3 ms·

Is this a variation of the old "don't fucking complain about the status quo, you have a telescreen, not even the kings of old had a telescreen watching them! Ho

Is this a variation of the old "don't fucking complain about the status quo, you have a telescreen, not even the kings of old had a telescreen watching them! How dare you question the titans of industry, whose minion's diligent effort has provided you a telescreen at an affordable price!"?

rglover 2mo ago
Yes. There's (anecdotally) been an increase in "don't look at this mess objectively" type of content being put out lately. Presumably because a chair is about to be removed (or it's just garden variety psychological pressure to force a range of outcomes). It would seem obvious to anybody who lived in the past that the goal of civilizational progress is to...progress. But in our current era, you're gaslit into feeling guilty for desiring basic things (or any form of enjoyment); all the way down to basic living needs. It's a shame but there's no argument that you can present to others that won't devolve into either politics, straw man arguments, or just transparent abuse. Best to just ride the tiger and ignore it all as best as you can.
- Avicebron 2mo ago
  It's probably better to name and shame and make those responsible aware that everyone else knows they are responsible.
  - rglover 2mo ago
    Here are a few from just the last six months. Read into it what you will. [1] High gas prices and inflation are stressing people out — but the economy will be fine as long as they keep spending. - [https://www.marketwatch.com/story/high-gas-prices-and-inflation-are-stressing-people-out-but-the-economy-will-be-fine-as-long-as-they-keep-spending-4f4b66e3 https://www.marketwatch.com/story/high-gas-prices-and-inflat...](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/high-gas-prices-and-inflation-are-stressing-people-out-but-the-economy-will-be-fine-as-long-as-they-keep-spending-4f4b66e3 https://www.marketwatch.com/story/high-gas-prices-and-inflat...) [2] The 'Vibecession' Is Over. The 'Permacession' Is Here. - [https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/05/americans-depressed-economy/687278/ https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/05/americans-depresse...](https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/05/americans-depressed-economy/687278/ https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/05/americans-depresse...) [3] The Economy Is Booming. Why Does It Feel Like a Bust? - [https://www.wsj.com/podcasts/the-journal/the-economy-is-booming-why-does-it-feel-like-a-bust/6a24b679-9de1-4f60-9a4b-05dc193895c8 https://www.wsj.com/podcasts/the-journal/the-economy-is-boom...](https://www.wsj.com/podcasts/the-journal/the-economy-is-booming-why-does-it-feel-like-a-bust/6a24b679-9de1-4f60-9a4b-05dc193895c8 https://www.wsj.com/podcasts/the-journal/the-economy-is-boom...) [4] Why Americans hate the 'good' economy. - [https://www.axios.com/2026/06/25/economy-inflation-democrats-consumer-sentiment https://www.axios.com/2026/06/25/economy-inflation-democrats...](https://www.axios.com/2026/06/25/economy-inflation-democrats-consumer-sentiment https://www.axios.com/2026/06/25/economy-inflation-democrats...) [5] Most Of Us Are Richer Than Ever Before. Why Doesn't It Feel That Way? - [https://www.investopedia.com/most-of-us-are-richer-than-ever-before-why-doesnt-it-feel-that-way-12021657 https://www.investopedia.com/most-of-us-are-richer-than-ever...](https://www.investopedia.com/most-of-us-are-richer-than-ever-before-why-doesnt-it-feel-that-way-12021657 https://www.investopedia.com/most-of-us-are-richer-than-ever...) [6] Buying power is up 73%. Why do Americans feel broke? - [https://www.thestreet.com/economy/purchasing-power-in-america-50-year-study https://www.thestreet.com/economy/purchasing-power-in-americ...](https://www.thestreet.com/economy/purchasing-power-in-america-50-year-study https://www.thestreet.com/economy/purchasing-power-in-americ...)
jjice 2mo ago
I think there's a middle ground where we can appreciate the great things we have while also striving to continue to get better and not lock ourselves into either constant animosity for "the system" or constant self loathing for not appreciating what we have.
fasterik 2mo ago
That seems like an extrapolation to a pretty extreme conclusion. I don't see anything in the article that says anything like that. It's an appreciation of how much objective standards of living have improved over the past few centuries.
- nicebyte 2mo ago
  Sure yeah. propaganda has to be subtle sometimes.
  - fasterik 2mo ago
    Propaganda for what, exactly?
    - palmotea 2mo ago
      > Propaganda for what, exactly? The status quo. Framing things in this way is something I first encountered in libertarian/capitalist propaganda (when I didn't know better and was basically a dogmatic libertarian). The message is basically: people should focus on the goods the status quo provides, instead of the political power, economic security, etc. that it doesn't.
      - fasterik 2mo ago
        I don't see why pointing out improvements in quality of life is "propaganda for the status quo" or precludes talking about political power and economic security. We can and do talk about both all the time.
        sadlyuramoron 2mo ago
        [dead]
      - lanfeust6 2mo ago
        If you know anything about libertarian cranks, this doesn't make any sense and smacks of projection. They're not "satisfied with the status quo" qua political structure or economy. There's a value in gratitude and recognizing widespread improvements in QoL, in large part fuelled by growth in the past century, and taking advantage of state capacity. That's not tantamount to saying there are no issues today, let alone that you shouldn't care. You can at least criticize accurately and take things at face value.
saithound 2mo ago
Having read the article, I can confirm that it is.

