Concern for others Quote by Noam Chomsky
““These sectors of the doctrinal system serve to divert the unwashed masses and reinforce the basic social values: passivity, submissiveness to authority, the overriding virtue of greed and personal gain, lack of concern for others, fear of real or imagined enemies, etc. The goal is to keep the bewildered herd bewildered. It's unnecessary for them to trouble themselves with what's happening in the world. In fact, it's undesirable -- if they see too much of reality they may set themselves to change it.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Media Control, 1991
Mass media often manipulates public perception, promoting passivity and self‑interest while obscuring reality, to maintain power structures.
In simple terms: Media manipulates to keep people passive.
Key Takeaway
Question media narratives critically.
Themes
media influence
power
control
passivity
reality
Mood
skeptical
reflective
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- Political campaigns
- news consumption
- education curricula
- social media
- public policy
Key Concepts
Propaganda
critical thinking
social engineering
cognitive bias
Questions to Reflect On
- What sources challenge mainstream narratives?
- How does media shape your values?
A Different Perspective
Alternative sources and critical discourse can counteract manipulation.
![“I wrote an article about the marine landing [in Haiti] right away, but barely mentioned the oil, because my article would come out two months later and I assumed by then, "of course, everybody knows." Nobody knew. There was a news report in the Wall Street Journal, in the petroleum journals, and…” quote by Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dc5/noam-chomsky-42_articles_i-wrote-an-article-about-the-marine-land_13341.jpg)
