The most coherent monologue in the history of mankind holds great significance. It encapsulates various aspects such as history, psychology, moral philosophy, and straight facts.

Rather than simply reading, it is highly recommended to find the audio on Spotify Audiobooks for free. By doing so, one can hear Noam's voice and the audience response. His oratorical style is truly remarkable, as he conveys all the ideas so fluidly, without even a single syllable disrupting the flow of his thoughts.

It is quite ironic that Amazon's Audible is selling this for $16, considering that he spoke for free at a public forum where he directly addressed the problems of Western capitalism and hegemony.

Noam Chomsky is indeed one of the most brilliant minds this world has ever witnessed. It is of great value for everyone to explore his captured audio as much and as often as possible. This will not only provide a deeper understanding of the important topics he discusses but also allow one to appreciate his intellectual prowess and the power of his words.

RANA POVIJEST PROPAGANDE

The Wilson administration established the government's propaganda board, the Creel Committee. In just six months, it managed to transform a peace-loving nation into a hysterical populace obsessed with war, eager to destroy everything German, kill all Germans, go to war and save the world. This most important achievement led to further accomplishments. At the same time, immediately after the war, the same methods were applied to instill a hysterical fear of communism, the Red Scare as it was called, which successfully destroyed unions and eliminated dangerous problems such as freedom of the press and political thought. The media and corporate powers provided great support, promoted and organized a large part of the work. Overall, it was a great success.

Among those who actively and enthusiastically participated were also progressive intellectuals, people from the circle of John Dewey who were extremely proud of their texts about "more intelligent members of society", that is, about themselves, who could force an unwilling nation into war by instilling fear in their bones and fanning the flames of patriotic fanaticism. The means used in this endeavor were diverse. For example, a large number of fabrications about German atrocities, Belgian babies having their arms torn off, all kinds of horrors that can still be read in history books. All of them were invented by the British Ministry of Propaganda, whose task at that time was, as they said in their secret meetings, to control the thoughts of the whole world. What is more important, they wanted to control the thoughts of the more intelligent members of American society, who would then spread the prepared propaganda and thus turn a peace-loving country into a war hysteria. It succeeded. It succeeded extremely well. And that taught us a lesson: State propaganda can have an extremely powerful effect when it is supported by educated layers and when deviation from it is not allowed. Hitler and many others learned this, and it is still being practiced today.

Noam Chomsky expands on the ideas of Walter Benjamin and Pierre Bourdieu in this book, regarding how the state uses the media and, further, its own ideologies to impose on the people. Perhaps television is at the top of these:

People must remain passive in front of the television, and slogans and advertisements must pour into their minds like a torrent, so that in the process of mental cleansing, they come to believe that the only value that exists in life is having an abundance of consumer goods and following the lifestyle of the upper-middle class, which is obsessed with the beautiful values of harmony and Americanization. This is the essence and content of life in America. Perhaps you think that there is something else besides what is indicated. But as long as these television channels are not eliminated and silenced, you will never find a way out of this dead end, and naturally, it will be drilled into your mind that this is who you are, that you are crazy.

He writes that the ignorant mass of people must be controlled by a group of political elites who are the insiders of the state, so as to prevent the formation of any kind of union, guild, or freedom-seeking movement. Or if a union such as a trade union is formed, it must still remain under their supervision.

He writes that basically, people should only remain under the rule of "spectator", and the main director is still the state and political elites.

And how they mislead people to their military goals by putting forward meaningless and populist slogans:

Another of their methods is this: sometimes mobilize them so that they chant meaningless slogans such as: Support your own military, give your head. Keep them constantly in a state of fear and trembling. Because when a sense of fear takes hold of them and they think that various kinds of devils and demons everywhere, inside and outside the country, want to destroy them, then they start to think that the prevailing conditions are really very dangerous. Because they themselves are not capable of thinking correctly in this regard. Therefore, it is very important that their attention is diverted and distracted.

This is one of the concepts of democracy.

Basically, the state pursues its goals and objectives in domestic and foreign policies under the pretext of "gaining satisfaction". And in the continuation of the book, Noam Chomsky extensively discusses this ideology regarding the Gulf Wars, the Cuban Missile Crisis, or the Vietnam War, which America has named the reason for this war as something meaningless and internal violence in Vietnam.

And also briefly touches on the September 11th incident, how America used this pretext to start the war in Afghanistan.

This is a brilliant book in which Chomsky unveils this ideology without hesitation, but it definitely needs an accurate translation.

While this text has been oxymoronically presented as "an excellent place to start with the anarchist left agenda" and somewhat entertaining as you will find in some balanced comments, one cannot leave this reading without even grasping the importance of Chomsky's overview.

It is a must read for those who want to analyze the undermining of History itself by those in power.

Those in power, "They", as marginalized people bash while massively filling ballots, are the "intelligent few" in the words of Edward L. Bernays (see. 1920, Propaganda) and Walter Lippmann used to call "responsible men" - in danger if proper measures are not taken against the "bewildered herd".

Some people say the best stories often come from inconvenient and uncomfortable places. This is undoubtedly an inconvenient reading which will lead you to uncomfortable places.

