Media Control

The Spectacular Achievements of Propaganda

By: Noam Chomsky

Narrated by: Noam Chomsky

Noam Chomsky’s backpocket classic on wartime propaganda and opinion control begins by asserting two models of democracy - one in which the public actively participates, and one in which the public is manipulated and controlled. According to Chomsky, "propaganda is to democracy as the bludgeon is to a totalitarian state", and the mass media is the primary vehicle for delivering propaganda in the United States. From an examination of how Woodrow Wilson’s Creel Commission "succeeded, within six months, in turning a pacifist population into a hysterical, war-mongering population", to Bush Sr.'s war on Iraq, Chomsky examines how the mass media and public relations industries have been used as propaganda to generate public support for going to war.

Chomsky further touches on how the modern public relations industry has been influenced by Walter Lippmann’s theory of "spectator democracy," in which the public is seen as a "bewildered herd" that needs to be directed, not empowered; and how the public relations industry in the United States focuses on "controlling the public mind," and not on informing it. Media Control is an invaluable primer on the secret workings of disinformation in democratic societies.

©2002 Noam Chomsky (P)2013 Random House Audio

Classic Chomsky

A masterpiece of analysis by linguistic philosopher and political critic & scholar. Historical lineage of US propaganda.

Profoundly incite full and appalling

The fact that this information is new to some of us is a testament to the propaganda machine in our supposedly free country. The viewpoints that we are allowed to hear are very narrow and hence our world view is extremely myopic and distorted.

Good intro

For those not familiar with Chomsky this is a good introduction. I enjoyed listening to him and wanted to revisit some of the texts I have read in the past. Chomsky is timeless.

Enlightening

Recommended listening for those who have been kept in the dark by our mainstream media.

Media Control

essential reading for todays time, vividly explains how the media uses propaganda to control the masses.

Holy shit!?$

Talk about needing to be listened to at least thrice. Chomsky never disappoints. The level of propaganda being inflicted on the masses during the current pandemic perhaps wishes that no one gets within earshot of such truths that Chomsky brings forth. Highly informative and thought provoking.

A voice for the bewildered herd

Noam is a brilliant man who I wouldn't describe as ahead of his time (given his age and life experience), he's just very good at taking an objective look at the world we live in. He hits the nail on the head every time he opens his mouth and has helped me and many others *snap out if it*. You're a huge inspiration and I thank you for devoting so much of your life to educating the public and revealing the truth!

Lectures are always nicer

This is pulled from a lecture so there's not much to say. In a typical Chomsky fashion, we follow his process of discovering how details of the system is running things and creates a path for asking ourselves better questions.

A great introduction to Chomsky

Chomsky in an hour is better than a year of most current events magazines. Just a little annoyed that his books are mostly transcribed lectures but gold nonetheless.

An important perspective.

Mr. Chomsky covers many examples of inconsistency in our foreign and domestic policies. He paints an America willingly deceived by the ruling class and a media industry compromised by its own corporate interests. He does admit this all happens under more freedom than most other countries in the world. Honestly, what is new. Human beings, all of us, weave stories about ourselves and others that suit our interests. The only variable is to what degree. When a majority of us become true competent followers of the truth, when we grow up as a species, if we get there, we will create better governments and a better world.