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This Power Elite directly employs several millions of the country´s working force in its factories, offices and stores, controls many millions more by lending them the money to buy its products, and, through its ownership of the media of mass communication, influences the thoughts, the feelings and the actions of virtually everybody. To parody the words of W. Churchill, never have so many been manipulated so much by few.
Aldous Huxley
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote highlights the power dynamics between the elite and the masses, illustrating how a small group can exert significant influence over many.

Aldous Huxley's quote critiques the social structure where a powerful elite controls various aspects of society, including the workforce, economy, and mass media. This manipulation allows a select few to shape the ideals, opinions, and behaviors of the broader population, raising questions about autonomy and the effects of concentrated power on democracy and individual thought.

Themes

PowerManipulationEliteMediaInfluenceSociety

In practice

Example use cases

During a lecture on social justice, this quote can help illustrate the unequal power dynamics present in society.

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To his dog, every man is Napoleon; hence the constant popularity of dogs.
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The leech's kiss, the squid's embrace, The prurient ape's defiling touch: And do you like the human race? No, not much.
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