The author assumes that everyone(including our parents and less than technical peers) knew it was a surveillance device. Saying like "1984 is not a manual.." we

The author assumes that everyone(including our parents and less than technical peers) knew it was a surveillance device. Saying like "1984 is not a manual.." were considered by the masses to be nothing more than a pessimistic saying. At some level...myself and [likely] others really didn't expect it to turn evil so quickly and so effectively. Meanwhile... the devices got sticky - they are packed with ways to cause addiction and enjoyment; filled with bread and circuses.