Prominent British documentary filmmaker Adam Curtis is renowned for his provocative films that combine historical occurrences with perceptive political and social commentary. In one of his articles, he talks about how politicians are utilizing behaviorism—a branch of psychology that emphasizes outward behaviors over inward mental states—to revive outdated concepts and apply them to contemporary technology.

Consider a chef who uses a microwave rather than a conventional stove to prepare the ideal soup according to an old recipe. This is similar to what Curtis explains: politicians are using sophisticated machines, particularly computers, to apply ideas from outdated behaviorist theories. Behaviorism, which rose to prominence in the early 20th century, proposed that manipulating people's surroundings could influence their behavior. Digital technologies are now giving this concept new life.

Curtis contends that the resurgence of behaviorist thought is both a practical and an intellectual endeavor made possible by advances in technology. Stated differently, behaviorist principles are being echoed by politicians who use computers to monitor and influence large crowds of people. In the same way that behaviorists thought that human behavior could be predicted and controlled by outside stimuli, contemporary politicians are using advanced data analytics and algorithms to gauge and influence public opinion.

Concerns regarding freedom, privacy, and the nature of political power in the current digital era are brought up by this interaction between antiquated psychological theories and cutting-edge technology. Curtis's observation serves as a reminder that when paired with modern instruments and techniques, historical concepts can have surprising effects.