Jhon Swinton quote

"There is no such a thing in America as an independent press, unless it is out in country towns. You are all slaves. You know it, and I know it. There is not one of you who dares to express an honest opinion. If you expressed it, you would know beforehand that it would never appear in print. I am paid $150 for keeping honest opinions out of the paper I am connected with. Others of you are paid similar salaries for doing similar things. If I should allow honest opinions to be printed in one issue of my paper, I would be like Othello before twenty-four hours: my occupation would be gone. The man who would be so foolish as to write honest opinions would be out on the street hunting for another job. The business of a New York journalist is to distort the truth, to lie outright, to pervert, to villify, to fawn at the feet of Mammon, and to sell his country and his race for his daily bread, or for what is about the same — his salary. You know this, and I know it; and what foolery to be toasting an "Independent Press"! We are the tools and vassals of rich men behind the scenes. We are jumping-jacks. They pull the string and we dance. Our time, our talents, our lives, our possibilities, are all the property of other men. We are intellectual prostitutes."

I would generalise that to the whole world actually. Easy to see it anywhere

I bet 1 PC that brianwl will upvote within the hour

Напишано од Noir Brillant, 02.06.2017 at 09:21

I bet 1 PC that brianwl will upvote within the hour

I hoped at least someone would recognise this as a truth, no matter their ideology. Just to find some common ground between so much disparity of opinions and behaviours...

inb4 I get flamed...

Напишано од Noir Brillant, 02.06.2017 at 09:21

I bet 1 PC that brianwl will upvote within the hour

Damn, now i have to wait 45 minutes =D

Напишано од RaulPB, 02.06.2017 at 08:09

"There is no such a thing in America as an independent press, unless it is out in country towns. You are all slaves. You know it, and I know it. There is not one of you who dares to express an honest opinion. If you expressed it, you would know beforehand that it would never appear in print. I am paid $150 for keeping honest opinions out of the paper I am connected with. Others of you are paid similar salaries for doing similar things. If I should allow honest opinions to be printed in one issue of my paper, I would be like Othello before twenty-four hours: my occupation would be gone. The man who would be so foolish as to write honest opinions would be out on the street hunting for another job. The business of a New York journalist is to distort the truth, to lie outright, to pervert, to villify, to fawn at the feet of Mammon, and to sell his country and his race for his daily bread, or for what is about the same — his salary. You know this, and I know it; and what foolery to be toasting an "Independent Press"! We are the tools and vassals of rich men behind the scenes. We are jumping-jacks. They pull the string and we dance. Our time, our talents, our lives, our possibilities, are all the property of other men. We are intellectual prostitutes."

I would generalise that to the whole world actually. Easy to see it anywhere

Whole world with a few exceptions... there remains one or two who keep their virtue ♥

It's a bit hyperbolised but I agree with the sentiment

I agree. the world is sold.

They will fuck up and lose there grip as all tyrants do. There will be suffering but we will rebuild, as we always do. There will be prosperity for awhile but relitivly wealthy living isn't enough for some, and they will seek more and more, then seek it all and fail. For a species that was blessed with an intellect such as ours you would think people would understand by now, that to much power in the hands of anyone will corrupt them in definitly and usually that corruption is passed on to there inept kids who destroy everything they created, and thus the cycle continues.

Напишано од Zephyrusu, 02.06.2017 at 11:11

It's a bit hyperbolised but I agree with the sentiment

It was made by an actual reporter so... I kinda doubt it's exaggerated at all, it's impossible for it to get any more honest and realistic than that

Напишано од Helly, 02.06.2017 at 13:23

They will fuck up and lose there grip as all tyrants do. There will be suffering but we will rebuild, as we always do. There will be prosperity for awhile but relitivly wealthy living isn't enough for some, and they will seek more and more, then seek it all and fail. For a species that was blessed with an intellect such as ours you would think people would understand by now, that to much power in the hands of anyone will corrupt them in definitly and usually that corruption is passed on to there inept kids who destroy everything they created, and thus the cycle continues.

Okey, that was pretty enlightening and devastating... but I'm afraid it's hard to think otherwise nowadays... we ought to kill those tyrants while they still haven't killed us yet!

Напишано од RaulPB, 02.06.2017 at 13:28

Напишано од Helly, 02.06.2017 at 13:23

They will fuck up and lose there grip as all tyrants do. There will be suffering but we will rebuild, as we always do. There will be prosperity for awhile but relitivly wealthy living isn't enough for some, and they will seek more and more, then seek it all and fail. For a species that was blessed with an intellect such as ours you would think people would understand by now, that to much power in the hands of anyone will corrupt them in definitly and usually that corruption is passed on to there inept kids who destroy everything they created, and thus the cycle continues.

