The Olympics: An Exemplar of the Decline of Our Society

"... Already long ago, from when we sold our vote to no man, the People have abdicated our duties; for the People who once upon a time handed out military command, high civil office, legions — everything, now restrains itself and anxiously hopes for just two things: bread and circuses."

As of this writing, the Olympics are in full swing and I find myself in work meetings where the inevitable small talk turns to who is winning what and what event is the favorite. More often than not I am alone in my complete disinterest in the entire endeavor. My stance against the Olympics, aside from the economic arguments is more related to opportunity costs. The world we live in is distracted enough as it is and I'd rather spend my time and mental energy with fruitful pursuits. I can't imagine we are better for the constant noise, and the magic rectangles attached to our hips anyway. It isn't that I believe that technology will be the eventual downfall of our society. No, I am not a techno-doomsayer. It's the confluence of many other seemingly banal things that will be our demise. The connectedness, constant distraction, and rapid-fire 24-hour news cycle, paired with the degradation of the education system and family have been the greatest destructive force in the modern age. We have allowed it all out of apathy, laziness, or shear stupidity.

"... Already long ago, from when we sold our vote to no man, the People have abdicated our duties ..."

Here the poet describes a time when the significance of our participation was understood by everyone, or at least a large enough slice of society to ensure cohesion and stability. We have a duty to participate in the political system because, at the very least, it participates in our lives whether or not we like it. It stands to reason then that we should be active participants in the political system. We needn't all run for office but we should know how the system works, why it is set the way it is, and vote according to our principles and values, not party affiliation. The difficulty arises quickly because the first two items in that list each require ingredients that seem in short supply; effort and time.

The last item has an additional hurdle that proves most challenging, though the associated action, voting, requires little effort at all. To vote according to our principles and values, not party affiliation, will at some point require a person to assess some or even all of their fundamental beliefs, their worldview, or to admit they may have been misled or even explicitly lied to. Worse even, a person may need to admit to themselves that their "opposition" is correct and by extrapolation that they, themselves, are wrong; potentially terribly so. To admit such a thing can require a great deal of courage and bravery.

How many of you, dear readers, are so brave and courageous.

But this is our central responsibility.

"...  for the People who once upon a time handed out military command, high civil office, legions — everything, now restrains itself and anxiously hopes for just two things ..."

This next line shows us the transaction itself. It lists explicitly and implicitly what these people have given up and what for. These same people who bore the responsibility of society at all levels have abdicated their position, and given up their liberty and autonomy for just two things. Those two things had better be pretty damned valuable to give up all that they've worked for as a society over the previous millennia. It's simple economics, the value of a thing is ultimately determined by the buyer. Outside of a communist system, the seller can set the price as they see fit but, ultimately, if the value is too low, the buyer won't participate in the transaction.

So, What could be so valuable?

"... bread and circuses."

This is the inevitable result of a decadent society in which we have largely solved. We are far too eager, too lazy, or too dimwitted, to allow the system to manage our responsibilities for us. Or worse, to take care of us entirely, which the powers that be are far too happy to do. As we give our autonomy and liberty to others we accept their control in exchange and often mistakenly believe them to be moral actors as well. We are, more often than not, moral ourselves and we look to see ourselves in others. Thus we have no reason to see the system as anything but a moral good and this is a flimsy disguise the system would like to prop up as long as possible and do so by force and trickery. 

What are these people are left hoping for, frankly all they have left is food and entertainment. Given in the smallest doses to prevent the people from rising against that frail system. It isn't just any food either, it is bread. It is a cheap filler with little nutritional value beyond the calories and carbohydrates. Further, the people await the circus, a large and expensive show with little to no lasting value. Neither bread nor circuses are substantive in any way for the long term. They are fleeting in their very nature.

The modern world brimming with things that are the antithesis of good nutrition for our minds, bodies, and souls. We all have a magic portal to endless, mindless, entertainment in our back pockets. Our T.V.s, social media, and computers are purpose-built to distract us from substantive thought and experiences. It manifests in reality shows, competition shows, awards shows, and of course feckless news and sports. What's more, and terrible, is that the most nutritious foods are literally out of reach for many. Instead, they supplement their diets with ultra-processed rubbish. Then we wonder why our children can't learn, run, jump, support themselves on the monkey bars, or sit still unless they are lost in a screen.

This is all the result of our collective surrender. What we give away, the system will freely take up and will only give it back by force. Does this mean we should look for and give up all of our bread and circuses? Not exactly. What it means is that we should recognize how, when, and what is slurping up our precious time, attention, and adoration. We need to recognize the opportunity cost associated with the things that occupy our time, minds, and hearts. This recognition alone can drive an individual to substantive things.