If the existence of "The Machine" was made known, there would simply be a giant media coverup and people would go back to their superbowl or what the fuck ever.
The PRISM thing is just so depressing because not only does it seem that the state is far more encroached than expected, but also that the population are so satiated with bullshit that it feels totally and utterly hopeless to change things for the better. How is there any hope for sorting things out when people are so utterly and vastly entrenched in their ignorance?
The government has too much power. Far, far far too much. How can we be free when a slip of the tongue on twitter or a stupid joke or wearing a mask or standing up for what we believe in is enough to trigger a knock at the door or being thrown in jail or community service? I expect there'll be a point where we can't even say shit like this. How far does it have to creep?
I think the thing is, PRISM makes me just feel...violated