Okey, that was pretty enlightening and devastating... but I'm afraid it's hard to think otherwise nowadays... we ought to kill those tyrants while they still haven't killed us yet!

You can try but I fear they are already at the hight of there power, no one could destroy rome at its height you will fail and die, might as well let history repeat itself again and let them destroy themselves from within. Decadence Is a powerful thing and when you have all you want and ambition leaves you, corruption sets in and destroys you.

Напишано од RaulPB, 02.06.2017 at 13:25

It was made by an actual reporter so... I kinda doubt it's exaggerated at all, it's impossible for it to get any more honest and realistic than that

People with first-hand experience often tend to have their emotions get the better of them. I was referring mostly to the conclusion, not to what he said they had him do.

Напишано од Helly, 02.06.2017 at 13:31

You can try but I fear they are already at the hight of there power, no one could destroy rome at its height you will fail and die, might as well let history repeat itself again and let them destroy themselves from within. Decadence Is a powerful thing and when you have all you want and ambition leaves you, corruption sets in and destroys you.

But that sounds like giving up on "changing history", seems like a predetermined fate...

Напишано од Zephyrusu, 02.06.2017 at 13:50

People with first-hand experience often tend to have their emotions get the better of them. I was referring mostly to the conclusion, not to what he said they had him do.

You mean about the intellectual prostitutes statement?

Напишано од RaulPB, 02.06.2017 at 13:56

You mean about the intellectual prostitutes statement?

No, the whole "everything is decided by them, you can't do anything" part.

Напишано од RaulPB, 02.06.2017 at 13:54

Напишано од Helly, 02.06.2017 at 13:31

You can try but I fear they are already at the hight of there power, no one could destroy rome at its height you will fail and die, might as well let history repeat itself again and let them destroy themselves from within. Decadence Is a powerful thing and when you have all you want and ambition leaves you, corruption sets in and destroys you.

But that sounds like giving up on "changing history", seems like a predetermined fate...

Nope its not, I added my opinion that I believe it's pointless as they control every aspect of your life already. Your food, water, electricity, education, pharmaceuticals, enviornment, government, media, military. They control it all. But don't let that stop you start the great Spanish civil war and take your country back. Just to be called terrorist and get raped by the United states, if your lucky maybe they will only rape you economically like Venezuela, if your unlucky you can get raped militarily like syria, lybia, and iraq. The United states is the sword and shield of the corrupt globalist empire and untill they fall no where is safe.

Напишано од Helly, 02.06.2017 at 14:17

Напишано од RaulPB, 02.06.2017 at 13:54

Напишано од Helly, 02.06.2017 at 13:31

You can try but I fear they are already at the hight of there power, no one could destroy rome at its height you will fail and die, might as well let history repeat itself again and let them destroy themselves from within. Decadence Is a powerful thing and when you have all you want and ambition leaves you, corruption sets in and destroys you.

But that sounds like giving up on "changing history", seems like a predetermined fate...

Nope its not, I added my opinion that I believe it's pointless as they control every aspect of your life already. Your food, water, electricity, education, pharmaceuticals, enviornment, government, media, military. They control it all. But don't let that stop you start the great Spanish civil war and take your country back. Just to be called terrorist and get raped by the United states, if your lucky maybe they will only rape you economically like Venezuela, if your unlucky you can get raped militarily like syria, lybia, and iraq. The United states is the sword and shield of the corrupt globalist empire and untill they fall no where is safe.

And the layers of control don't stop there. One of the more frustrating layers is how many controlled people will argue against Helly's 'opinion'. Imagine being imprisoned, and all the inmates believe they are free as birds, as evidenced by the fact they get to choose between an apple and a banana with their breakfast, and they can choose whether or not to work out, or play basketball on the yard. What more freedom could they possibly want - having no other experiences other than the ones provided them by their keepers?

And so when someone comes along and says 'you're being controlled' - they turn on him and knife him in the lunch line while the guards look the other way.

It's not an opinion... it is now a challenge to name one aspect of your life that isn't explicitly controlled by government legislation. Sure the plantation has a lot of amenities and luxuries in comparison to 'mainstream' notions of slavery... but make no mistake, no matter how soft the velvet over the iron fist, we are thoroughly controlled.

(Prob why i spend so much time playing AW.)

