Last week was the birth anniversary of Sigmund Freud
(1856-1939), the father of psychoanalysis. And Google rightly devoted a doodle
to him.
Freud had a lot of controversial accomplishments, some of
which are highly debated even today. But what people sometimes fail to
acknowledge, is the indirect impact Freud has had on almost everything we as a
people witness in today's times.
Now now! Doesn't that make him an extremely interesting man
to study! And you may ask how he has influenced us so much. So let me take you
back in history a bit and explain the phenomenon in the crispiest way possible.
Sigmund Freud's nephew Edward Bernays combined the ideas of
'crowd psychology' along with the psychoanalytical ideas of his uncle, to
invent 'propaganda'. In contemporary times, we know 'propaganda' as 'Public
Relations' (PR).
Sigmund Freud (left) and Edward Bernays
As a publicist, I often say, we are living in a world where
perception is reality. Think about it. Don't we all blindly believe in what we
read and are told. Who has the time to research and investigate facts!
Earlier journalists used to do that as the torch-bearers of
society. But in times of paid media, combined with research via the phone and
Google (and less of field work), contemporary journalists are fast losing those
traits. So let me take the liberty to repeat my favourite line: We are living
in a world where perception is reality. A world driven by PR.
And who started the fire? Naughty Freud and spin doctor
Bernays. ;-) #FoodForThought
About the Author:
Dale Bhagwagar is a PR
specialist with branding, image consultancy, strategizing, media manipulation,
crisis management and mentorship for media students. He has handled the
publicity for more than 150 Bollywood actors and 30 movies, apart from being a
spokesperson and publicist to 20 Bigg Boss contestants.
