Alexander's Share: HyperNormalisation - Adam Curtis
- Jun 15
- 1 min read
From Alexander: Released in 2016, Adam Curtis’ BBC documentary HyperNormalisation argues that modern societies have become trapped in simplified, artificial versions of reality. Curtis contends that since the 1970s, political leaders, corporations, and media institutions have struggled to manage an increasingly complex world and instead of addressing this complexity, they have created reassuring narratives that make events appear more understandable and controllable. The documentary connects diverse topics—including Middle Eastern politics, terrorism, global finance, public relations, and the rise of digital technology—to show how power has shifted away from democratic politics toward hidden networks of economic and technological influence. Curtis suggests that politicians increasingly abandoned ambitious visions for society, becoming managers of systems they no longer fully controlled. The title derives from a term used in the late Soviet Union, where people accepted an obviously flawed version of reality because no credible alternative existed. Curtis argues that a similar condition now exists in the West, where constructed narratives often obscure the complexities of contemporary political and social life.
I like the way that it challenges the currently offered narrative for the geopolitical stage. Whilst some of the assertions are not verifiable, they are believable enough to make you at least question things.
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