Doors of Perception: WHY AMERICANS WILL BELIEVE ALMOST ANYTHING

Dani and I just got into a long discussion about this essay which is about what I call “The Evil PR Monster.”

Keep in mind my own bias as a writer and media-phile, here. This is a very good article, with a lot of excellent points about the insidious nature of the public relations field.

I took a Communications class once that defined the difference between PR and advertising as “If you know someone’s trying to sell you something, it’s advertising. If you don’t hear the instructions, it’s PR.” Sure, that’s creepy.

I agree with almost everything he says, and yet still, somehow, the article irked me. The piece has a hint of hysteria in it, and seems to reek of that special hypocritical leaning of, “Don’t believe ANYTHING you’re told…er, unless I say it.” It’s a piece of media talking about how you should distrust the media. Think on that.

I also have knee-jerk reactions against those who blame the media for the apathy and inertia of the American people. We are a lazy, spoiled, overfed and coddled country. There are a lot of problems that we ignore. But there are a lot better ways to combat those problems then to complain about the media. How about teaching your children critical thinking skills for starters? Whenever my father and I travel together, we do cultural critique on whatever happens to be showing on the hotel television. By looking at the media not as an instruction manual, but as the cultural currency of a nation, you can learn so much.

Also, blaming an unseen enemy feels victim oriented. “We are taken advantage of by this invisible control!” Well then, start proactively doing something about it. I guess this article is the author’s attempt to do that. So why does it rankle me a bit?

I’m not sure where I’m going with this, but it’s an interesting article. You should read it.