rglover 2mo ago

Yes. There's (anecdotally) been an increase in "don't look at this mess objectively" type of content being put out lately. Presumably because a chair is about to be removed (or it's just garden variety psychological pressure to force a range of outcomes). It would seem obvious to anybody who lived in the past that the goal of civilizational progress is to...progress. But in our current era, you're gaslit into feeling guilty for desiring basic things (or any form of enjoyment); all the way down to basic living needs. It's a shame but there's no argument that you can present to others that won't devolve into either politics, straw man arguments, or just transparent abuse. Best to just ride the tiger and ignore it all as best as you can.

Avicebron 2mo ago
It's probably better to name and shame and make those responsible aware that everyone else knows they are responsible.
- rglover 2mo ago
  Here are a few from just the last six months. Read into it what you will. [1] High gas prices and inflation are stressing people out — but the economy will be fine as long as they keep spending. - [https://www.marketwatch.com/story/high-gas-prices-and-inflation-are-stressing-people-out-but-the-economy-will-be-fine-as-long-as-they-keep-spending-4f4b66e3 https://www.marketwatch.com/story/high-gas-prices-and-inflat...](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/high-gas-prices-and-inflation-are-stressing-people-out-but-the-economy-will-be-fine-as-long-as-they-keep-spending-4f4b66e3 https://www.marketwatch.com/story/high-gas-prices-and-inflat...) [2] The 'Vibecession' Is Over. The 'Permacession' Is Here. - [https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/05/americans-depressed-economy/687278/ https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/05/americans-depresse...](https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/05/americans-depressed-economy/687278/ https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/05/americans-depresse...) [3] The Economy Is Booming. Why Does It Feel Like a Bust? - [https://www.wsj.com/podcasts/the-journal/the-economy-is-booming-why-does-it-feel-like-a-bust/6a24b679-9de1-4f60-9a4b-05dc193895c8 https://www.wsj.com/podcasts/the-journal/the-economy-is-boom...](https://www.wsj.com/podcasts/the-journal/the-economy-is-booming-why-does-it-feel-like-a-bust/6a24b679-9de1-4f60-9a4b-05dc193895c8 https://www.wsj.com/podcasts/the-journal/the-economy-is-boom...) [4] Why Americans hate the 'good' economy. - [https://www.axios.com/2026/06/25/economy-inflation-democrats-consumer-sentiment https://www.axios.com/2026/06/25/economy-inflation-democrats...](https://www.axios.com/2026/06/25/economy-inflation-democrats-consumer-sentiment https://www.axios.com/2026/06/25/economy-inflation-democrats...) [5] Most Of Us Are Richer Than Ever Before. Why Doesn't It Feel That Way? - [https://www.investopedia.com/most-of-us-are-richer-than-ever-before-why-doesnt-it-feel-that-way-12021657 https://www.investopedia.com/most-of-us-are-richer-than-ever...](https://www.investopedia.com/most-of-us-are-richer-than-ever-before-why-doesnt-it-feel-that-way-12021657 https://www.investopedia.com/most-of-us-are-richer-than-ever...) [6] Buying power is up 73%. Why do Americans feel broke? - [https://www.thestreet.com/economy/purchasing-power-in-america-50-year-study https://www.thestreet.com/economy/purchasing-power-in-americ...](https://www.thestreet.com/economy/purchasing-power-in-america-50-year-study https://www.thestreet.com/economy/purchasing-power-in-americ...)

jjice 2mo ago

I think there's a middle ground where we can appreciate the great things we have while also striving to continue to get better and not lock ourselves into either constant animosity for "the system" or constant self loathing for not appreciating what we have.

fasterik 2mo ago

That seems like an extrapolation to a pretty extreme conclusion. I don't see anything in the article that says anything like that. It's an appreciation of how much objective standards of living have improved over the past few centuries.

nicebyte 2mo ago
Sure yeah. propaganda has to be subtle sometimes.
- fasterik 2mo ago
  Propaganda for what, exactly?
  - palmotea 2mo ago
    > Propaganda for what, exactly? The status quo. Framing things in this way is something I first encountered in libertarian/capitalist propaganda (when I didn't know better and was basically a dogmatic libertarian). The message is basically: people should focus on the goods the status quo provides, instead of the political power, economic security, etc. that it doesn't.
    - fasterik 2mo ago
      I don't see why pointing out improvements in quality of life is "propaganda for the status quo" or precludes talking about political power and economic security. We can and do talk about both all the time.
      - sadlyuramoron 2mo ago
        [dead]
    - lanfeust6 2mo ago
      If you know anything about libertarian cranks, this doesn't make any sense and smacks of projection. They're not "satisfied with the status quo" qua political structure or economy. There's a value in gratitude and recognizing widespread improvements in QoL, in large part fuelled by growth in the past century, and taking advantage of state capacity. That's not tantamount to saying there are no issues today, let alone that you shouldn't care. You can at least criticize accurately and take things at face value.

saithound 2mo ago

Having read the article, I can confirm that it is.