Uncovering the history
and techniques of
cultural engineering
The Decoding Culture Foundation is a nonprofit organization of scholars, journalists, and researchers studying the film industry and the role of popular entertainment in the construction of culture
News
Volume 2 of Cultural Engineering Studies is available now!
Look for Volume 3, Spring 2026
Read more about it and get yours by clicking the button below.
We released the print version of Volume 1 of Cultural Engineering Studies in February 2025.
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“The easiest way to inject a propaganda idea into most people’s minds is to let it go through the medium of an entertainment picture when they do not realize that they are being propagandized.”
— Elmer Davis, Director of the Office of War Information during World War 2
About Us
The Decoding Culture Foundation is committed to exposing hidden agendas within popular culture as well as providing the public with the tools to unmask these hidden truths themselves. Our work involves documenting the history of collaboration between the film industry and powerful interests in society, including the United States military and intelligence establishments; exposing cinematic techniques used to manage the perception and change the values of viewers; and tracking the use of these techniques, as well as themes and tropes relating to agenda-driven manipulation of mass audiences.
“The files we have received through the Freedom of Information Act indicate that between 1911 and 2017 eight-hundred and fourteen films received DOD support. If we include the 1,133 TV titles in our count, the number of screen entertainment products supported by the DOD leaps to 1,947. If we are to include the individual episodes for each title on long-running shows like 24, Homeland, and NCIS, as well as the influence of other major organisations like the FBI, CIA and White House, then it becomes clear that the national security state has supported thousands of products.”
— Matthew Alford and Tom Secker, National Security Cinema
Our Work
Data Collection
Created from the hard work of our research team, our curated databases include a wealth of public records documenting collaborations between Hollywood and the Washington DC military and intelligence establishments.
Research Anthology
Cultural Engineering Studies, published biannually, features articles and studies by researchers with a diverse range of specialties, as well as interviews with entertainment industry insiders and pioneers in the esoteric analysis of popular culture.
Education
Our academic experts offer accessible in-depth lectures and curricula on the conditions of modernity that provide the foundations for cultural engineering. Learn firsthand the philosophical, religious, and historical theories that shed light on the formation of mass media manipulation.
“The American motion picture is the greatest unconscious carrier of propaganda in the world today. It is a great distributor for ideas and opinions. The motion picture can standardize the ideas and habits of a nation.”
– Edward Bernays (known as the father of public relations), Propaganda (1928)
Explore our database of records
From production agreements to advertising deals, declassified correspondence and more, we have several thousand documents available and regularly upload more
Become a Culture Decoder
We are always looking for new collaborators.
Follow the links below for more information or to contact us directly.