Chomsky
Marci Randall Miller
Well, I know probably the main purpose for your trip to Wyoming is to discuss "thought control in a democratic society." Now, all right, say I'm just Jane USA and I say, "Well, gee, this is a democratic society and what do you mean 'thought control'? I make up my own mind. I create my own destiny." What would you say to her?
Chomsky
Well I would suggest that Jane take a close look at the way the media operate, the way the public relations industry operates; the extensive thinking that's been going on for a long, long period about the necessity for finding ways to marginalize and control the public in democratic societies. But particularly to look at the evidence that's been accumulated about the way the major media, the sort of agenda-setting media -- I mean the national press and the television and so on -- the way they shape and control the kinds of opinions that appear, the kinds of information that comes through, the sources to which they go, and so on, and I think that Jane will find some very surprising things out about the democratic system.
Well, I know probably the main purpose for your trip to Wyoming is to discuss "thought control in a democratic society." Now, all right, say I'm just Jane USA and I say, "Well, gee, this is a democratic society and what do you mean 'thought control'? I make up my own mind. I create my own destiny." What would you say to her?
Chomsky
Well I would suggest that Jane take a close look at the way the media operate, the way the public relations industry operates; the extensive thinking that's been going on for a long, long period about the necessity for finding ways to marginalize and control the public in democratic societies. But particularly to look at the evidence that's been accumulated about the way the major media, the sort of agenda-setting media -- I mean the national press and the television and so on -- the way they shape and control the kinds of opinions that appear, the kinds of information that comes through, the sources to which they go, and so on, and I think that Jane will find some very surprising things out about the democratic system.