The Gulag Archipelago 1918–1956 (Abridged)

These notes are old and were written while reading — they don’t necessarily reflect my current views.

Arrest: The arrest is unpredictable, can occur any time at any place. Quotas of arrests had to be fulfilled. They tried to make the arrests as quiet as possible, so that no one really knows how many people are arrested. Most of that was done by psychological pressure.

Stalin was highly paranoid, he was sure that in every part of russia, he had enemies and demanded their cleansing; but not only of enemies but also potential enemies. Everyone that could have the ability, intellect or strength to form any kind of resistance. This meant the killing of the most competent men and the executives of his own party.

Ideology had unlimited seniority in every decision. Every part of human dignity could be taken for the cause, for the greater good. Trials and confessions were just a formality to keep the rest of the population quiet. If one ought to be killed, one was dead soon after. When only power matters and there is no higher authority, then everything can be done in the name of power. Utilitarianism can be perverted by changing the utility function.

The line between good and evil cuts through everyones hearts, and who wants to destroy a part of their heart?

When pressured enough, everyone might have become a prosecutor.