--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In the beginning, we create the enemy…" description: "\"In the beginning, we create the enemy. Before the weapon comes the image. We think others to death and then invent the battle-axe or ballistic missiles..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/335/sam-keen-4929_battle_in-the-beginning-we-create-the-enemy-bef_1467332.jpg" --- # In the beginning, we create the enemy. Before the weapon… ![“In the beginning, we create the enemy. Before the weapon comes the image. We think others to death and then invent the battle-axe or ballistic missiles with which to actually kill them. Propaganda precedes technology.” quote by Sam Keen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/335/sam-keen-4929_battle_in-the-beginning-we-create-the-enemy-bef_1467332.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/335/sam-keen-4929_battle_in-the-beginning-we-create-the-enemy-bef_1467332.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/335/sam-keen-4929_battle_in-the-beginning-we-create-the-enemy-bef_1467332.jpg) > “In the beginning, we create the enemy. Before the weapon comes the image. We think others to death and then invent the battle-axe or ballistic missiles with which to actually kill them. Propaganda precedes technology.” [Sam Keen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-keen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We first imagine enemies, then create weapons to destroy them; propaganda fuels technology. **In simple terms:** We imagine foes, then build weapons; propaganda precedes tech. Key Takeaway Question narratives before weaponizing. Themes war propaganda technology psychology Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - political campaigning - military planning - media literacy Key Concepts mythmaking media influence escalation Questions to Reflect On - What narratives shape your perception of threats? - How can we disrupt propaganda cycles? A Different Perspective Not all imagined enemies become real threats. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Battle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/battle/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Existential](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existential/) [Propaganda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/propaganda/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Weapons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weapons/) ## Related quotes > [“To use the enemy's weapon is to play the enemy's game...speak the truth and hear the truth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/to-use-the-enemy-s-weapon-is-to-play-the-enemy-s-game-speak-the-truth/) [Ursula K. 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