Engineered Ignorance Exposed: A Sinister Plot Leaves Citizens Clueless by Design, Keeping Society Under Tight Control

The United States is facing a crisis that few are willing to acknowledge openly: a civic collapse so profound that millions of citizens no longer understand how their government works, who holds power, or how decisions are made. At the same time, a parallel battle is unfolding in the digital sphere, where Black entrepreneurs are demanding equity in platforms that shape culture and conversation.

Together, these two stories—one about the erosion of civic knowledge, the other about the fight for ownership in social media—paint a shocking picture of where America stands in 2025.

The Civic Blind Spot

Walk into any community meeting, and you’ll hear the same refrain: people don’t know the difference between city hall, the school district, county government, state government, and federal government. They don’t understand the role politicians play in public policy, or how limited their powers are compared to corporations.

This ignorance is not accidental. For decades, civic education has been neglected. Schools offer minimal instruction, often reduced to a single semester of government. Adults rarely revisit the subject. And when elections roll around, campaigns rely on slogans and anger rather than substance.

The result? A population that struggles to connect everyday struggles—like the rising cost of eggs—to the policies that shape them.

The Dumbing Down of America

Observers argue that political movements have exploited this ignorance. Anger and slogans dominate. Citizens are told who to hate, but not why problems exist or how to solve them.

This “dumbing down” has created fertile ground for misinformation. Without civic literacy, people cannot distinguish between real policy debates and manipulative rhetoric.

The consequences are everywhere:

Voter apathy, with millions refusing to participate because they “don’t believe politics works.”
Communities blindsided by policy changes they never saw coming.
A widening gap between those who understand the system and those who are left behind.

The Call for Education

Some leaders are sounding the alarm. They argue that civic education must become a year-round effort, not a crash course offered weeks before an election.

Weekly civic lessons, town halls, and community discussions could help citizens understand how government functions, why issues matter, and how to influence policy.

The vision is ambitious: libraries hosting civic classes, churches discussing policy at dinner tables, organizations training members to educate others. The goal is to rebuild a culture where conversations about government are normal, not taboo.

Breaking Through Struggle

But there is a barrier: everyday life. Millions of Americans are working overtime, juggling daycare costs, rent, car notes, and medical bills. For them, politics feels distant.

That’s why advocates argue that civic education must meet people where they are—on social media, YouTube, and mobile apps. Town halls streamed online, short videos explaining bills, and interactive platforms could bring knowledge directly into people’s hands.

The challenge is immense. But without it, apathy will deepen, and democracy itself will weaken.

A Bill in Texas: A Case Study

One lawmaker in Texas passed a local civics bill requiring schools to teach what each governmental body does. It was a step forward, but politics quickly intervened. With Republicans controlling the curriculum, questions remain about what will actually be taught.

The episode illustrates the fragility of civic education. Even when reforms are passed, partisan battles can distort their implementation.

The Role of Organizations

Advocates stress that the responsibility cannot fall solely on politicians or parties. Civic education must be driven by communities, organizations, and independent voices.

When organizations educate their members, they create ripple effects. Members can then teach others, spreading knowledge beyond formal institutions.

This decentralized approach could bypass partisan gridlock and rebuild civic literacy from the ground up.
       

The Digital Parallel: Ownership in Social Media

While America grapples with civic ignorance, another battle is unfolding in the digital world. Isaac Hayes III, founder and CEO of Fanbase, has issued a stark warning: if Black communities do not own the platforms where their voices live, they will remain customers of their own culture.

Fanbase, a social media app combining the functionality of Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, has grown to over 1.4 million users. Its mission is clear: equity and ownership for creators.

Hayes argues that this is a turning point. For decades, Black culture has driven global trends in music, fashion, and entertainment. Yet the platforms profiting from that culture are rarely owned by Black entrepreneurs.

The Investment Appeal

Fanbase is offering shares to the public, with a minimum investment of $399 for 60 shares. Hayes frames it as more than a financial opportunity—it is a chance to reshape the future of social media.

“If we don’t take this opportunity to own social media right now, we will always be customers to our own creations,” Hayes said.

The message is shocking in its bluntness: without ownership, communities will remain exploited, their culture monetized by others.

The Intersection of Civics and Tech

At first glance, civic education and social media ownership may seem unrelated. But they share a common thread: empowerment.

Civic literacy empowers citizens to influence government. Digital ownership empowers communities to control the platforms that shape culture.

Both are about reclaiming agency in systems that have historically marginalized voices.

The Shocking Truth

The shocking truth is that America is at risk of losing both battles. Without civic education, democracy weakens. Without digital ownership, culture is commodified.

Together, these failures could leave communities powerless—unable to influence policy, unable to control platforms, and unable to shape their own futures.

The Path Forward

Experts argue that the solution lies in collective action:

Civic Education: Weekly classes, online town halls, and community discussions must become routine.
Digital Ownership: Communities must invest in platforms like Fanbase to ensure equity in the digital age.
Cultural Shift: Conversations about government and ownership must become normal, not exceptional.

The stakes are high. If citizens remain uninformed and communities remain customers, the cycle of exploitation will continue.

Conclusion: A Turning Point

America stands at a turning point. The civic crisis threatens democracy. The digital ownership battle threatens culture.

Both demand urgent action. Citizens must educate themselves and each other. Communities must invest in platforms that reflect their values.

The message is clear: without knowledge and ownership, America risks becoming a nation of powerless consumers, disconnected from both government and culture.

The time to act is now.