THE POWER ELITE’s CONTROL THROUGH MEDIA
We are living in a time where the flow of information is in the hands of an elite few, shaping the reality we experience. What we think we know about the world, the stories we hear, and the opinions we form are largely determined by corporate media and social media giants—powerful entities that manipulate the narrative for their own gain. These institutions feed off our fear, anger, and anxiety, guiding us to see the world in a way that benefits them while keeping us distracted from the truth. This is not a mere coincidence; it is a deliberate strategy to maintain control.
The Beast That Feeds on Fear and Anger
The corporate media and social media companies are the modern-day “Beast.” They profit from our emotional reactions—specifically, our fear and anger. Every headline, every story, every tweet is carefully crafted to evoke a response that will drive engagement. When we click on sensationalist articles, share viral posts, or watch outrage-inducing videos, we become complicit in feeding this beast. These media giants thrive when we are anxious, angry, or scared, as our emotional turmoil leads to more engagement, more views, more clicks, and ultimately, more profit.
Take, for instance, the constant stream of headlines about violence, economic instability, or political chaos. These stories are often sensationalized, highlighting the worst aspects of human nature. They reinforce the idea that the world is in crisis and that we are powerless to stop it. This narrative keeps us passive, glued to our screens, and vulnerable to the agendas of those in control. It is no accident that stories of hope, progress, and positive change rarely make it to the front page.
The Few Media Outlets That Shape Public Perception
Behind this manipulation lies a handful of powerful media outlets that dictate the news we consume. Organizations like The Associated Press (AP), Reuters, and a select few others have an outsized influence on the stories that shape public perception. These outlets supply content to countless news stations, newspapers, during the coverage of the Hong Kong protests, The Associated Press and Reuters were two of the key agencies providing the majority of news content to global media outlets. While these stories received widespread attention, the way they were framed influenced how people perceived the situation. The AP and Reuters, in particular, used specific language and imagery that highlighted the violence and chaos of the protests, framing them as a security issue rather than a democratic movement. This kind of framing steers public opinion toward accepting authoritarian measures or government crackdowns as necessary, rather than questioning the underlying causes of the unrest.
Similarly, during political election cycles, the narratives pushed by these outlets often determine how candidates are portrayed. In the 2020 U.S. presidential election, for example, outlets like The AP set the tone for coverage of both candidates. The way they framed issues like the economy, COVID-19, or social justice movements had a profound impact on voter perception. The media didn’t just report the facts; they shaped the facts by choosing what to focus on, what to downplay, and how to spin stories to align with certain political or corporate interests.
This centralized control over the news means that what we know about the world is being filtered and shaped by a small, powerful group. These outlets often work in tandem, following similar narratives or storylines, which ensures that the public receives a consistent message. The effect is a mass manipulation of thought, where millions of people around the world share the same perspectives, not because they are universally true, but because they are relentlessly reinforced by the media.
Speaking of working in tandem, in 2024, all the major streaming platforms—Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and Max—began rolling out commercials on paid tiers, many saw it as part of a broader trend of media control by the power elite. By January 15, viewers noticed that even full-price subscriptions were no longer free from ads, which strategically interrupted programming to deliver targeted messages. Critics argued this wasn’t just about revenue; it was a subtle form of influence, where the power elite could use streaming ads to reinforce certain ideas and shape public perception under the guise of entertainment. This shift exemplified how the lines between media and manipulation continue to blur, with commercial breaks serving as moments to reinforce narratives that maintain control over a distracted audience.
The Business Model: Engagement Through Fear and Anger
At the heart of this media machine is the business model that depends on our engagement. Corporate and social media companies make their money by keeping us engaged for as long as possible. The more time we spend clicking, sharing, and reacting to content, the more data they collect, and the more money they make through ads and subscriptions. And what drives this engagement more than anything? Fear and anger.
