Your mind has been made up for you; Are you okay with that?

BY: SIMONE JENNIFER SMITH

“No serious sociologist any longer believes that the voice of the people expresses any divine or specially wise and lofty idea. The voice of the people expresses the mind of the people, and that mind is made up for it by the group leaders in whom it believes and by those persons who understand the manipulation of public opinion.”

(Edward Bernays)

You may have to read this quote a few times for it to truly make sense. Please do because understanding this quote is imperative to understanding what this article is all about. When I first started writing for the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper, I was delighted that I would have the opportunity to use my passion for writing in a way that would help my community. This journey has been both startling and disturbing in some senses because I realize that media truly has a dark side. It is unfortunate that many of us ignore this reality, and are drawn to fake news, negative imagery and false propaganda. It is important that I bring light to the fact that many of us are unaware of how powerful the media truly is, and how much it has a control over what we think and feel. We are unaware that there are powers that control and dictate not only how we think, but also how we feel.

We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of.

(Edward Bernays)

I know that many of you truly believe that you are in control of your thoughts. It is a lofty belief that I have to challenge. Many of your egos will not be able to handle what I am prepared to deliver, and that is okay. My goal is to present this information in a way that alters the way you receive information from media sources. First things first, you have to really take in the fact that you are not in control. This can change, but it needs to be acknowledged. I have utilized quotes from Edward Bernays who happens to be the nephew of Sigmund Freud deemed to be the Father of Psychology. Edward Bernays studied his uncle’s work and learned how to use the media to control people’s thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. His book ‘Propaganda’ became infamous and has been studied by communication and business students because it provides a comprehensive breakdown of exactly how he helped many popular companies make millions of dollars by manipulating the masses.

“Men (people) are rarely aware of the real reasons which motivate their actions.”

(Edward Bernays)

Are you aware of what truly motivates you? Edward Bernays proved in his book that many of us are not. We take on this, “I don’t care,” mentality and live our lives without a thought to why we do certain things. Why do we have to buy the latest iPhone? Why do we have to purchase our child the latest toy that comes out? Well, the answer is simple. The media suggests it, and you thoughtlessly follow the suggestion without a second thought.

“It is asked whether, in fact, the leader makes propaganda, or whether propaganda makes the leader. There is a widespread impression that a good press agent can puff up a nobody into a great man.”

(Edward Bernays)

We glorify our sports heroes, follow Instagram stars and quote people who the media has presented as being credible or worthy of notoriety. What needs to be made clear is that these unseen forces, however, you would like to think of them, decide who is to become popular. This is the reason for this undeserved attention that is directed toward people who truly do not deserve the spotlight.

My work at the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper is of great importance because I believe in their vision; it is a vision of delivering information that is meant to uplift the community and provide them with the resources needed to live productive and enjoyable lives. I hope that this article has been insightful, and I encourage you to like, share and comment on the information that has been delivered.