CRIES OF LONDON - 2026
A modern “Cries of London” imagines false flags sold like street-market goods - complete with mysterious explosions, cyberattacks, border provocations and a ready-made media package. A satire on fear, propaganda and manufactured consent.
THE WAR PREPARATION PACKAGE!
“FLAGS! FALSE FLAGS! ALL PIPING HOT! LOVELY FRESH WAR SCARES!”
Roll up! Roll up! Prime Ministers! Presidents! Generals! European grandees and ladies and gentlemen of Davos and considerable importance!
Having trouble selling your next war?
Got a villain who refuses to perform on schedule?
Got a public stubbornly reluctant to sacrifice its sons, daughters and savings?
THEN TRY MY COMPLETE WAR PREPARATION PACKAGE!
Finest quality political alarm! Freshly baked emergencies! Imminent catastrophes! Convenient villains!
ANY VILLAIN WILL DO - GUILT GUARANTEED!
And every package comes complete with solemn speeches, frank talks about war, frightening headlines and a television expert to explain why the whole dreadful business is absolutely necessary!
A little alarm today! A little more tomorrow!
Before you can shout “MUFFINS! HOT FRESH MUFFINS!”, yesterday's unthinkable war becomes tomorrow's patriotic duty!
WAR! WAR! LOVELY HOT WAR!
The politicians make the speeches!
The generals draw their maps!
The newspapers beat their drums!
THE ORDINARY FELLOW PAYS THE BILL - WITH HIS TAXES, HIS LIBERTIES AND HIS CHILDREN!
And if the whole enterprise goes horribly wrong?
Never fear, ladies and gentlemen! Our deluxe package includes an official inquiry, a magnificent excuse and a comfortable retirement for those responsible!
“FLAGS! FALSE FLAGS! ALL PIPING HOT WARS! BUY ONE CRISIS - GET A NATIONAL SACRIFICE FREE!”
A fictional Victorian-style political satire about fear, propaganda and the selling of war.