For the good reader, all information is properly and scholarly referenced. Yet you can find much more in "Necessary Illusions" also by Chomsky.

Bertrand Russell (not an anarchist by any means) used to say that if there are social ideas quite difficult to find in the public arena there are symptoms of official propaganda. You will find in this old but still relevant text plus a somewhat not so fluid post September 11/2001 essay, some important reasons and social effects behind Media Control.

Chomsky's own formula might be stop resorting to cliché.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Moreover, this text not only provides a unique perspective on the anarchist left agenda but also challenges the reader to think deeply about the power dynamics at play in society. The references to Bernays and Lippmann add an interesting historical context, highlighting the long-standing debate about the role of the "intelligent few" and the "bewildered herd".

The mention of Russell's观点further emphasizes the importance of being critical of the information we consume and the role of official propaganda.

Overall, this text is a thought-provoking and engaging read that is sure to leave a lasting impression on the reader.

I mean, it's quite obvious that I ate that up. The idea of Chomsky using irony to criticize the west? That's something I'll gobble up every single time. Chomsky is a renowned intellectual who has long been known for his incisive critiques of various aspects of society. His use of irony adds an extra layer of depth and complexity to his arguments. It makes us think twice about the things we take for granted and forces us to question the status quo. When he uses irony to shit on the west, it's not just a simple act of bashing. It's a thought-provoking way of highlighting the flaws and contradictions within western society. And for someone like me who is always eager to engage with new ideas and perspectives, I find this kind of analysis extremely satisfying. I can't get enough of it.

That's the whole point of good propaganda.

You want to create a slogan that nobody's going to be against, and everybody's going to be for. Nobody knows what it means, because it doesn't mean anything. Its crucial value is that it diverts your attention from a question that does mean something: Do you support our policy? That's the one you're not allowed to talk about.

This statement highlights the power and the nature of propaganda. It shows how a seemingly innocent slogan can be used to manipulate people's thoughts and emotions.

A short but a good book for introducing and giving examples of the use of propaganda by the USA.

This book serves as an important resource for understanding how propaganda has been employed in the United States. It provides insights into the various techniques and strategies used to shape public opinion and influence people's behavior.

By studying these examples, we can become more aware of the role of propaganda in our society and learn to think critically about the information we receive.

Overall, this book offers a valuable perspective on the power of propaganda and its impact on our lives.

In the beginning, perhaps like others, I was impressed by the first and prosperous period of democracy and freedom of the press in the US. But with continuous follow-up, you will find that they know nothing about the outside world except the image fabricated by their media machine.

However, what is new when I read this book is the concept of democracy in their eyes and how it is formulated. Their democracy is not just an illusion. It is actually a division of society into three classes: the aristocracy, who are businesspeople and own society; the elite class that works for this group; and finally, the people, or as described: the lost section. This section is not suitable for governing the country and has no right to interfere in its governance affairs, simply because they do not have sufficient qualifications and the ability to lead society. And to facilitate the process of leading this section, we must deceive them. The author has mentioned several examples of this, such as sports competitions, pornographic movies and TV series, and others.

When the ruling class wants to interfere externally or wants to divert people's attention from the real problems that the country is facing, such as the health crisis, the education crisis, and the decline in the living standard, it is necessary to create an enemy or a foreign monster that threatens national security and every citizen. "The policy of foreign wars to divert domestic turmoil." And to convince the lost section, it is necessary to create slogans that no one can oppose, although they have no meaning, and the real goal is to divert attention from the real question: Do you support our policy?

The biggest lie in history is the war on terror. Who among us does not remember the chemical weapons that destroyed Iraq? After all these years, no one asks where these weapons are. A country has returned to prehistoric times, and blood flows there every day since the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Here, the question is raised: What are the values and ethics on which these countries are based? And what about the boasting of human rights? This hypocrisy can also be seen in the Syrian situation. Although the regime uses chemical weapons against civilians, cluster bombs, we do not see any action. On the contrary, the US has begun to whitewash the image of the criminal Bashar.

When we stand here, we wonder what kind of international system is in place? And what is the value of human rights and international law?

Perhaps the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, may God have mercy on him, is the biggest proof of this hypocrisy. As long as the US reaps the benefits, the Saudi regime is good and friendly.

The examples of this hypocrisy and lies are countless. How many dictatorial and bloody regimes enjoy the support of the US? And the current regime in Egypt is the best proof.

Despite the development of technology, human beings are still walking behind their desires.

I used to think that the media in our countries only works for the existing systems, but the picture is not so clear. The difference is that we admit it here, but they do not admit it there.

Regarding the author, I am impressed by his sincerity and his enlightened view. He is like a cry in the conscience of humanity, and this is proof that humanity and the enlightened conscience have nothing to do with religion, nationality, or race.

If we want to apply this book to our tragic reality, it will become very clear to us how the media is directed to serve the existing system, try to impose it, and also cover up its mistakes and make them seem like great achievements.

