Every method of the media was controlled by the P.I.S., the Public Information Service. Television, radio and newspapers all contained only the news that the the P.I.S. thought patriotic and not damaging to the Reich. As a result people were brainwashed, their minds numb, submissive. Rebellions had been crushed to dust within days of their begginning, if they had been lucky enough to start. History before the Third Reich had become vague as documents had been destroyed or no public access was available.
The internet had become a new method for the "One Party" to spread their beliefs. Although Russia and the U.S. had recently been allowed to join the internet, during a short relaxation of arms for ten years, there was quite obviously a barrier, a perfect replica of the one along the border between the U.S.S.R and the United European and African States. The Americas and Russia had their own network which was supposed to be slower and more primitive than the exalted German-invented one. There was little contact between the two sides as nobody from the allied side was allowed past that virtual wall.
Here was were I met Bluebird for the first time. I was looking at the products in the virtual clothes shop, most of which bore the schwatztica or the ever-popular motif of Adolf Hitler's face, the founder of our society. I was standing looking around when a small bluebird landed on my shoulder. This was abnormal as the simulation of a shop normally did not contain simulated fauna. More to my surprise was the fact that the bluebird started to whisper in my ear. I realised that it was a sim, a real person's representation in the virtual reality space of the net.