For an entire populace, change, growth, and spontaneity were dangerous. Acting upon a personal desire, whispering a hidden longing, revealing your true feelings - all the human actions we think of as essential to a character - had be censored by the self lest they be punished by the state.
“I just did an interview where I was asked whether I drink beer or whisky, and I was sad to reveal that I'm pounding spring water.”
“That's my opportunity to hide behind that old lady and say what I want to say.”