Bread and Circuses

More than 2000 years ago, there was a Roman poet named Juvenal. In one of his writings, Satire X, he described a technique used by people in power. He called it “panem et circenses”, which literally means “bread and circuses” in Latin.

The idea was simple: keep people entertained and comfortable enough so they never question authorities. Provide food and fun, and they will stay quite… obedient.

From his idea came a quote that goes:
“Give them bread and circuses, and they will never revolt.”

If this technique was true thousands of years ago… I think it’s probably even more true today.

Just bread and circuses have changed their forms.

The circus is what you are holding in your hand. Our phones. Endless scrolling, short videos, new trends.

Even bad actually, at that time people only watched the circus…but now… we are part of it, performing in it. Every trend followed is a continuation of the show. Just think about it… we, Muslims, were meant to be trend setters. Not trend followers.

And the bread? Its comfort. Convenience of technology. The illusion that we are in control of it. Just a question to ask ourselves… Are we really controlling our phones or the other way around? In the so-called era of information… Are we “thinking” what we are being fed or just following?

In fact now we have tools for thinking, congrats 👏 we don’t even have to do that anymore. Welcome to the age of AI. Every question, which was meant for us to answer, is answered by them. Why don’t we think that someone is behind these AIs too? Feeding them what they want.

I often feel and I sometimes say to my friends that “thinking may become a rare skill in near future”.

I am not saying not to use it, in fact we are faaaarrr behind in this technology. What I am saying is that the use should be conscious. We are meant to be ‘users of technology’ not ‘slaves of technology’.

It’s time to accept… WE ARE BECOMING CLOWNS IN THIS CIRCUS.

The first step to escape is realizing the uncomfortable truth. Probably our perspectives are not our’s anymore.

We should question. We have to question. Question those in authority.

And do you know who is in authority over you? Probably not what you think.

At the very top of this authority ladder… it’s YOU… you are in authority over yourself. Question your own thinking. The war begins from inside. There is a reason in Islam success is not fame or money… It’s the war you win against your own self (Al Quran 91:9).

Let’s start from ourselves and then transcend every boundary. Defeat every unjust authority. But again… starting from ourselves.

Here is a challenge… absolutely zero circus for 1 day. One day… you with only YOU. Just enjoy YOUR company. Below is the graphic you can set as wallpaper… which may remind you whenever you pick up your phone… to not fall for the trap again.

May Allah guide us, open our minds, and help us see beyond the illusions. Ameen.

By the way… what do you think… Who is “organising” the circus???