Third footnote to the post titled “Believe an Expert”

“New Propagandists” are the “invisible string-pullers” or “invisible government” to borrow from Bernays. The people look up to presidents, congress, and media for guidance. But in turn, presidents, congress, and media turn to “New Propagandists” for guidance. Appearance-wise, the fate of nations is decided by the interactions between public figures and public personalities and de jure governments. But in reality, the fate of nations can be decided at a dinner table or an email by individuals or “New Propagandists” who are largely unknown to the world. The interactions between the people and the higher strata of society are always fluid and dynamic, as Bernays rightly argued. One side constantly seeks to influence the other and vice versa. But when the “New Propagandist” steps in and informs everyone that it is in fact public opinion and the instincts and desires of the people which reign supreme, then arguably, the work of the “New Propagandist” is complete. There is nothing else left for the “New Propagandist” to do or accomplish. There is an ethical or moral code of sorts which “New Propagandists” abide by, similar to the ethical and moral code which a lawyer or a doctor would abide by. A “New Propagandist” cannot support an individual or a group whose ideas are illogical and unsound, no matter how high up that individual or group is in the social hierarchy. Which means that “New Propagandists” face antagonism from everyone. After all, injecting “conscience” into egotistical people is a difficult task, which is why “New Propagandists” face antagonism from everyone, until their advice and counsel finally seeps in or sinks in over the course of time.