How the real problems that society is facing, such as the decline in wages, the high unemployment rate, the decline in the living standard, the regression of the infrastructure, the deterioration of the health sector and its system, the decline of the education system, the restriction of freedoms, political dictatorship, arbitrary arrests, financial and political corruption, the scandals of theft, robbery, looting, the embezzlement of funds and hard currency, and others, are all confined to the Amazigh language.

As is his habit in his writings, publications, and ideas, Naoum Tchoufsky reveals the American political kitchen games to the public, presenting examples and details.

He announces the extent of the influence of the American media machines in guiding the American individual, leading him, and brainwashing him.

Tchoufsky's work offers a critical perspective on the inner workings of the American political and media landscapes. His revelations shed light on the complex web of forces that shape the thoughts and actions of the American people. By presenting specific examples and details, he makes his arguments more tangible and accessible to the reader.

Through his writings, Tchoufsky aims to raise awareness about the power of the media and its role in influencing public opinion. He encourages readers to question the information they receive and to think independently. His work serves as a reminder that in a democratic society, it is essential to be informed and vigilant in order to protect our rights and freedoms.

In today's world, the most dominant force in the media and even in the world, especially in our time, is America.

At the beginning, the writer talks about the role of advertisements and announcements in mobilizing the public, and generally, it is the influence of the media on the opinions of society.

Then, it talks about terrorism and what it is, and how a powerful country like America manipulates it and uses it for its own purposes. America has a significant impact on the global media landscape, shaping public perception and influencing various aspects of society. The power of advertising and the media cannot be underestimated, as they can sway public opinion and drive certain behaviors. Terrorism, on the other hand, is a complex and often misunderstood phenomenon. America, being a major global power, has its own interests and strategies when it comes to dealing with terrorism. Sometimes, it may use the issue of terrorism to justify its actions or to gain political advantage. However, it is important to approach the topic of terrorism with objectivity and a comprehensive understanding to avoid misinterpreting or misusing it.

I should’ve read this book back in 2003 when I purchased it.

As he is writing about the impact of the media in 2002 and further back in history, there is no reference to the Internet and its effect on how "the bewildered herd" discovers and consumes media.

I would be intrigued by a follow-up volume. Perhaps one that is less argumentative.

Nonetheless, it is a good history lesson. It is quite sobering.

It makes one realize how much the media landscape has changed since 2002. The Internet has revolutionized the way we access and interact with information.

It would be interesting to see how the author would update his analysis to include the role of the Internet.

Despite its limitations, this book provides valuable insights into the past and serves as a reminder of the power and influence of the media.

It is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of media and its impact on society.

I think it was quite sufficient to say that the United States controls its people through the media to create a public consensus on the validity of the policies it pursues that serve the interests of the ruling elite. But since Chomsky is mainly addressing the citizens who have been subjected to systematic brainwashing operations, he needs to mention more events than this.

I felt that in some places he tried to link media control and its corruption to capitalism, and not surprisingly as he is a socialist.

The difficulty of his task can be understood if you remember how Nasser inflamed the feelings of the Egyptians with his platform of liberating the Arab countries and his call for Arab unity, and also how he convinced the people at that time of our victory over the tripartite aggression, and how his resignation after the setback affected the citizens who wept and called for his return! Also, Sadat who kept the people in a state of war for several years until they despaired, and his strategy was successful until he appeared on the stage of the White House with a voice but no actions, and also Hamas lost the people's loyalty with its empty speeches! Also, Mubarak in many of his speeches, the last of which was a speech in which he did not intend to run for another term, which led to the division of the people. And other similar government media practices that are contrary to the revolution. And after the revolution, for example, you find the private media divided between one group that supports a certain faction and another group that has another following, and in both cases each presents a part of the truth that serves its interests, and the people move according to what the media feeds them in the absence of the government media which is content with a passive role or plays the same negative role!

As for civil society organizations, the Muslim Brotherhood managed in general - due to its political opposition role - and the Salafi groups - although their evil was avoided and they were confined to the da'wa aspect - to gain significant support on the street and form large bases. Also, movements such as Kefaya and April 6 emerged, but the government media managed to smear them and the general public did not empathize with them except for the working classes. Also, ElBaradei who became an agent and a cause of the destruction of Iraq!

Also, the media now measures the success of the Egyptian revolution by the degree of media freedom regardless of any other gains. Otherwise, what is the use of all this large number of channels, new media people, books that date back to the revolution, and the multiplicity of reasons, results, gains, mistakes and... without the revolution actually being completed.

Due to my lack of interest in many of the events and evidence in the book, I tried to apply it to the Egyptian reality.. I hope I succeed.

February 2012

A book requires a person who is well-versed in the political events in the world. I found some difficulties in understanding the examples presented by the author. However, the ideas that he intended to convey were clear to the reader.

This shows that although the examples might have been a bit challenging, the overall message of the book was still accessible.

It could be that the author assumed a certain level of knowledge about the political events from the reader.

Nevertheless, with further research and study, one can gain a better understanding of the examples and fully appreciate the depth of the ideas presented in the book.

In conclusion, while there were some initial difficulties, the book still holds value and can provide valuable insights into the political landscape of the world.