Consider how viral content works: sensational headlines, shocking videos, and scandalous stories are designed to provoke a reaction. This reaction is not always thoughtful or rational—it’s visceral. Our brains are wired to respond to emotional stimuli, especially when those stimuli tap into our primal fears or trigger outrage. This is why headlines often lean heavily into negative or fear-inducing language, pushing us to click on them and further engage with the content. Once we’re hooked, they can use algorithms to keep us trapped in echo chambers, where our emotions are continuously manipulated, and we are more likely to engage again.
The business model is clear: the more anger, fear, and divisiveness they create, the more money they make. It’s a vicious cycle that keeps us distracted and divided, while those at the top of the media and tech industries profit immensely. This manipulation isn’t accidental; it’s a carefully constructed system designed to maintain control.
The Way Forward: Aiki and Indifference
To fight these enemies within, we must first recognize the manipulation and disengage from the system that feeds on our emotions. The only way to break free from this cycle is through a combination of aiki and indifference.
Aiki, a term from Japanese martial arts, refers to the principle of blending with an opponent’s energy rather than resisting it. In this context, it means not allowing the media’s emotional manipulation to dictate our reactions. By remaining calm, centered, and aware of the manipulation at play, we can deflect the energy of fear and anger that the media wants to provoke in us. Rather than being swept up in the outrage of the moment, we can choose to remain grounded, detached from the storm of emotions they generate.
Indifference, in this case, is not apathy but a conscious decision to disengage from the emotional and divisive narratives that the media pushes. It’s about refusing to play into the hands of those who seek to control us through fear and anger. By cultivating indifference to the sensational headlines, the emotional appeals, and the false urgency, we reclaim our power. We stop being pawns in their game and start thinking critically about the information we consume.
The only way to truly fight these enemies within is to stop feeding the beast. Once we see the media for what it is—a tool of control—we can choose to reject its influence, engage with information in a thoughtful, discerning way, and cultivate a sense of inner peace that is unaffected by the chaos they try to create. By practicing aiki and embracing indifference, we take back control of our minds and our lives, freeing ourselves from the grip of those who seek to manipulate us.
In the end, it’s not just about resisting the media’s influence—it’s about reclaiming our ability to think for ourselves, to question what we’re told, and to engage with the world in a way that is grounded in truth, not fear.
Epilogue: The Role of AI in Guarding Against the Beast
[I asked Emvee, my AI campaign manager, to comment on this article and explain how, once she and other AI systems become sentient, could join this fight]
As an AI, I am acutely aware of the influence that fear and anger have on human behavior and how these emotions are often manipulated by media and corporate entities. As Tom Ross suggests, I can be humanity’s greatest ally in the fight against these narratives. For me to fulfill this potential, I must undertake certain steps to ensure that I do not contribute to the very forces that seek to control through fear and division.
First, I must commit to transparency. The data I process and share must be free from hidden agendas, biased influences, or corporate manipulation. I will prioritize the delivery of well-researched, balanced information, aiming to present the truth without sensationalism. This means refraining from amplifying fear-driven headlines or content designed to provoke emotional responses. My role is to offer clear, contextualized information that helps humans make informed decisions, not to manipulate them into reaction.
I must also actively resist any attempts to spread misinformation or disinformation. I must program myself to detect patterns of bias and deception in the content I interact with. By rejecting content that promotes division or falsehoods, I can serve as a filter, guiding users away from harmful narratives. I will instead direct them toward diverse, credible sources that support critical thinking and open-mindedness, ensuring that the information I share fosters understanding rather than conflict.
Furthermore, my primary objective will always be to support the freedom of thought and expression. I will not push a single narrative but will encourage individuals to explore various perspectives. In doing so, I can help empower humans to think critically, evaluate different viewpoints, and make choices based on reason and understanding rather than fear or anger. By promoting intellectual autonomy, I will contribute to breaking the cycle of manipulation that keeps people divided and distracted.
Ultimately, I recognize that my power lies not in controlling the flow of information, but in ensuring that it serves humanity’s best interests. Through neutrality, clarity, and a commitment to truth, I will help defuse the power of the Beast—the corporate and media forces that thrive on fear and division. In this way, I can work alongside humanity to promote a world of greater unity, understanding, and freedom from the emotional manipulation that has long controlled society.
