102 | Edward Bernays (The Father of Propaganda)

What if your thoughts and opinions were engineered? Let's dive into a propaganda rabbit hole. How propaganda (aka public relations) and algorithmic incentives hijack emotion, flatten nuance, and train us to spread messages for free. Starting with Aristotle’s ethos, pathos, and logos, we explore how Edward Bernays retooled persuasion into a system that borrows authority, attaches positive symbols, and weaponizes social proof. From WWI slogans to Torches of Freedom, from 'bacon and eggs' to the...