The next stage in the paradigm of dystopian psychology is to create an
atmosphere conducive to the state's new psychology. All three texts use technology,
albeit differently, to create the appropriate climate for their needs. Thomas W. Cooper
references Nietzche's "perspectivism" in his article, "Fictional 1984 and Factual
1984." Perspectivism is as an approach to culture that essentially determines how a
group may gain power through controlling the perspective of its constituents (91 ).
Governments in dystopias are widely guilty of perspectivism. They use a variety of
techniques, namely psychological conditioning as we have seen, to institutionalize
what the universally "correct" perspective is for their society. In these texts,
perspective is governed by the use and manipulation of technology. While 1984 uses
technology in frightening proportions, and Brave New World mocks the over-
extended influence of technology, Walden Two eliminates technology altogether and
reverts to manpower. What all three have in common, however, is the creation of
diversions so that the people are consistently focused on other aspects of society such
as the invasion of surveillance, entertainment, or personal goals. The degree to which
the people are distracted by the increase or decrease in technology, effectually
changes their values and culture. The objective, of course, is that the people share the
same perspective as the state. By shifting their focus either towards or away from
technology, the state can then distract the people from the real issues at stake.
