Ideas Matter: The Hidden Persuaders

Seventh lecture in series Psychology and Democracy from The
Academy 2020 organised by Battle of Ideas (boi) charity.


Our focus in this episode is The Hidden Persuaders, the 1957
study by Vance Packard, American journalist, social critic and
best-selling author. The Hidden Persuaders is Packard’s foray
into the role of our unconscious desires and how psychological
methods are exploited by arenas such as advertising. This talk
explores Packard’s background and work, and reflects on what he
pioneered and also his legacy.


Lecturer: James Woudhuysen, visiting professor of forecasting and
innovation at London South Bank University, a regular
broadcaster, writer and author including co-author of Energise! A
future for energy innovation


THE ACADEMY 2020: PSYCHOLOGY AND DEMOCRACY The Academy Online was
a mixture of lectures and seminars offering an opportunity to
place contemporary events in a historical and philosophical
context. The full programme and some background reading can be
found at theboi.co.uk/the-academy-online…logy-and-democracy


THE ACADEMY In the context of today’s instrumental approaches to
knowledge, The Academy summer school is a modest attempt to
demonstrate the value of scholarship, and of the worth of the
university as a place of free enquiry dedicated to the pursuit of
truth.


DONATING TO THE BOI CHARITY The BOI charity is committed to
continuing to host discussion and debates throughout this period
when society is restricted by measures to tackle coronavirus. In
order to realise events such as the Academy Online, none of our
staff are furloughed and instead remain working. If you can, then
please consider a donation, small or large.
Visit: theboi.co.uk/donate


IDEAS MATTER PODCAST Ideas Matter is a podcast that takes the
most important issues of our times and explores the ideas and
intellectual trends that have shaped where we are today.


You can subscribe and listen to Ideas Matter on Apple Podcasts,
Podbean, Spotify or SoundCloud. For full details of all episodes,
visit the podcast page on our website


Keep up-to-date with Ideas Matter and all the initiatives
organised by the Battle of Ideas charity by following us on
Twitter (@theboi_uk) and on Facebook (battleofideas).