most people's perception is filtered. it isn't censored by someone else; they filter it themselves. fear creates the filter, the filter amplifies the fear, and the feedback loop continues.

it's a fog. comfortable and familiar. you can't see far, but at least nothing unexpected jumps out at you. most of social reality is an agreement to stay in the fog together. when someone steps out and reports what they see, the fog-dwellers call them crazy. if the person outside is right, it means the fog is optional—and that's terrifying.

this is why surveillance works. the camera isn't the point; it's just the latest excuse. the fog was always there. people wanted to not-see long before anyone built a system to help them. the system just formalized the preference.

every technology that promises safety actually promises a denser fog. every single time.