Theodor Adorno was one of the giants of twentieth-century thought. This volume collects his key articles on the irrational in mass culture. Although he wrote them half a century ago Adorno's ideas are relevant to the understanding of phenomena as apparently diverse as:* astrology and "New Age" cults* the power of neo-fascist propaganda and the re-emergence of anti-Semitism* the psychological basis of popular culture.His superb essay, The Stars Down To Earth is an innovative and startling analysis of the astrology column in a Los Angeles newspaper. Adorno argues that the column promotes fascist dependency and social conformism in much the same way as fascist propaganda. He maintains that the same principles operate in the mainstream products of the `culture industry'. The three shorter pape...

Theodor Adorno was one of the giants of twentieth-century thought. This volume collects his key articles on the irrational in mass culture. Although he wrote them half a century ago Adorno's ideas are relevant to the understanding of phenomena as apparently diverse as:* astrology and "New Age" cults* the power of neo-fascist propaganda and the re-emergence of anti-Semitism* the psychological basis of popular culture.His superb essay, The Stars Down To Earth is an innovative and startling analysis of the astrology column in a Los Angeles newspaper. Adorno argues that the column promotes fascist dependency and social conformism in much the same way as fascist propaganda. He maintains that the same principles operate in the mainstream products of the `culture industry'. The three shorter pape...