the century of the self

just watched the first of four hour-long episodes of a bbc doco that explores how corporations and governments use freud's idea of the unconscious to control the minds of the masses. this provides an interesting explanation of how the american illness of "buying shit you don't need with money you don't have to impress people you don't like" got started, as well as how people in this country have become increasingly self-involved and apathetic over the years. thanks to tommy for posting and jon for pulling my coat.