Thursday 5 October 2017

Illegal Public Displays of Emotion (1970s Public Information)


In Scarfolk, public displays of emotion were governed by draconian laws. Negative or even ambiguous feelings (such as curiosity and hesitation) were deemed seditious and on-the-spot fines and punishments were often meted out by police (and by the Council Christmas Boy during the season of good will).

Distress (see poster above), a broad term which included "psychological breakdown", "suffering personal injury or attack" and "tutting in a queue at the post office", was considered to be a criticism of the state and therefore treasonous.

The only emotional expression truly free of censure was, according to government guidelines, "an abiding, unmistakable demonstration of pride in Our Joyous State (even if that demonstration requires the forfeiture of one's pride - and/or physical body - for the sake of Our Joyous State)". By 1979, feelings such as scepticism and doubt had been declared acts of terrorism.

These laws permitted police to cast a wide net in their investigations and arrests. Even if citizens did manage to pass the stringent, invasive contentment examinations they were still eligible for arrest if their pets exhibited negative emotions. Records show that many people were detained because of their sulky dogs and there was even one case of an arrest due to a livid tortoise.

See also The Anti-Weeping Campaign, which was aimed at children.

8 comments:

  1. The tortoise was violent it ate lettuce in an aggressive manner it deserved it's heavy fines.It was eventually evicted from its shell to make way for council surveillance.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ah, I see Scarfolk's started taking after Wellington Wells.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I would like to leave a pithy comment but I'm afraid that if I do I may be found guilty of an illegal display or emotion.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your uncertainty is damning

    ReplyDelete
  5. Not dissimilar to the new 'positive thinking will make Brexit a success' mantra. The unpatriotic Remoaners will spoil glorious Brexit with their overthought educated doubts,

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sounds like 1984.
    I'd kick-some-ass.
    Live free... or die.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Might be time for some 'Unpatiotic minced meat' pie!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Gullibility is a sure sign of a criminal!But NOT a fact,cause those are ILLEGAL!But I still remain uncertain,,Maybe..

    ReplyDelete