Modern industrial civilization has developed within a certain system of convenient myths. The driving force of modern industrial civilization has been individual material gain, which is accepted as legitimate, even praiseworthya society that is based on this principle will destroy itself in time. It can only persistas long as it is possible to pretend that the destructive forces that humans create are limited, that the world is an infinite resource, andan infinite garbage can.Either the general population will take control of its own destiny and will concern itself with community interests, guided by values of solidarity, sympathy and concern for others, or alternatively there will be no destiny for anyone to control.The question is whether privileged elite should dominate mass communication and should use this powerto impose necessary illusions, to manipulate and deceive the stupid majority and remove them from the public arena. The question in brief, is whether democracy and freedom are values to be preserved or threats to be avoided. In this possibly terminal phase of human existence, democracy and freedom are more than values to be treasured; they may well be essential to survival.
Noam Chomsky