The Life and Work of Edward Bernays

Lee Scheier will speak on the topic, The Life and Work of Edward Bernays: the Father of the Public Relations and Advertising Industry in America and the Use of Propaganda to Control the Minds of Americans.  Although Edward Bernays, the nephew of Sigmund Freud, was chosen by Life Magazine as one of the 100 most influential Americans of the 20^th century, he is not known by most of us.  Bernays is considered to be the father of the field of Public Relations.  In his book, Propaganda, he espouses his belief in manipulating and controlling the minds of the masses and that the use of propaganda is necessary in a democracy.  Edward Bernays, could very well be the originator of the use of false and fake news in America.

Lee Scheier is a journalist, researcher, educator and playwright.  Originally from New York City, he moved to Chicago in 1987.  As a journalist he wrote many stories for the Chicago Tribune, mostly for the Sunday magazine, including many long feature cover stories. He also wrote for Chicago Magazine and other publications.  His play, Transference, was produced at the Mercury Theater in Chicago.  From his journalism work he developed a love of researching stories, which has led to his work as a lecturer.  He spoke to us in January of last year on the topic, The History of the Eugenics Movement in the U.S. and in May of last year on the topic, Dark Money: The Billionaire Businessmen Koch Brothers’ Successful Mission to Turn America to the Right.

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