This blog is a bit more edgy than some in the past, but some times certain ideas have to be articulated and put on record regardless.  This is one of those times.

During the decline of the Roman empire the strategy used to contain the populus and win their political support was to ensure that they had food and to keep them entertained.  The politicians at that time entertained the masses with gladiator fights and circus shows at the coliseum and gave them free bread to keep their bellies full.  Because of that, this practice became known as bread and circus and it has been an effective means of gaining political support and maintaining order and control.

Today, over 1500 years later, bread and circus remains the dominant strategy for political power as it did during the Roman Empire.  Only now, the circus is light years more sophisticated than it was back then.  The circus now is more than sporting events and shows.  It includes all of television programming, popular internet sites, radio, movies, news, video games, and every little electronic gadget one can imagine.  We are inundated with entertainment and swimming in the high seas of distraction.  In fact, the news itself has become largely entertainment and sensational creative story telling, morphing itself in order for it to compete for the attention of viewers. 

But ironically, after having just watched Oprah Winfrey’s second to last show (LOL), I have to echo a comment I heard mentioned by Dr. Phil and ask the question,  “How’s that working for you?”

Well after living with years of bread and circus, ask yourself, “What happened to the people of ancient Rome? How did it work for them?”

Um, well, as you likely know, it didn’t work out too well.

“Why?” You may wonder.  For many reasons, but allow me to focus on one. 

Ultimately, there are consequences for being constantly entertained and distracted.  A mind that is perpetually titillated with sensational bits of information, folly, and entertainment will eventually reflect what it is feed. 

It will become feeble, lightweight, and incapable of critical thinking.  The consequence of having a large populace whose minds are in that condition is an electorate without the power to properly self govern.  Being incapable of true critical thinking, the populace will eventually become slavishly dependent on government and big institutions to define reality, make decisions for them, and lead them.

However, the United States in particular, is a nation that was designed for self determination and sovereignty among its citizens and for self government.  The very opposite of dependency on big corporations, big media, and an all powerful government.  However, the US system of government presupposes a citizenry that is enlightened on history, issues, truth, and on it’s own self interest such that they can participate and shape the agenda and future of the nation.  This is where we have fallen short. 

Unlike the early citizens of The United States who were very astute and rather economically independent, the current US citizenry, is in large part an unelightened mass, generally distracted, financially dependent, and easily mislead through creative story telling.  And under these circumstances, the US populace, as in the case of many people before them, are prime candidates for falling back under the rule of some form of gentle or soft tyranny.  

Only being so distracted, with bellies full from a hearty meal and drink, hardly anyone might notice or even care about what was happening because after all they had their Bread and Circus. 

My advice to all, smarten up, build some independence, and focus on making bread.  The circus will always be there for you, trust me.