The Magician’s Nephew

In November, 1928, Edward L. Bernays (nephew to Sigmund Freud), published his seminal work, Propaganda: The Public Mind in the Making. This book illustrated how a deeper understanding of human psychology may be used by a small group of people to rule and control a larger group of people under the guise of personal freedom and democracy. Everyone should read it.

In the time of old magic

Bernays gathered

A cadre of conspirators

And invisible benefactors

To devise the strategy

For mass manipulation.

His uncle’s influence helped

Unlock the desires

And motivations

Necessary

To sway public opinion

In the proper direction

Required

For democracy to endure

In a perpetual state

Of conspicuous consumption

And compliance,

Ensuring we remain

Under the enchanted influence

Of his darkest, ancient spell,

An incantation that insists:

“If I give you a choice

You believe you act freely.”