I have no concern about progress continuing to be General Electric's most important product, but I much fear that California may not make the same claim, for here I see straws in the wind that are no entirely to my liking. In those instances where progress can only occur with governmental permission, the foes of change are fast perfecting a technique that is proving very effective. It rests on recognition of these facts. First, the active proponents of a change at the outset are very few in number and often hope to benefit by the change. Second, any change is almost certain to cause detriment to some, and among those whose ox is gored is found the hard core of the opposition. Here is the noisy minority, militant and ready to fight. Third, the vast majority of the people are largely indifferent, but it is easier to arouse them in opposition than it is in support of causes. They fear what they don't understand, and few will take the trouble to understand a complicated issue. Let's face it, all too many are readers of headlines and go no farther than news broadcasts for their facts. Fourth, there are broad segments of the public that have a special degree of dedication to certain interests and that can be easily aroused if they feel these, interests are endangered and particularly so when they have no economic stake involved. All that needs to be done is to rally enough of these to the cause and there is born an effective opposition that will cause the public official to become blind to the facts because all they can see are lost votes. -2-