Noam Chomsky - Conformity and Control

The Interlocking of Major Corporations and Mass Media

In this section, the speaker discusses how major corporations and mass media are closely interlocked with each other. He explains that they share a perception of the world and general interests at the top level.

Interlocking of Major Corporations and Mass Media

• The mass media are some of the biggest corporations in the country.

• People who hold high planning positions in the state executive come from corporate boardrooms, investment banks, law firms that cater to corporate interests, etc.

• Journalists learn what is reportable or not from their editors or people right above them.

• The decision-making structure in a corporation is top-down. Orders ultimately come from owners.

• Advertisers are the market for media. This imposes another constraint on media as they want to maintain a relationship with the state which is their friend.

Constant Flow Between Corporate Boardrooms, State Managers, Media Executives and Top-Level Media People University Elites

In this section, the speaker talks about how there is a constant flow between corporate boardrooms, state managers, media executives and top-level media people university elites who play by rules. They all belong to the same privileged elite.

Constant Flow Between Corporate Boardrooms, State Managers, Media Executives and Top-Level Media People University Elites

• There's a constant flow between corporate boardrooms state managers media executives and top-level media people University elites who play by rules.

• If any of them get out of line they're excluded even at a very high level.

• A couple of years ago, the top editorial staff of the New York Times was essentially thrown out because they were beginning to deviate a little bit.

The Technique of Control

In this section, the speaker talks about how there is a technique of control in capitalist democracy. He explains that if the state tries to pursue policies that don't conform to the interests of those who make investment decisions, there will be a decline in investment and capital flight.

The Technique of Control

• There is a technique of control in capitalist democracy.

• If the state tries to pursue policies that don't conform to the interests of those who make investment decisions, there will be a decline in investment and capital flight.

• True decision-making powers are in private hands. The political system is marginal and ideological institutions are limited.

Interlocking des grandes entreprises et des médias de masse (French)

Dans cette section, le conférencier discute de la façon dont les grandes entreprises et les médias de masse sont étroitement interconnectés les uns avec les autres. Il explique qu'ils partagent une perception du monde et des intérêts généraux au niveau supérieur.

Interconnexion des grandes entreprises et des médias de masse

• Les médias de masse sont parmi les plus grandes entreprises du pays.

• Les personnes qui occupent des postes de planification élevés dans l'exécutif d'État viennent de salles de conseil d'administration d'entreprise, de banques d'investissement, de cabinets d'avocats qui s'adressent aux intérêts des entreprises, etc.

• Les journalistes apprennent ce qui est rapportable ou non de leurs éditeurs ou des personnes juste au-dessus d'eux.

• La structure de prise de décision dans une entreprise est descendante. Les ordres viennent finalement des propriétaires.

• Les annonceurs sont le marché pour les médias. Cela impose une autre contrainte aux médias car ils veulent maintenir une relation avec l'État qui est leur ami.

The Pressure to Conform

In this section, the speaker discusses how pressures can weed out independent people and lead individuals to conform to a system of indoctrination and distortion.

Conforming Leads to Indoctrination

• As soon as an individual begins to conform, they begin to lose their independence of mind.

• Individuals who conform are rewarded with the privilege of conformity, which leads them to believe what they say because it is useful.

• Cognitive dissonance is difficult for most individuals to tolerate. They start saying certain things because it's necessary, and pretty soon they're believing them.

Atrocities Justified by Perpetrators

• There is no atrocity in history that has not been justified by its perpetrators as highly moral.

• Slavery was justified by slave owners with moral arguments.

• Every mass murderer in history has justified their actions as highly moral.

Indoctrination Works on Participants

• When individuals become part of institutions, they are subject to the same indoctrination process.

• The institutional role requires individuals within them to play a specific role. If they don't play that role, they will be replaced by others who do.