Brooms Quote by John Perry Barlow
“One can imagine the government's problem. This is all pretty magical stuff to them. If I were trying to terminate the operations of a witch coven, I'd probably seize everything in sight. How would I tell the ordinary household brooms from the getaway vehicles?”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Future of Governance, 1995
Government may view magical problems as threats; distinguishing normal from dangerous is hard.
In simple terms: Government sees magic as threat.
Key Takeaway
Clarify threats carefully.
Themes
government
security
magic
perception
Mood
cautious
thoughtful
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- law enforcement
- community safety
Key Concepts
political theory
mythology
Questions to Reflect On
- How to differentiate ordinary from dangerous?
- What criteria should guide enforcement?
A Different Perspective
Over‑classification can harm innocents.
