Roman Emperor Vespasian, upon defeating his rival Vettilius, began construction of the Coliseum so that the masses could be entertained and distracted by the bloody spectacles. He then banished the philosophers because their teachings caused men to think for themselves.
Hmm.
We sit home every night watching endless war footage and then turn on anyone who questions authority and distracts us from the main event.
Deja vu all over again?