[cripplecreek]

One of Bernays’ favorite techniques for manipulating public opinion was the indirect use of “third party authorities” to plead his clients’ causes. “If you can influence the leaders, either with or without their conscious cooperation, you automatically influence the group which they sway”, he said.

Kinda like Obama handing out lab coats for photo ops with doctors. Bernays originated the concept.

(I does love my bacon tho)

[cripplecreek]

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 society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. ...We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of. This is a logical result of the way in which our democratic society is organized. Vast numbers of human beings must cooperate in this manner if they are to live together as a smoothly functioning society. ...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 processes and social patterns of the masses. It is they who pull the wires which control the public mind.

-Edward Bernays

[combat_boots]

“Animal Spirits: How Human Psychology Drives the Economy, and Why It Matters for Global Capitalism” (Beck talked about this book over a year ago, IIRC.
George A. Akerlof. Robert J. Shiller
http://www.amazon.com/Animal-Spirits-Psychology-Economy-Capitalism/dp/069114592X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1294957122&sr=8-1