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Society's Stinky Parts's avatar

People who live in a totalitarian order are "happier" when they play along, sure. But that's just a game that doesn't need to exist. It's better to destroy totalitarian orders of society than to accommodate them, unless you're part of the class that leeches off of other people's labor under some theory of entitlement that is exactly as insipid as any other.

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ChazLB's avatar

The illusion of happy in totalitarianism is only a facade. This is why drinking and drugs are so popular..it medicates the mind to the "truth" or lie one can tell themselves that you are free to move about the gilded cage.. As long as you can afford it. Stock in lockheed anyone?

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Society's Stinky Parts's avatar

Forced cheer is an institution in the commercial West. I don't doubt many of Seligman's subjects are faking it 'til they make it. It's a, if not *the*, credo of the professional-managerial class, who never met a symbol they didn't like to manipulate.

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