Напишано од Helly, 02.06.2017 at 14:17

Nope its not, I added my opinion that I believe it's pointless as they control every aspect of your life already. Your food, water, electricity, education, pharmaceuticals, enviornment, government, media, military. They control it all. But don't let that stop you start the great Spanish civil war and take your country back. Just to be called terrorist and get raped by the United states, if your lucky maybe they will only rape you economically like Venezuela, if your unlucky you can get raped militarily like syria, lybia, and iraq. The United states is the sword and shield of the corrupt globalist empire and untill they fall no where is safe.

You're so right it made me realise how scary that sounds...

Now that I think about it, spanish civil war and transaction from dictatorship towards democracy was supervised by the usa..........

Напишано од Zephyrusu, 02.06.2017 at 14:02

No, the whole "everything is decided by them, you can't do anything" part.

So what do you think you can decide on?

Напишано од RaulPB, 02.06.2017 at 17:24

So what do you think you can decide on?

Who you work for, what job you do and even take the initiative to start your own operation. Sure not anybody can do it but it's not like it's impossible.

Напишано од Zephyrusu, 02.06.2017 at 19:26

Who you work for, what job you do and even take the initiative to start your own operation. Sure not anybody can do it but it's not like it's impossible.

Does that actually make a difference in society though? It is built how it is built not by ourselves and we have no power in changing that. Having to work, 5-6-7 days a week, no time to rest, think, live. Also, in the end, you always work for the same people, the 1% with all the money and power. It's a false sensation of decision.

Напишано од RaulPB, 02.06.2017 at 19:45

Does that actually make a difference in society though? It is built how it is built not by ourselves and we have no power in changing that. Having to work, 5-6-7 days a week, no time to rest, think, live. Also, in the end, you always work for the same people, the 1% with all the money and power. It's a false sensation of decision.

What about people who make videos for youtube, for example? Or people like Amok and Ivan who just made their own game and hosted it online? Also it's not like people are working 24/7, they do have free time to think (but they choose not to, but that's another discussion). And you can change society. The internet in the modern sense was created by researchers in CERN, not some big company or any of the "wealthy and powerful elite".

Напишано од Zephyrusu, 03.06.2017 at 04:59

What about people who make videos for youtube, for example? Or people like Amok and Ivan who just made their own game and hosted it online? Also it's not like people are working 24/7, they do have free time to think (but they choose not to, but that's another discussion). And you can change society. The internet in the modern sense was created by researchers in CERN, not some big company or any of the "wealthy and powerful elite".

They're still working for the 1% and being of entertainment for the average population in order to not make them think about their surrounding, just banal issues. As for ivan and amok, this is just a mere hobby, which they've already kinda given up on cause real life work is too much for them to keep their iniciative.
Yeah, they do, but they need to invest that free time into house chores and when weekend arrives they feel too tired to think about important issues and rather have a beer and watch football than do any efforts.
You can? Really? How?
And now check who is taking advantage of internet. The wealthy and powerful elite.

Напишано од Zephyrusu, 03.06.2017 at 04:59

Напишано од RaulPB, 02.06.2017 at 19:45

Does that actually make a difference in society though? It is built how it is built not by ourselves and we have no power in changing that. Having to work, 5-6-7 days a week, no time to rest, think, live. Also, in the end, you always work for the same people, the 1% with all the money and power. It's a false sensation of decision.

What about people who make videos for youtube, for example? Or people like Amok and Ivan who just made their own game and hosted it online? Also it's not like people are working 24/7, they do have free time to think (but they choose not to, but that's another discussion). And you can change society. The internet in the modern sense was created by researchers in CERN, not some big company or any of the "wealthy and powerful elite".

There is a distinction between 'being controlled' and 'making a decision given to you by the controllers'.

Youtube is a subsidiary of google, a multinational corporation controlled by the wealthy and powerful elite Helly is referring.
Youtube videos are monetized and consequently owned (in a legal sense) by the financial institutions, investors and corporations holding a stake. Anyone who has had a youtube video removed knows there is no freedom of expression. As long as your content stays 'inside the fence of the prison' you're fine... you'll never come up against any opposition.

Another way to look at this distinction is a menu: if every decision you make is like a menu choice from the controllers, who is ultimately in control? {Hint => The person creating the menu.}

I'm not contesting your view that there are decisions to be made... but Helly is correct in saying nearly every decision you make is by 'their' design, and so it is a false sense of decision. You are correct in pointing out that 'free time to think' is one of our remaining freedoms (although even this is influenced on multiple levels.)

