Aldous Huxley - Propaganda in a Democratic Society

[Room101]

<snip>

But in the immediate future there is some reason to believe that the punitive measures of 1984 will give place to the reinforcements and manipulations of Brave New World.

There are two kinds of propaganda - rational propaganda in favor of action that is consonant with the enlightened self-interest of those who make it and those to whom it is addressed, and non-rational propaganda that is not consonant with anybody's enlightened self-interest, but is dictated by, and appeals to, passion. Were the actions of individuals are concerned there are motives more exhalted than enlightened self-interest, but where collective action has to be taken in the fields of politics and economics, enlightened self-interest is probably the highest of effective motives.

If politicians and their constituents always acted to promote their own or their country's long-range self-interest, this world would be an earthly paradise. As it is, they often act against their own interests, merely to gratify their least credible passions; the world, in consequence, is a place of misery.

http://www.deoxy.org/huxley1.htm

[alexwcovington]

1. A gram is better than a damn

If you haven't yet -- read "Brave New World."

[JackSwift]

2. Lovely, wonderful Soma

Beautiful Soma.


OH, CRAP! THIS ISN'T SOMA, IT'S FOX NEWS!!!!

[alexwcovington]

3. Shhh...

Denham's Dentrifice. Denham's Dentrifice. Denham's Dentrifice. Denham's Dentrifice. Denham's Dentrifice. Denham's Dentrifice. Denham's Dentrifice. Denham's Dentrifice. Denham's Dentrifice.

[Room101]

4. Have you guys read Revisited?

A prophetic vision so stunningly accurate that it has Orwell grinning with envy from the grave.