I have a suspicion that the politicians' revival of the old behaviourist ideas and techniques will be helped and reinforced by a powerful ally - the machines we have built. The computers.

The quote "I have a suspicion that the politicians' revival of the old behaviourist ideas and techniques will be helped and reinforced by a powerful ally - the machines we have built. The computers." by Adam Curtis reflects his concerns about the intersection of politics, behavioral psychology, and technology. Curtis, a documentary filmmaker known for exploring the impact of power, media, and society, is warning that the revival of behaviourism—a psychological theory focused on conditioning human behavior—could be enhanced by the rise of computers and technology. He suggests that politicians could use modern computing power and data analysis to manipulate and control public behavior in more sophisticated ways.

Curtis is implying that computers, with their ability to store vast amounts of data and perform complex analyses, can be used as tools for political manipulation. The reference to behaviourism connects to the idea that political leaders might adopt psychological techniques, such as conditioning and influencing behavior, in order to shape public opinion or social outcomes. He sees technology—particularly computers—as an increasingly powerful ally in reinforcing these methods, potentially leading to a more controlled and manipulated society.

The origin of this quote can be traced to Curtis's broader exploration of how technology influences society and politics. In his documentaries, Curtis often examines how governments, corporations, and media use psychological manipulation and data to control populations. His work reflects his concern that computers and advanced technology could be used not only for surveillance but also for shaping individual and collective behavior on a large scale.

Ultimately, Curtis's quote is a cautionary statement about the potential dangers of merging political power with technological tools. It suggests that as we build more powerful machines and computers, there is a risk that they could be used to further manipulate and condition human behavior, especially in the realm of politics. The quote underscores his concern about the increasing reliance on technology to influence and control not just data but the very actions and decisions of individuals within society.