You are also correct in referring to Amok and Ivan... they have made a conscious choice not to commercialize their game or insist on commercial emails to create accounts (nearly every other computer game does this, so this is credit to them for not prostituting their game.) It's also interesting to point out their stated motives for creating the game (which seem consistent with what they've done, in spite of their recent lack of further development.) - i.e. it wasn't strictly commercial success... it was something they were passionate about...

♥

Напишано од RaulPB, 03.06.2017 at 06:28

Напишано од Zephyrusu, 03.06.2017 at 04:59

What about people who make videos for youtube, for example? Or people like Amok and Ivan who just made their own game and hosted it online? Also it's not like people are working 24/7, they do have free time to think (but they choose not to, but that's another discussion). And you can change society. The internet in the modern sense was created by researchers in CERN, not some big company or any of the "wealthy and powerful elite".

They're still working for the 1% and being of entertainment for the average population in order to not make them think about their surrounding, just banal issues. As for ivan and amok, this is just a mere hobby, which they've already kinda given up on cause real life work is too much for them to keep their iniciative.
Yeah, they do, but they need to invest that free time into house chores and when weekend arrives they feel too tired to think about important issues and rather have a beer and watch football than do any efforts.
You can? Really? How?
And now check who is taking advantage of internet. The wealthy and powerful elite.

So you're saying that whoever makes entertainment material is actually working for "the 1% elite"? Therefore you're implying we need to eradicate entertainment from our lives and live a life of... what exactly? There are many people who like to sit in their free time and think about various issues, they are few, but that's not because of anyone enforcing anything, it's because humans by themselves find it boring to think. And while yes the internet was abused and commercialised there is still plenty of free material out there and overall is one of the least controlled sectors of modern society. Even if the elite did abuse the internet it's a fact that the people who made it made a radical change to society and it's also a fact that they were neither particularly wealthy nor in a position of power, just some dudes with brains and determination. I'm not denying that the wealthy elite control and influence various aspects of our lives, but thinking that they control everything and whatever you do is based on their decisions is absurd.

Напишано од Zephyrusu, 03.06.2017 at 07:00

Напишано од RaulPB, 03.06.2017 at 06:28

Напишано од Zephyrusu, 03.06.2017 at 04:59

What about people who make videos for youtube, for example? Or people like Amok and Ivan who just made their own game and hosted it online? Also it's not like people are working 24/7, they do have free time to think (but they choose not to, but that's another discussion). And you can change society. The internet in the modern sense was created by researchers in CERN, not some big company or any of the "wealthy and powerful elite".

They're still working for the 1% and being of entertainment for the average population in order to not make them think about their surrounding, just banal issues. As for ivan and amok, this is just a mere hobby, which they've already kinda given up on cause real life work is too much for them to keep their iniciative.
Yeah, they do, but they need to invest that free time into house chores and when weekend arrives they feel too tired to think about important issues and rather have a beer and watch football than do any efforts.
You can? Really? How?
And now check who is taking advantage of internet. The wealthy and powerful elite.

So you're saying that whoever makes entertainment material is actually working for "the 1% elite"? Therefore you're implying we need to eradicate entertainment from our lives and live a life of... what exactly? There are many people who like to sit in their free time and think about various issues, they are few, but that's not because of anyone enforcing anything, it's because humans by themselves find it boring to think. And while yes the internet was abused and commercialised there is still plenty of free material out there and overall is one of the least controlled sectors of modern society. Even if the elite did abuse the internet it's a fact that the people who made it made a radical change to society and it's also a fact that they were neither particularly wealthy nor in a position of power, just some dudes with brains and determination. I'm not denying that the wealthy elite control and influence various aspects of our lives, but thinking that they control everything and whatever you do is based on their decisions is absurd.

You did mention a good test... "there is still plenty of free material." There are people who use the 'commercial distribution system' to effectively distribute information without profiting... there are many people now who use these networks to get news and other non-commercial information. But 'many' in this sense is still only less than a percent of the general population probably.

You mentioned entertainment, and this a perfect example... if you've ever visited a local park or public amphitheater and watched a group of non-paid entertainers perform an original piece, you probably walked away feeling exceptionally good. So this is an example of freedom also, so i doubt Raul is implying we should eradicate entertainment.

That you can't imagine this possibility is exactly why the control system is so effective... it removes 'non-menu' items from your consciousness, so you can't even choose non-commercial options if you wanted.

(As an aside, AW , in my view anyway, is the gaming equivalent of a local theatre group performing in your neighbourhood park - and is what i would consider an entertainment activity.)


But commercially successful entertainment produced by a handful of corporations do follow a formula... and then yes , you are working for the 1% elite.

