Quotulatiousness

March 2, 2019

QotD: Big Brother

Filed under: Government, Media, Quotations — Tags: , , — Nicholas @ 01:00

Actually, it seems that Orwell was mistaken. Oppression does not have to mean dismal living conditions, horrible food, telescreen propaganda and rusty rationed razor blades. Big government can control people far more effectively by giving them a small slice of comfort and domesticity. Allow them a modest home. Encourage them to accumulate trinkets and toys and the occasional status symbol. Allow commercial marketing to develop the propaganda that shapes opinion and mood and sets people on the desired path.

Commercial marketing is far more effective than state propaganda — “Drivers Wanted” has recruited more people than any poster featuring a stern and serious Uncle Sam. Keep them somewhat comfortable, keep them acquisitive rather than inquisitive, keep them entertained rather than informed — and no-one will be seriously tempted to pursue an alternative.

Jonathan Piasecki, private e-mail, 1999-07-07. (Republished with permission)

Related posts:

  1. A useful idiot wants even more state surveillance, more Big Brother
  2. QotD: The basis of the music industry
  3. Everyone is watching – the rise of “Little Brother”
  4. President Obama’s “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative
  5. QotD: The reputation of Che Guevara proves “the triumph of marketing over truth and reality”

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