Picture of the future

This piece was featured as the front cover of MaximumRockNRoll in April, 1984. One of the most striking parts of George Orwell’s novel “1984” was a remark the central figure in the story is told by his nemesis, “If You Want a Picture of the Future Imagine a Boot Stamping on a Human Face Forever.” 

( —Have a nice day!)

In many places ‘round the world (including in America) this — or something closely resembling it is the standard operating procedure.

This is the hope despotic authoritarians have for a future under their reign of terror. All we need do to help them is to remain silent.  To quote Leonardo Da Vinci, “Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.”