We're Done.

I believe that Bernays' statement from 1928 is a little outdated for today. However, I do feel there is a redeeming notion. It still holds true today for some that the role of the woman is to supplement the man. In today's culture, I believe it would be better stated this way: "The role of women allows men to succeed in the world today by caring for all the tedious details that would not otherwise be given a second thought. This also testifies that women also play the enabling role for men through pleasurable activities." While behind every great man there is a great woman, this does not mean that the woman is inferior to the man.

I agree with Bernay's statement that American Motion Pictures are carriers of propoganda. I believe this statement is very true because the movie industry holds very high power with the size of audience it captures. Going to the movies is an ordinary source of entertainment for many people. Those people who attend the movies are exposed to not just the flick, but all the junk intertwined within. There are so many messages hidden in movies today that persuade the audience.
If there is high demand for a movie coming out, you can bet upon major corporations paying for advertisement spots during the previews. This is a very wide media outlet. If the market is high for a particular trend, millions of people will be exposed. They will see this propoganda and more than likely be affected by it, too. I definitely think all motion pictures our outlets for propoganda. And because they are rated and only so many people review and edit them before being displayed, there is a lot of room for propagandists to work with.

I completely agree with the assessment of film in America by Bernays. However, I do not believe "the greatest unconscious carrier of propaganda" really relates well to the "documentaries" of Michael Moore. I feel like movies such as his pose an obvious meaning, and anybody watching them is much more consciously aware of his propaganda filled films. On the other hand, I believe Bernays relates much closer to certain cultural aspects in film like smoking cigarettes and even buying a certain car, and these are more likely to be viewed as "normal" in the viewer's mind. Its not these subtle product placements that are sometimes hard to view, but occasionally there are certain themes like shopping on Black Friday in the movies that affect the unconscious mind much more.

Picture Shows

Bernays wrote in 1928, "The American motion picture is the greatest unconscious carrier of propaganda in the world today. It is a great distributor for ideas and opinions. The motion picture can standardize the ideas and habits of a nation. Because pictures are made to meet market demands, they reflect, emphasize and even exaggerate broad popular tendencies, rather than stimulate new ideas and opinions."

Does this statement ring true?