Bread and circuses
I was struck by the widespread enthusiasm and captivation surrounding the Cricket World Cup, especially the depth to which some individuals delved into spouting statistics about batsmen and bowlers. I couldn't help but wish that people were half as impassioned about understanding the inner workings of the world, particularly in the realm of finance. The way Central Banking seems to have turned us into unwitting slaves, all while maintaining the illusion of freedom, left me pondering. Perhaps if we dedicated similar fervor to tracking not only the taxes levied on our earnings but also those on our spending, and delved deeply into contemplating how advancements and improvements in production should realistically lead to a decrease in the cost of goods and services. However, the invisible tax of inflation often skews this reality, pushing prices upward.
In the office, the radio is a constant companion. My initial observation centred around the frequency with which the radio mentioned cricket in the days following the final match. However, what truly stood out was the relentless repetition of "BLACK FRIDAY." If I had earned a dollar for every mention of BLACK FRIDAY, I might have become a millionaire by now. It's worth noting that BLACK FRIDAY originated in the U.S., where it falls on the day after Thanksgiving.
Origins of Thanksgiving, in the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims and Wampanoag people joined together in a three-day feast to celebrate a successful harvest. This event is often considered one of the first instances of what would later become known as Thanksgiving. The participants gave thanks for the bountiful harvest and the support of the Native Americans who had taught them essential agricultural techniques.
It's astonishing how, right after a day dedicated to gratitude for what you have, we transition into the capitalist frenzy known as Black Friday.
“Give them bread and circuses and they will never revolt” - Juvenal (Ancient Rome)