You cannot control your own population by force, but it can be distracted by consumption.

In the early 50s in the US, there was what was called McCarthyism and the only reason it succeeded was that there was no resistance to it. When they tried the same thing in the 60s it instantly collapsed because people simply laughed at it so they couldn't do it. Even a dictatorship can't do everything it wants. It's got to have some degree of popular support.

I think there is a good reason why the propaganda system works that way. It recognizes that the public will not support the actual policies. Therefore it is important to prevent any knowledge or understanding of them.

Greece has been, in many ways, a partially dysfunctional society. For example, the wealthy barely pay taxes... to an extent, that's true elsewhere, including the United States, but it's been pretty extreme in Greece.

The US health-care system is a complete scandal. It's got twice the costs of comparable countries and some of the worst outcomes.

Private companies can make a personal profile, direct you to things - they will say - that you would be interested in, but that's their choice not your choice.

The internet could be a very positive step towards education, organisation and participation in a meaningful society.