcript for full list)