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Adam Curtis' acclaimed series examines the rise of the all-consuming self against the backdrop of the Freud dynasty.

To many in both politics and business, the triumph of the self is the ultimate expression of democracy, where power has finally moved to the people. Certainly the people may feel they are in charge, but are they really? "Century of the Self" tells the untold and sometimes controversial story of the growth of the mass-consumer society in Britain and the United States. How was the all-consuming self created, by whom, and in whose interests?

The Freud dynasty is at the heart of this compelling social history. Sigmund Freud, founder of psychoanalysis; Edward Bernays, who invented public relations; Anna Freud, Sigmund's devoted daughter; and present-day PR guru and Sigmund's great grandson, Matthew Freud.

Sigmund Freud's work into the bubbling and murky world of the subconscious changed the world. By introducing a technique to probe the unconscious mind, Freud provided useful tools for understanding the secret desires of the masses. Unwittingly, his work served as the precursor to a world full of political spin doctors, marketing moguls, and society's belief that the pursuit of satisfaction and happiness is man's ultimate goal.

Episode One: Happiness Machines

The story of the relationship between Sigmund Freud and his American nephew, Edward Bernays. Bernays invented the public relations profession in the 1920s and was the first person to take Freud's ideas to manipulate the masses. He showed American corporations how they could make people want things they didn't need by systematically linking mass-produced goods to their unconscious desires.

Bernays was one of the main architects of the modern techniques of mass-consumer persuasion, using every trick in the book, from celebrity endorsement and outrageous PR stunts, to eroticizing the motorcar. His most notorious coup was breaking the taboo on women smoking by persuading them that cigarettes were a symbol of independence and freedom. But Bernays was convinced that this was more than just a way of selling consumer goods. It was a new political idea of how to control the masses. By satisfying the inner irrational desires that his uncle had identified, people could be made happy and thus docile.

It was the start of the all-consuming self which has come to dominate today's world.

Episode 1 discusses how Freud's theories started the industry of public relations. You might not agree with Edwards Bernay's ideology but he was a genius. And though you might not have heard his name, we can see his work all around us today convincing us to do and buy things that we hadn't thought of by appealing to our inner desires. Episode 2 discusses how WWII affected how the U.S. government and corporations regarded citizens. Current events can influence ideology greatly. Hitler made an impact on how the U.S. would view its citizens, its consumers and their desires. Episode 3 discusses the backlash to Freud's ideology and how corporations used this new philosophy for their own gain. In a stark contrast to the oppressive culture before, a counter culture of liberation developed. This program shows how the sexual revolution, anti war movement and a new found selfishness fit together. Activists went from trying to break down political walls to breaking down inner social walls. And if that's not enough to make you watch this film all I have to say is one more thing: lesbian nuns. This film can be watched separately but its recommended starting at the first of the series. Episode 4 discusses how Clinton and Blair used Freudian techniques to get elected and how it changed policies. In today's age, political careers are saved by satisfying the immediate desires of the people, but this proves not only to be an ineffective way to govern but also undercuts a political party's morals. Clinton did what he could to be elected but at what cost? This film can be watched separately but it is recommended to start with the first of the series.