“As for those anti-imperialists who don’t participate in this festival of xenophobia — and here I include myself — we have our own elitist consolation: we accept the tragedy of masses of gullible sheeple falling for cunning propaganda because having overcome it flatters our own intelligence. The more we condemn society’s stupidity, the smarter we feel in comparison.”
- Masses, Elites, and Rebels: The Theory of “Brainwashing” (2022)
Roderic Day, 2022-05-23
I regularly think about two phases I've heard:
I feel like they remind me that when it comes to making choices & being duped, intelligence is mostly irrelevant.
My belief is that on an individual level, the counter to propaganda is both free time to ruminate on what we believe, and a strong network of people we trust who are willing to challenge us on the things we say and do. Two things which an atomized and overworked society looses at all levels.