By virtue of the way it has organized its technological base, contemporary industrial society tends to be totalitarian. For "totalitarian" is not only a terroristic political coordination of society, but also a non-terroristic economic-technical coordination which operates through the manipulation of needs by vested interests.

The people recognize themselves in their commodities; they find their soul in their automobile, hi-fi set, split-level home, kitchen equipment.

The sickness of the individual is ultimately caused by and sustained by the sickness of his civilization

Behind the aesthetic form lies the repressed harmony of sensuousness and reason

Free election of masters does not abolish the masters or the slaves.

Contemporary industrial society is now characterised more than ever by "the need for stupefying work where it is no longer a real necessity."

This society turns everything it touches into a potential source of progress and exploitation, of drudgery and satisfaction, of freedom and of oppression.