Similar to the “Arithmetic, Population, and Energy” video, this series ranks right up there as a “Must Watch.” I was fortunate enough to find and watch this a couple years ago on Youtube (before its removal), and rediscovered it this week – so I wanted to share it with all of you.
I’ll let the Wikipedia description summarize the series (it does so perfectly):
“This series is about how those in power have used Freud’s theories to try and control the dangerous crowd in an age of mass democracy.” —Adam Curtis’ introduction to the first episode.
The series describes the propaganda that Western governments and corporations have utilized stemming from Freud’s theories.
Along these general themes, The Century of the Self asks deeper questions about the roots and methods of modern consumerism, representative democracy, commodification and its implications. It also questions the modern way we see ourselves, the attitudes to fashion and superficiality.
The Century of the Self: Engineering of Consent
http://www.mojvideo.com/video-the-century-of-the-self-the-engineering-of-consent-1-5/6d93daeb5363e5e7a0c2
The Century of the Self: Happiness Machines
http://www.mojvideo.com/video-the-century-of-the-self-happiness-machines-1-5/b51dafc9f3d7d50014d9
http://www.mojvideo.com/video-the-century-of-the-self-happiness-machines-2-5/fefab156649f373eaf03
http://www.mojvideo.com/video-the-century-of-the-self-happiness-machines-3-5/18b0ca7364428bc441f7
http://www.mojvideo.com/video-the-century-of-the-self-happiness-machines-4-5/a35ec5b397f0c9800aeb
http://www.mojvideo.com/video-the-century-of-the-self-happiness-machines-5-5/608d0b4ef61d74296aa7
Enjoy!