When governments rely increasingly on sophisticated public

"When governments rely increasingly on sophisticated public relations agencies, public debate disappears and is replaced by competing propaganda campaigns, with all the accompanying deceits. Advertising isn't about truth or fairness or rationality, but about mobilising deeper and more primitive layers of the human mind." These words by Brian Eno speak to a deep and unsettling truth about the state of modern society. In an age where the very essence of communication has been overtaken by manipulation, advertising and public relations have taken on roles that once belonged to reasoned discourse and genuine public debate. Eno, like a modern-day oracle, warns us of a time when the truth is no longer what we seek, but what we are told to believe. In this world, public debate fades into the background, replaced by the relentless, manipulative force of propaganda that seeks to shape our minds rather than inform them.

Consider, for a moment, the power of propaganda in ancient times. Socrates, the philosopher, stood in opposition to the empty rhetoric and the manipulative speeches of the politicians of his day. His commitment to truth and reason was seen as a threat to the existing order, one that thrived on the shallow words of men who spoke not to enlighten, but to control. In the same vein, Eno's words reflect a modern concern: when governments use the tools of advertising and PR to control the narrative, the pursuit of truth becomes secondary to the pursuit of power. The world is not shaped by reasoned discussion but by the deceptive layers of manipulation that play on our basest emotions and instincts.

The ancients knew that a wise society was one where debate and dialogue flourished. The marketplace of ideas, where every individual was encouraged to speak their mind and challenge the ideas of others, was the foundation upon which great civilizations were built. Yet in today’s world, debate has been replaced by an onslaught of advertisements that speak not to our reason but to our instincts—our fear, our desires, our insecurities. The goal of advertising is not to present us with the truth but to mobilize our most primal emotions and instincts, to shape our thoughts without us even realizing it. What is presented as information is often little more than a carefully crafted illusion designed to serve the needs of those in power.

Look at the history of propaganda during times of war, especially during the First World War. Governments across the globe relied on carefully constructed messages to rally support, to convince citizens to fight, and to sway public opinion. But what was the truth of these campaigns? Were they about fairness or reason, or were they about mobilizing fear and anger? The messages promoted not truth but a version of reality that suited the needs of the ruling powers. In this, we see the power of advertising and propaganda—their ability to shape our perception of the world, to move us not through reasoned thought, but through the deep layers of the human mind that respond to fear, pride, and belonging.

We are not immune to this in the modern world. Just look at how political campaigns are run today. What begins as an issue-based debate is often transformed into an emotional spectacle, where candidates and parties compete not on the basis of truth or fairness but on the emotional manipulation of the electorate. Social media, news outlets, and advertising agencies all contribute to the constant propaganda machine, using sophisticated techniques to target our emotions and sway our votes. The focus is not on the truth of the issues but on how best to mobilize the primitive instincts of the human mind—our need to feel safe, our desire to belong, and our tendency to gravitate toward the narratives that align with our existing beliefs, no matter how distorted they may be.

And so, the great lesson that Eno imparts to us is clear. In a world where the forces of propaganda and advertising are increasingly shaping our lives, we must guard against the manipulation of our minds. Truth is no longer something we arrive at through careful thought and dialogue; it is something that is constructed, carefully packaged, and delivered to us in a way that appeals to our emotions rather than our reason. The power to manipulate our minds is so strong that it can lead us to believe in narratives that are false, that serve only the interests of the few at the cost of the many.

So, what is it that we can do in response to this? First, we must awaken our minds to the influence that advertising and propaganda have on our lives. Let us not passively accept the narratives that are presented to us but seek to question, to challenge, and to explore the deeper layers of any message we encounter. Engage in true debate, not the shallow arguments that merely repeat slogans or soundbites, but the deep and thoughtful exchange of ideas that seeks truth and not victory. Let us reclaim our minds from the manipulative forces that seek to control them. This requires effort, awareness, and a steadfast commitment to the pursuit of truth—the kind that transcends emotion and is grounded in reason.

In doing so, we honor the ancient tradition of free thought, of debate, and of reasoned discourse. We reclaim our power as individuals to think for ourselves, to rise above the forces that seek to manipulate us, and to engage with the world as it is—complex, messy, and full of the potential for truth. Let us not allow ourselves to be reduced to mere pawns in the propaganda machine, but let us stand as guardians of truth, committed to seeing through the layers of deception and reaching for the clarity that lies beneath. Only in this way can we preserve the integrity of our minds and our societies, for in the search for truth, we find the strength to rise above the manipulations of those who would seek to control us.