Civil servants Quote by David Brin
““Yes, but all that’s needed is to break reciprocity,” he answered. “By controlling information, making sure it flows one way. Take over the databases. Trump up panic situations, so the public will support paternalistic ‘protections.’ Make sure lots of privacy laws get passed, then bribe open some back doors, so elites can see it all anyway, and ‘privacy’ only protects them. “Of course there’s more to the program than that,” Hamish continued, gaining momentum. “The smarty-pants knowledge castes will see what’s happening and complain. So you propagandize a lot of populist resentment against the scientists and other professionals, calling them ‘smug elites.’ Finally … when the civil servants and techies have lost the public’s trust, just cut the other estates out of the information loop, take complete control over the cameras and government agencies and voilà! A tyranny that lasts millennia!””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Earth Unaware by David Brin, 1998
Control of information can be twisted to create fear, justify paternalistic policies, and consolidate power, leading to long‑term tyranny.
In simple terms: Manipulating data creates fear and control.
Key Takeaway
Guard transparency and protect privacy.
Themes
power
control
information
fear
tyranny
Mood
cautious
critical
skeptical
Type
political
warning
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political campaigns
- media regulation
- corporate data policies
- public health emergencies
Key Concepts
surveillance
propaganda
elite dominance
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies balance security with privacy?
- What safeguards prevent elite abuse of data?
A Different Perspective
Public distrust can undermine legitimate safety measures.
