Censorship no longer works by hiding information from you; censorship works by flooding you with immense amounts of misinformation, of irrelevant information, of funny cat videos, until you're just unable to focus.

In this quote, Yuval Noah Harari explores the modern concept of censorship in the digital age. He suggests that traditional forms of censorship, which involved hiding information, have evolved into more subtle methods, such as flooding individuals with misinformation and irrelevant content. Harari argues that this overwhelming barrage of distractions, such as funny cat videos and trivial online content, makes it increasingly difficult for people to focus on what truly matters or to distinguish between fact and fiction. The quote highlights the idea that the modern world is full of noise that distracts people from engaging with important or accurate information.

Harari’s comment also touches on the idea that in today's society, information overload is a powerful tool for controlling thought and behavior. Rather than controlling what information people have access to, the system now bombards them with so much irrelevant content that it becomes nearly impossible to focus on what is truly significant. This reflects the challenges posed by the internet and social media, where the sheer volume of content can create a sense of confusion or numbness that dulls critical thinking.

The origin of this quote comes from Yuval Noah Harari, a historian and author of the bestselling book Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind. Harari is known for his insightful analyses of human history and the impact of modern technology on society. This quote is consistent with his broader views on how technological advancements, particularly in the digital age, are reshaping society in ways that might not always be immediately obvious. Harari often discusses the dangers of information manipulation and how it can influence public opinion and individual behavior.

Through this statement, Harari encourages people to be more mindful of the information they consume and the ways in which it can be used to distract or control them. The quote serves as a warning about the subtle forms of manipulation that exist today, where it's not just about limiting access to information, but about controlling the flow of it in such a way that people lose their ability to focus or discern the truth.