Exercise Quote by Don DeLillo
“I think if you maintain a force in the world that comes into people's sleep, you are exercising a meaningful power.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: White Noise, 1985
The quote suggests that influencing people's subconscious, especially through media, grants a deep and impactful form of power.
In simple terms: Controlling what people dream gives you real influence.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the subtle power of ideas that shape minds.
Themes
media
influence
subconscious
power
culture
Mood
thoughtful
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- advertising
- political messaging
- film
- social media
- public discourse
Key Concepts
psychology
mass media
cultural critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you use media responsibly?
- What subconscious messages shape your decisions?
A Different Perspective
The effect may be indirect and hard to measure, and ethical concerns arise.
![“With recidivism algorithms, for example, I worry about racist outcomes. With personality tests [for hiring], I worry about filtering out people with mental health problems from jobs. And with a teacher value-added model algorithm [used in New York City to score teachers], I worry literally that…” quote by Cathy O'Neil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7df/cathy-o-neil-11478_algorithms_with-recidivism-algorithms-for-example-i_18212.jpg)
![“The social [media channel] isn't about beauty contests and popularity contests. They're a distortion, a caricature of the real thing. It's about trust, connection, and community. That's what there's too little of in today's mediascape, despite all the hoopla surrounding social tools. The promise…” quote by Umair Haque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c85/umair-haque-25881_beauty_the-social-media-channel-isn-t-about-bea_1270.jpg)