Напишано од Zephyrusu, 03.06.2017 at 07:00

So you're saying that whoever makes entertainment material is actually working for "the 1% elite"? Therefore you're implying we need to eradicate entertainment from our lives and live a life of... what exactly? There are many people who like to sit in their free time and think about various issues, they are few, but that's not because of anyone enforcing anything, it's because humans by themselves find it boring to think. And while yes the internet was abused and commercialised there is still plenty of free material out there and overall is one of the least controlled sectors of modern society. Even if the elite did abuse the internet it's a fact that the people who made it made a radical change to society and it's also a fact that they were neither particularly wealthy nor in a position of power, just some dudes with brains and determination. I'm not denying that the wealthy elite control and influence various aspects of our lives, but thinking that they control everything and whatever you do is based on their decisions is absurd.

Yup, in a certain way those are working for the 1% since they are the ones paying for the creation of this content, under their constant supervision. You should also notice its name, entertainment. Entertainment from what? From ourselves, from our thoughts, from our lives. I'm not saying we don't need some from time to time, but there's a massive offer out there, truly overwhelming, which discourages us from doing anything else besides consuming that entertainment. You know the old roman proverb, right? "Panem et circenses", or "bread and circus". Keep them entertained and they won't riot against you. Exactly what government keep trying to prevent, people movilising against them cause they've gained conciousness of their own lack of free will. We're here to study predetermined jobs, work to keep the 1% rich and then die basically.

Yeah, internet is a freaking awsome tool and has made a difference for us. But specially for those in charge as well since they can now supervise us even deeper and much more carefully. All information in the internet is sold and comecialised, even if we do not notice and helps to mantain the 1% where it is. Also remember how internet has become the new media and helps to spread agendas and most if not all media around here is also controled by those with money.

They do not control everything but they do control our obligations, rights, etc. Is there anything else in life to control?

Напишано од RaulPB, 03.06.2017 at 08:04

Yup, in a certain way those are working for the 1% since they are the ones paying for the creation of this content, under their constant supervision. You should also notice its name, entertainment. Entertainment from what? From ourselves, from our thoughts, from our lives. I'm not saying we don't need some from time to time, but there's a massive offer out there, truly overwhelming, which discourages us from doing anything else besides consuming that entertainment. You know the old roman proverb, right? "Panem et circenses", or "bread and circus". Keep them entertained and they won't riot against you. Exactly what government keep trying to prevent, people movilising against them cause they've gained conciousness of their own lack of free will. We're here to study predetermined jobs, work to keep the 1% rich and then die basically.

Yeah, internet is a freaking awsome tool and has made a difference for us. But specially for those in charge as well since they can now supervise us even deeper and much more carefully. All information in the internet is sold and comecialised, even if we do not notice and helps to mantain the 1% where it is. Also remember how internet has become the new media and helps to spread agendas and most if not all media around here is also controled by those with money.

They do not control everything but they do control our obligations, rights, etc. Is there anything else in life to control?

Not all entertainment is paid for by the 1%, plenty of minor developers make their own games, series etc. and release them, often for free. What about the word entertainment? Entertainment means being entertained which in turn means enjoying yourself. There is much to be offered out there but still I often find myself bored since I can't find anything that fits my interests. The fact that our jobs are predetermined is not because the elite force it to be so but because society is structured in such a manner that it needs some certain things to be done and thus needs certain people to do them. The internet was a TERRIBLE thing for the wealthy elite. People abandoned television and the radio, where only certain channels could be observed, and were thrown into a realm where anyone can say anything. They are trying to control it but it's simply uncontrollable. As for rights, no, they do not control our rights. If they did, you can be guaranteed we'd have MUCH less rights. There'd be no minimum wage, no pension etc.

Напишано од Zephyrusu, 03.06.2017 at 04:59

Напишано од RaulPB, 02.06.2017 at 19:45

Does that actually make a difference in society though? It is built how it is built not by ourselves and we have no power in changing that. Having to work, 5-6-7 days a week, no time to rest, think, live. Also, in the end, you always work for the same people, the 1% with all the money and power. It's a false sensation of decision.

What about people who make videos for youtube, for example? Or people like Amok and Ivan who just made their own game and hosted it online? Also it's not like people are working 24/7, they do have free time to think (but they choose not to, but that's another discussion). And you can change society. The internet in the modern sense was created by researchers in CERN, not some big company or any of the "wealthy and powerful elite".

YouTube is owned by Google. Independent business owners usually have to take out loans on startup which then they owe interest to bank. Even if they don't need to you still have to pay inappropriate extortion fees for existing in a country. Also known as taxation .