Geeks like to think that they can ignore politics, you can leave politics alone, but politics won't leave you alone.
Richard StallmanRead
The foulest damage to our political life comes not from the 'secrets' which they hide from us, but from the little bits of half-truth and disinformation which they do tell us. These are already pre-digested, and then are sicked up as little gobbits of authorised spew. The columns of defense correspondents in the establishment sheets serve as the spittoons.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The biggest threat to politics comes from the misleading information given to us rather than hidden secrets.
E. P. Thompson highlights the dangers posed by incomplete truths and misinformation that are presented to the public. He argues that the real harm is not merely in the secrets that are kept from the citizens, but in the selective and often twisted information that is shared, which can mislead and manipulate public opinion. This suggests that a lack of transparency and honesty in political communication can be more harmful than outright deception.
Themes
PoliticsTruthDisinformationMisleadingCommunication
In practice
Example use cases
In a political debate about misinformation, this quote could highlight the dangers of manipulated truths.
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