Excited society

In the contemporary scene, Israel appears as a stage where old terrors mingle with new technologies, creating a continuous spectacle of fear and control. Under Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government, social media have transformed into sophisticated tools of manipulation, used to keep the population in a constant state of alertness and submission.

The logic governing this political strategy is one of compulsive repetition of shocks, a tactic of domination that appeals to collective dread. Social media are flooded with images of conflict, messages of threat, and narratives of enemies always lurking, reinforcing a perpetual state of tension. Each post and tweet functions as a modern rite, a way to confront and control fear, keeping society in a continuous loop of excitement and vigilance.

Since ancient times, memory has played a crucial role in how societies face and appease the horrors of the unknown. It is both a refuge and a weapon, a psychological shield that protects against the vastness of the unknowable. At the heart of this dynamic, we find rituals, narratives, and symbols that shape collective and individual identity, offering a sense of continuity and control amid chaos.

In Israel, this function of memory manifests especially intensely. The country’s history is marked by a series of traumatic and transformative events—wars, forced migrations, and a constant state of alert in the face of internal and external threats. This historical trajectory forges a collective memory that structures society and national identity. The recollection of past horrors, sufferings, and struggles is continually invoked, not just as a reminder of what was but as a shield against what may come.

This memory is often ritualized. National ceremonies, days of remembrance, and historical narratives are carefully cultivated to keep the consciousness of the past alive. These rituals are not merely passive ceremonies but acts of reaffirmation of identity and social cohesion. By remembering past traumas, Israeli society reinforces a sense of unity and resilience, essential for facing the present and future uncertainties.

Netanyahu’s government has shown itself adept at manipulating this collective memory, using it as a powerful political tool. The narrative of constant fear and threat is perpetuated through social media and other communication channels. Each post, each image of conflict, and each mention of external enemies serves to rekindle the memory of past horrors, linking them to current realities. This creates a cycle of anxiety and vigilance, where past and present intertwine in a spiral of fear and control.

By exploiting this dynamic, the government reinforces its power and diverts attention from more pressing issues. In this context, memory becomes a means of distraction and manipulation, keeping the population focused on a constant state of alert and mobilization. The fear of the unknown is thus domesticated and transformed into an instrument of domination, where the promise of security is continually offered as a balm for collective anxiety.

It’s no coincidence that the word that defines a drug addict also defines a TikToker: user. Social media create an addiction to sensations, a dependence on constant stimuli that divert attention from concrete reality. This manipulation of memory has its limits and dangers. By perpetuating a continual state of excitement and fear, society risks becoming paralyzed, unable to advance or break free from oppressive narratives of the past. True liberation can only be achieved when society transcends these traumatic memories and faces the unknown with a new perspective.

Modern society is addicted to stimuli, an “excited society”—a term coined by Christoph Türcke, in “Excited Society: Philosophy of Sensation.” C.H. Beck published it. Türcke explores how we drift from sobriety to plunge into distraction. Contemporary technological forms, with their spectacular images and incessant shocks, are modern opiates that distance us from our concrete reality. High-tech mechanisms are not merely technological advances but reactivated archaic rituals intended to appease our deepest fears.

Reflecting on Netanyahu’s government’s use of social media, a clear pattern of manipulation emerges. Technology creates an illusion of security, while in reality, it perpetuates a constant state of fear and excitement. Each post attempts to control the narrative and keep the population in a state of continuous vigilance, incapable of questioning or challenging the status quo.

The actual threat is not just the content of the messages but also the very mechanism of distraction and control these platforms represent. The promise of security and stability is a mirage meant to keep society submissive and anxious. A collective awakening is needed to break this vicious cycle, to confront reality instead of fleeing from it.

Ultimately, the Israeli government’s manipulation of social media reflects a broader trend. In an increasingly connected world, the fight for narrative control becomes crucial. By recognizing and resisting these manipulations, we can begin to build a truly free and conscious society.