So that’s a bit of a tongue in cheek headline, one designed to get attention, which I hope it did. The fact of the matter is that this could also be called “the saving humanity from themselves for glory and honor reading list” but that’s not quite as catchy, don’t ya think? Also this was originally the title for a book that I was planning on writing (and may still do so in the future) on human nature and society.
In this article I’m going to lay out three of the best books on understanding human nature and the nature of the crowd (as well as how to manipulate it to get what you want from it). These books are meant to be the start of a study not cover everything. But they will give you a good overview of crowd psychology as well as a deeper look into human nature as a whole as well as how those who have this knowledge can very easily manipulate and largely control modern society. Enjoy.
The Crowd by Gustave Le Bon
“The masses have never thirsted after truth…Whoever can supply them with illusions is easily their master, whoever attempts to destroy their illusions is always their victim”
Gutave lived through the French Revolution and has a front row seat on what happens when a group of individuals become a crowd and the atrocities that seemingly good normal people can commit when inspired so. In The Crowd Gustave talks about how to control and manipulate crowds to do your bidding as well as the nature and psychology of crowds. Gustave talks about how when a group of humans gets together (regardless if they’re doctors or high school dropouts) that their psychology changes and becomes that essentially of an animal or child.
They become impervious to reason and extremely influenced by “images” (something Gustave explains in much more depth in the book). Given that the religion of the world is currently democracy and equality it makes sense that understanding how to get the masses to do your bidding is an important concept to master. Gustave also talks about that while crowds are often lead to extreme acts of violence and rage that they can also be led to extreme acts of heroism and bravery by the same token. Individuals cease to be individuals when in a collective and are therefore capable of far more and less moral acts then when on their own. You’ll also learn how to get a jury to declare you innocent no matter what the evidence says (and probably lose what little faith you may have had in the justice system).
Gustave also highlights some very important facets of our modern education system as well as our form of government and where they inevitably lead. This book was written in 1895 and it’s interesting to see some parallels between France of that time and modern America. Hence why a book written almost 125 years ago is applicable to our modern systems. And of course human nature never changes. This is an old book and at places can be a bit of a slog but the knowledge contained within is well worth it. Anyone who wants to understand his fellow man and how to lead him needs to read this book.
Crystallizing Public Opinion by Edward Bernays
“Pugnacity with its attendant emotion of anger is a human constant. The public relations counsel uses this continually in constructing all kinds of events that will call it into play. Because of it, too, he is often forced to enact combats and create issues. He stages battles against issues in which the antagonist is personified for the public.”
One of the funniest things I hear (often from “traditional” minded people) is how feminism (or insert other societal cancer) is simply the product of a modernized society when in fact it’s the product of billions of dollars of funding combined with master social manipulators pushing it at every turn, fighting tooth and nail to change the public’s attitudes towards it and eventually succeeding. Of course the same could be said about positive things as well like basic hygiene and the treating of wounds and so on and so forth.
My point is, is that we live in a constructed world, not one the has occurred naturally and to think otherwise is at best naive but more likely (with the amount of information available to us) downright stupid. In Crystallizing Public Opinion Edward Bernays makes this abundantly clear. What the public comes to accept and believe does not come about naturally but rather through the influence and tireless work of an intelligent few who steer the course of the rest of society. Sort of like how a relatively small rudder can turn a giant ship.
The methods explained in this book have been used by many to influence and direct the masses. Bernays used them to push feminism, birth control, and many other “progressive” ideas that now are mainstream in America. These methods were also used by the infamous Nazi master of propaganda Joseph Goebbels who used Bernays methods to influence the German people to the benefit of the party. Bernays talks about in this book how methods of persuasion are like a weapon. In and of themselves they are neither good nor bad, it is how they are applied that makes the difference.
Some other key takeaways are the disproportional influence that leaders in any group have. Humanity would have never gotten anywhere if we had to make a value judgement on everything there was using our own reason in logic. Instead we defer to leaders and experts and call it a day saving our brains the trouble. Because of this leaders and experts hold tons of influence over the masses. And by hitting the leaders (such as celebrities) with certain ideas the masses will follow along in time. Put another way if you get the leader you get the pack.
The True Believer by Eric Hoffer
“The quality of ideas seems to play a minor role in mass movement leadership. What counts is the arrogant gesture, the complete disregard of the opinion of others, the single handed defiance of the world.”
The first time I heard about this book was from Dan Kennedy who called it essentially a guide to running your own cult. In the True Believer Eric Hoffer outlines mass movements, how they form, how to guide them, how they end, their effect on nations, societies, religions, and what not, and more. I will say this of the True Believer though. Unlike the other two books above which are written in a cold scientific like tone the True Believer is instead filled with Hoffer’s own opinions and thoughts, which Hoffer admits half way through the book.
Meaning that overall 90% of the book is great but there are some false statements and exaggerations made as well (again which Hoffer even admits). But it’s still a great book and one that gives you a deep dive into human nature and the nature of mass movements. A mass movement can be any gathering of people around a thought process Hoffer uses the examples of Communism (notably Russia), Religion (Christianity), and extreme nationalism (the Nazi party), but these are just three examples.
Hoffer talks about the kind of people who make up mass movements and what they’re really looking for. He explains how those who get involved in mass movements don’t care so much about the movement so long as they can lose themselves in it. Hoffer talks about everyone making up mass movements from bored housewives to the destitute and more. He also talks about the three people required to take a mass movement from a simply idea to the reigning force in the nation/state/country. Again another great book that dives deep into the human psyche and gives you information about its workings.
Summary & Other Recommended Reads
As I’ve talked about before studying human nature is one of the most important thing that you can study. These books just scratch the surface but give you a good brief overview of the human mind, especially mass psychology, as well as how our world is controlled and molded by those who can make use of this knowledge. Regardless if you want to start a cult, make a ton of money in business, or simply keep your family free of negative influence it pays to study and learn this information. Here are some other books on the subject that are also worth a read.
Public Opinion by Walter Lippmann
Extraordinary Popular Delusions & The Madness Of Crowds by Charles MacKay
Instincts Of The Herd In War & Peace by Wilfred Trotter
The Behavior Of Crowds by Everett Dean Martin
If you have any questions you would like to see answered in a future post send them to me at charlessledge001 (at) gmail (dot) com. If you found value in this post then I would encourage you to share this site with someone who may need it as well as check out my books here. I appreciate it. You can follow me on Twitter here.
-Charles Sledge
