--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In an early article Jean Baudrillard…" description: "\"“In an early article Jean Baudrillard wrote: “It is useless to fantasize about state projection of police control through TV. . . . TV, by virtue of it..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43a/scott-bukatman-67430_social-control_in-an-early-article-jean-baudrillard-wro_322924.jpg" --- # In an early article Jean Baudrillard wrote: “It is useless… ![“In an early article Jean Baudrillard wrote: “It is useless to fantasize about state projection of police control through TV. . . . TV, by virtue of its mere presence, is a social control in itself. There is no need to imagine it as a state periscope spying on everybody’s life– the situation as it…” quote by Scott Bukatman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43a/scott-bukatman-67430_social-control_in-an-early-article-jean-baudrillard-wro_322924.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43a/scott-bukatman-67430_social-control_in-an-early-article-jean-baudrillard-wro_322924.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43a/scott-bukatman-67430_social-control_in-an-early-article-jean-baudrillard-wro_322924.jpg) > ““In an early article Jean Baudrillard wrote: “It is useless to fantasize about state projection of police control through TV. . . . TV, by virtue of its mere presence, is a social control in itself. There is no need to imagine it as a state periscope spying on everybody’s life– the situation as it stands is more efficient than that: it is the certainty that people are no longer speaking to each other.”” Scott Bukatman ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. TV functions as a pervasive social control simply by existing, reducing direct human communication and making surveillance unnecessary. **In simple terms:** TV controls society just by being there, limiting conversation. Key Takeaway Recognize and foster genuine dialogue beyond screens. Themes media influence social control communication surveillance technology Mood reflective critical concerned Type analytical observational When to use this quote - family dinner - online meetings - public spaces - educational settings Key Concepts hyperreality media theory social isolation Questions to Reflect On - How does constant media presence affect your willingness to speak openly? - What alternatives to TV can restore direct communication? A Different Perspective It may overstate TV's role, ignoring other forms of interaction and agency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Social control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social-control/) [Television](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/television/) ## Related quotes > [Much of reality TV has been like the worst nightmares of Theodor Adorno and Jean Baudrillard come true, its seductive allure turning us into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-fisher/much-of-reality-tv-has-been-like-the-worst-nightmares-of-theodor/) [Mark Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-fisher/) > [A new survey reveals that women would rather give up sex than give up the remote control for the TV. Men, on the other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conan-o-brien/a-new-survey-reveals-that-women-would-rather-give-up-sex-than-give-up/) [Conan O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conan-o-brien/) > [Jean Baudrillard is a friend of mine, I do not agree with him on that one! 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