Earlier this year in February, I read an article titled "The Super Bowl and the Roman Coliseum: Spectacles of Distraction in Times of Crisis" by Jason M. The title clearly conveys the author's argument.
During the fall of the Roman empire, the gladiatorial and other shows running in the Coliseum were used for the same purpose.
I think that we are living now in a planet-sized 'Coliseum'. The least one could have is an endless barrage of spectacles on our digital devices of many appearances and designs to make it convenient for us to enjoy it anywhere, anytime.
Tik-Tok. Youtube. Netflix. Instagram. Premier League Football. Formula 1. And yes. Taylor Swift.
The whole planet has been handcuffed into reacting to the current genocide that is happening in Palestine. The Muslims boast about having the highest population of 1.8 billion worldwide. But none, even the nearest and the wealthiest Saudi Arabia is doing anything to stop it except the usual lip service. They are currently hosting the Formula 1 race this weekend.
Ah, the Arabs. Reminded me of the Sultan in the film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade who took the Rolls Royce as a 'gift' from the Germans for camels and horses assist to in the location of the Holy Grail. Oh, and how P. Ramlee had satirized them throughout his classic comedy masterpieces.
This kind of control does not happen in one day. It has been subtly and gradually embedded into our modern culture. Before the age of the Internet, we do not share data about ourselves and family. But now we voluntarily do so. Before the age of the Internet, taking own photos was deemed to be a narcissistic act but now it has been normalized even by posting it for others to see.
Just look at the daily telecast of the Malaysian Parliament session where those of the same race and religion have been parted into two by the system brought in by the colonizers, which they agree to adopt to earn the title 'independent', bickering in a feud about petty issues. All whilst the Palestinians are being massacred in broad daylight.
(to be continued in pt. 2)