Necessary Illusions Audiobook By Noam Chomsky cover art

Necessary Illusions

Thought Control in Democratic Societies

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Necessary Illusions

By: Noam Chomsky
Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell
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In his 1988 CBC Massey Lecture, Noam Chomsky inquires into the nature of the media in a political system where the population cannot be disciplined by force and thus must be subjected to more subtle forms of ideological control. Specific cases are illustrated in detail, using the U.S. media primarily but also media in other societies. Chomsky considers how the media might be democratized (as part of the general problem of developing more democratic institutions) in order to offer citizens broader and more meaningful participation in social and political life.

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So, it’s not really a part 2 to Manufacturing Consent, Chomsky and Hermann’s classic and still relevant text, but I pretty much see it as a supporting document to the theory put forward in that book. I had a hard time getting through the book. That’s probably more on me, but it is written like many of Chomsky’s works, very dry, information rich, and to the point.

The first part of the book was less interesting to me, mostly modeled after lectures Chomsky gave, mostly focused on Nicaragua’s struggles between the Sandinista government and the Contra insurgents. I’m not sure why, I just found it less interesting than the addendums, which take up a bulk of the text. It’s in the addendums where I see it as an amassing of evidence to support the Chomsky/Hermann model of manufacturing consent, where time is mostly split between media coverage on Nicaragua, and to a lesser extent on Israel and the first intifada.

I don’t think this is essential reading for most people interested in Chomsky’s work, however I do think it’s worth reading just for the sheer amount of information we get on the media coverage of the events in Nicaragua and Israel in the 1980s and 90s, and how it’s very clear that manufacturing consent is exactly what the media was dishonesty up to. It’s fascinating history as well, for those of us into that sort of thing. For that reason I give it 4/5 stars, even though I think this is not going to be particularly interesting to most people wanting to explore his most essential work.

Manufacturing Consent II

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Every so often I come across a book that changes the way I see the world. I'm still seeing the same things in the media, but now I have a constant awareness of the potential missing facts in a story. It won't eliminate the box, but it should help you think outside of it.

Challenging even for radical minds

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I'd recommend a paper version. The audio book's narrator will put anyone to sleep. Slow. Inexpressive.

Would you recommend Necessary Illusions to your friends? Why or why not?

The contents of the book, yes. Paper version.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Kevin Stillwell?

Anyone else! Robin Bloodworth did a great job with Noam's work. I'd recommend Robin to redo all of the Chomsky's books on Audible.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

It's hard to say. The book was nigh unbearable to watch. Buying the paper version.

Any additional comments?

Kevin Stillwell does no favors to Chomsky's work.

Seminal work ruined by a terrible performance.

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Any additional comments?

The author is using thought shaping to channel you to his interpretations of events given in this book. It is not an objective analysis of the events or times in history covered. The author has an obvious bias.

This book IS THOUGHT CONTROL..

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