FLOW OF WISDOM®

For most people, influence feels accidental — a trending topic, a viral clip, a sudden shift in public opinion.

But influence is rarely random.

In this Flow of Wisdom livestream, we revisit the social engineering of media and explore how early propaganda techniques evolved into modern algorithmic persuasion. At the center of this conversation is Edward Bernays, the father of public relations, and how his ideas connect directly to today’s digital platforms.

The Blueprint of Modern Influence

In his 1928 book Propaganda, Edward Bernays argued that modern society was too complex for individuals to make every decision independently. His solution was what he called the engineering of consent, shaping public opinion by influencing social norms, emotions, and group behavior rather than relying on facts alone.

Bernays believed people were driven less by logic and more by subconscious forces like herd instinct, authority, and identity. By shaping the environment around people, behavior could be guided without force.

These ideas weren’t theoretical. Bernays applied them across advertising, politics, nonprofits, and even wartime psychological operations.

From Propaganda to Persuasive Technology

While Bernays worked at the cultural level, modern behavior science applies the same principles at the individual level.

BJ Fogg’s Behavior Model explains that behavior occurs when three things converge:

• Motivation
• Ability
• Trigger

Remove any one of these, and the behavior doesn’t happen.

Bernays designed the context.

Modern platforms design the interface.

Notifications, infinite scroll, trending topics, and algorithmic feeds act as constant behavioral triggers — optimized for speed, emotion, and social validation.

Social Acceptance and the Herd Effect

Bernays understood that influencing a few key voices could influence the many. He targeted trusted authorities, doctors, celebrities, and cultural leaders, knowing the public would follow.

Today, this shows up through:

• Influencers
• Verified accounts
• Viral authority
• Likes, shares, and visibility

Social media platforms amplify the human need for acceptance and the fear of rejection, quietly shaping what people say, share, or suppress.

Why This Matters Now

Bernays’ legacy is complicated. His techniques helped shape modern communication, but they also played roles in political manipulation and historical events with long-term consequences.

What’s changed isn’t the psychology; it’s the scale, speed, and personalization.

When behavioral science meets algorithms, data, and AI, persuasion becomes automated.

Understanding these systems is no longer optional.
Watch the Livestream (Part 1)

In Part 1 of this Flow of Wisdom series, we break down:

• Edward Bernays’ influence on modern media
• The psychology behind propaganda
• How behavior became something that can be designed

Watch the full livestream below

What’s Coming in Part 2

Part 2 dives deeper into:

• Algorithmic feeds and digital conditioning
• Outrage as an engagement model
• Influencer authority and third-party persuasion
• Practical ways to recognize and resist manipulation