The History of Censorship: How Information Shapes Power

Welcome to IntelligentPod, the show where we unravel the complexities of the modern world, one fascinating topic at a time. I’m your host, Sophie Lane, and today we're diving deep into a subject that’s as old as civilization itself and as relevant as your latest news feed: the history of information control and censorship. Now, censorship and the control of information might sound like concepts reserved for shadowy governments or dystopian novels, but the truth is, these forces have shaped human society for thousands of years. From ancient empires to today’s digital age, who gets to say what and how it’s said has always been a source of power, conflict, and—let’s be honest—endless controversy. So whether you’re a history buff, a freedom-of-speech advocate, or just someone who likes understanding the hidden forces that shape our world, this episode is for you. We’ll look at the evolution of censorship, why it happens, how it’s justified, and how people—ordinary and extraordinary—have pushed back through the ages. Let’s kick things off by defining our terms a little. What exactly do we mean by “information control” and “censorship”? At its core, information control is any effort to shape, restrict, or guide the content that people can access, share, or discuss. Censorship is a subset of that: it’s the deliberate suppression or prohibition of speech, writing, or other information that’s considered objectionable, harmful, or inconvenient by authorities. And yes, while we often think of censorship as a tool wielded by governments, it can be enforced by religious institutions, corporations, social groups, or even self-censorship, when individuals filter their own words out of fear or social pressure. Let’s put this into context with a relatable modern example. Think about social media platforms today. Algorithms decide what appears on your feed, some posts get flagged or removed, and certain topics trend while others are quietly buried. That’s information control in action, right there in your pocket. But this isn’t a purely modern phenomenon—it’s the latest chapter in a very long story. Let’s rewind. The urge to control information goes back as far as written language itself. Ancient rulers realized quickly that the pen—or, more accurately, the chisel—could be mightier than the sword. Take the ancient Egyptians, for instance. Pharaohs would commission grand monuments and inscriptions that told only the most flattering versions of their reigns. When a new pharaoh came to power, it was common practice to literally erase the names of previous rulers from monuments—chiseling them out of history. This wasn’t just vandalism—it was a deliberate attempt to control collective memory. Fast forward to ancient China during the Qin Dynasty, around 213 BCE. Emperor Qin Shi Huang is famous for uniting China, but he’s also well-known for one of the earliest recorded acts of mass censorship: the infamous burning of books and burying of scholars. Only texts that aligned with the emperor’s philosophy were allowed to survive. The goal? To eliminate dissent and unify thought under a single, controllable narrative. And it wasn’t just in the East. In the West, the Catholic Church maintained the “Index Librorum Prohibitorum”—or List of Prohibited Books—for over 400 years, banning texts that contradicted church doctrine. Galileo Galilei, the father of modern science, found himself censored for suggesting that the Earth wasn’t the center of the universe. By the time we hit the invention of the printing press in the 15th century, the stakes for information control skyrocketed. Suddenly, ideas could spread faster and further than ever before. The printing press was revolutionary, but it also terrified those in power. Governments and religious institutions scrambled to license printers, ban books, and punish those who published unauthorized material. Let’s pause for a moment and consider a key difference between past and present. In earlier times, controlling information was largely about restricting physical access—burning books, silencing speakers, or destroying monuments. Today, in our digital age, information can be copied, shared, and disseminated globally in seconds. But the desire to control it hasn’t gone away; it’s just evolved. Now, let’s look at this topic from a few different perspectives. First, the psychological angle. Why do individuals and groups feel compelled to control information? Well, according to psychologist Daniel Wegner, who studied the phenomenon of “thought suppression,” the more we try to ban or suppress certain ideas, the more we paradoxically draw attention to them. This is called the “ironic process theory”—it’s the classic “don’t think about pink elephants” problem. Censorship can sometimes backfire, making forbidden ideas even more attractive. On the scientific side, a fascinating study from the University of Amsterdam in 2011 found that people exposed to censored information are more likely to trust and seek out that information, perceiving it as more credible simply because it’s forbidden. This is sometimes called the “Streisand Effect,” named after Barbra Streisand, who tried to suppress photos of her home but ended up making them go viral instead. Then there’s the cultural perspective. What counts as censorship varies dramatically around the world and across eras. In some societies, restrictions on speech are seen as necessary for social harmony, national security, or protection from harmful ideas. In others, freedom of expression is enshrined as a fundamental right. Let’s bring this to life with a real-world anecdote. In 1989, the world watched as student protests erupted in Tiananmen Square, Beijing. The Chinese government responded with military force, and to this day, references to the event are heavily censored in China. Images, online searches, and even code words about the protests are routinely scrubbed from the internet. Yet, every year, activists find creative ways to commemorate the event, using memes, artwork, and coded language to keep the memory alive. It’s a vivid example of how people adapt and resist, even in the face of formidable information controls. But censorship isn’t always imposed from above. Sometimes, it’s self-imposed. Think about the so-called “spiral of silence” theory, developed by German political scientist Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann. She found that individuals are less likely to express views they believe are in the minority, out of fear of isolation or social backlash. In the age of social media, this self-censorship can be even more pronounced. So, what does all of this mean for us today? Well, the digital revolution has democratized information, but it’s also created new ways to control it. Algorithms, content moderation, shadow banning—these are the new frontiers of information control. And the lines between protecting communities from harm and suppressing dissent have never been blurrier. If you’re wondering what you can do about all this, here are some actionable takeaways: First, cultivate information literacy. Learn how to evaluate sources, check for bias, and spot manipulated content. Don’t accept information at face value—dig a little deeper. Second, be aware of your own blind spots and biases. We all have them. Challenge yourself to seek out diverse perspectives, even—especially—if they make you uncomfortable. Third, support transparency and open dialogue wherever possible. Whether it’s in your workplace, your community, or online, advocate for rules and systems that are clear, fair, and open to challenge. Fourth, use technology thoughtfully. Remember that algorithms are designed to maximize engagement, not necessarily to inform or enlighten you. Curate your feeds, question your sources, and take breaks from the firehose of information when you need to. And finally, don’t underestimate the power of small acts of resistance. Even in the most controlled environments, people find ways to share, remember, and imagine freely. History is full of stories—big and small—of people who chipped away at the walls of censorship, one idea at a time. So, to recap: the control of information is as much a part of our human story as the desire to share it. From ancient stone carvings to digital memes, the battle over who gets to say what—and who gets to hear it—has shaped societies, toppled empires, and sparked revolutions. Understanding the history of censorship isn’t just about looking backward; it’s about being better equipped to navigate the challenges of our own times. Here’s a closing thought for you: Censorship thrives in the shadows, but history shows us that the human drive to seek, share, and question is incredibly resilient. In the end, the story of information control is also the story of human ingenuity and the irrepressible desire for truth. Thank you for joining me on this journey through the history of information control and censorship. If you enjoyed today’s episode, I’d love for you to leave a review—it helps more curious minds find the show. For full show notes, links to studies, and more resources, head to intelligentpod.com. And if you have thoughts, feedback, or stories of your own about censorship, I’d genuinely love to hear from you. Drop me an email at sophie@intelligentpod.com. I’m Sophie Lane, and this is IntelligentPod—where curiosity is always uncensored. Until next time, stay thoughtful, stay informed, and keep questioning.