Tuesday, May 27, 2008

quoting the smart (6)

"What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one. Orwell feared those who would deprive us of information. Huxley feared those who would give us so much that we would be reduced to passivity and egoism. Orwell feared that the truth would be concealed from us. Huxley feared the truth would be drowned in a sea of irrelevance."

-- Neil Postman, from Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business. When I read this quotation, I see Karl Rove chuckling to himself as he watches skateboard wipeout videos on YouTube.

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