Henry David Thoreau was a man recognized for more achievements than one. Thoreau lived under the roof of the leader of Transcendentalism, Ralph Waldo Emerson, as a handyman, although their relationship was also one of master and disciple. (Walden) Transcendentalism was a new way of thought that filled the thoughts and imaginations of the masses through the greater part of the 19th century. It is not so much a religion but more so a way of life. The definition of Transcendentalism according to www.ushistory.org is a relatively simple concept that basically allows a man or woman alike, to seek knowledge beyond the human senses (sight, smell, taste, touch, feel), such as through intuition or imagination. .
It is very hard to maintain a biased opinion on the matter because much of what I have experienced in my time in the U.S. Army enforces what Henry David Thoreau wrote about nearly 200 years ago. I do understand that propaganda is an effective was to move the masses, but Thoreau saw it as a form of "social herding " if you will, or social mind control. As we have seen throughout our country's history, the government has pressed ideas that motivate the nation to react one way or another. For example, in WWII, the amount of propaganda that was released to fuel the war efforts was immeasurable. From women recruits in the factories, to recycling steel for ammunition, and even dog training were all attempts to boost morale and make the American citizens feel like they were a part of something much larger than themselves. I am not necessarily saying that propaganda is a negative approach, because if it weren't for government "suggestions " we may have never settled the Western half of the United States. Manifest Destiny was another idea fueled by the government that we read and studied in this class that has changed the lives of millions. I feel that a government that has absolute control is a happy government.