The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines ‘Panem et Circenses’ as the provision of the means of life and recreation by government to appease discontent. This political tactic can be dated all the way back to when the ideas of government and how it should run first started to form. The emperor of Ancient Rome, Julius Caesar, provided the general public with a constant stream of entertainment of all varieties to keep the people peaceful and content with authority. This kept the people of Rome entertained and happy, but they were also distracted from Caesar and his actual intentions and plans for the future (Cunningham 2). This deceiving political tactic is not only prominent throughout history, but in literature as well. In Orwell’s 1984,
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Facebook, Twitter, TV, Magazines, and all forms of mass media all may seem like just simple source of constant entertainment, but are so much more in the terms of important decision-making in American lives. Whether is is known or not, mass media plays a huge role in the conduct of American politics. Graber explores the different tactics; social media, media ownership, the regulatory environment, infotainment, and war-time reporting, used by the media to alter political outcomes and standings. Not only is the government in control of some educational, informative, and foreign mass media, but the federal government gains around 374 million dollars annually from the public broadcasting system itself (38). The general public is completely oblivious to the giant microphone shouting suggestive phrases into their ears. With the distracting and influencing mass media, it is rare for people to make decisions for themselves, and when they do, it is usually in favor of the dominating …show more content…
A large percentage of Americans have a deep connection with sports, and keep up with them at all costs. Most of our country pays more attention to sports, rather than the important issues, such as politics. A playoff game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Jacksonville Jaguars got almost three times as many viewers as the Republican debate that aired the same night (Schumann 1). Sports are a way for fans to escape, to have fun. But in reality, by doing this, the people are unaware of what is really going on, what the government is doing, or is not doing, simultaneously. This obsession of sports is all too evident throughout our society, but the sport industry is a billion dollar business, so naturally, the government and large corporations make sure that sports are always available to the consumer, and they are doing this very successfully. With constant sport coverage, Americans will always have the “bread and circuses” that they need to be distracted from the real matters of the
Facebook, Twitter, TV, Magazines, and all forms of mass media all may seem like just simple source of constant entertainment, but are so much more in the terms of important decision-making in American lives. Whether is is known or not, mass media plays a huge role in the conduct of American politics. Graber explores the different tactics; social media, media ownership, the regulatory environment, infotainment, and war-time reporting, used by the media to alter political outcomes and standings. Not only is the government in control of some educational, informative, and foreign mass media, but the federal government gains around 374 million dollars annually from the public broadcasting system itself (38). The general public is completely oblivious to the giant microphone shouting suggestive phrases into their ears. With the distracting and influencing mass media, it is rare for people to make decisions for themselves, and when they do, it is usually in favor of the dominating …show more content…
A large percentage of Americans have a deep connection with sports, and keep up with them at all costs. Most of our country pays more attention to sports, rather than the important issues, such as politics. A playoff game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Jacksonville Jaguars got almost three times as many viewers as the Republican debate that aired the same night (Schumann 1). Sports are a way for fans to escape, to have fun. But in reality, by doing this, the people are unaware of what is really going on, what the government is doing, or is not doing, simultaneously. This obsession of sports is all too evident throughout our society, but the sport industry is a billion dollar business, so naturally, the government and large corporations make sure that sports are always available to the consumer, and they are doing this very successfully. With constant sport coverage, Americans will always have the “bread and circuses” that they need to be distracted from the real matters of the