In a democracy, the citizens are supposed to have all the power, and the government is supposed to be the means by which the citizens exercise that power. But when you have a surveillance state, the state has all the… — Trevor Paglen Copy Share Image
Infrastructures of power always inhabit the surface of the earth somehow, or the skies above the earth. They're material things, always, and even though the metaphors we use to describe them are often immaterial - for example, we might describe… — Trevor Paglen Copy Share Image
I believe that art can make relevant and progressive contributions to culture and society. — Trevor Paglen Copy Share Image
Photography has become so fundamental to the way we see that 'photography' and 'seeing' are becoming more and more synonymous. The ubiquity of photography… — Trevor Paglen Copy Share Image
I'm pretty cynical about the future, but I feel like that's not an ethical position for me to take. It's not okay for me… — Trevor Paglen Copy Share Image
Civilian law around aviation is much looser than those governing military. Civilian planes can basically fly wherever they want in the world. — Trevor Paglen Copy Share Image
I think the automation of vision is a much bigger deal than the invention of perspective. — Trevor Paglen Copy Share Image
Many of the things that shape the way the world looks are, quite frankly, invisible. — Trevor Paglen Copy Share Image
Geosynchronous spacecraft will be among civilization's most enduring remnants, quietly circling Earth until the Earth is no more. — Trevor Paglen Copy Share Image
Traditionally, images have functioned as representations of something in the world, but we are quickly approaching the point where vast majority of images are… — Trevor Paglen Copy Share Image
Images can make realities out of people and struggles - the reality we give them. Images really matter. — Trevor Paglen Copy Share Image
It's productive and fun to try interpreting cave paintings, but ultimately, they can't teach us anything beyond what we imagine them to be. — Trevor Paglen Copy Share Image
Before Christianity became the Roman Empire's official religion in the 4th Century, 'mystery religions,' organized around a central canon of secret knowledge, were widespread.… — Trevor Paglen Copy Share Image