According to Thomas Bancroft, the influential, government-sponsored Psychotechnic Institute:
educates psychotechnicians;
conducts research;
dispenses advice;
publishes its findings and theories;
hides its real nature and purpose;
does not break the law;
however, has large secret aims that transcend the law.
Bancroft's group has kidnapped Michael Tighe of the Institute to learn more. One of Bancroft's colleagues realizes that public awareness of manipulation might make manipulation impossible. This remark assumes that the Institute is manipulating the public, of course.
It also recalls the principles of Isaac Asimov's psychohistory. Seldon's Plan will continue to direct the course of history only as long as the population remains unaware of the details of the Plan. To me, this makes the Plan unacceptable. Populations need to learn to make their own history, consciously and deliberately.
Asimov's Machines, giant robotic brains directing the world economy for the greatest human good, agreed with me. They phased themselves out because they judged that self-determination was the greatest human good.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
Then Bancroft and his colleagues should have eschewed any illegalities and focused on proving the Psychotechnic Institute was trying to manipulate global society. If successful, that would have been enough to wreck the Institute.
Ad astra! Sean
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