Modern Gladiators

Looking back at the ancient Roman arena and the atrocities commited therein, most of us are appalled. Slaves, criminals, and professionals fought one another, often to the death, for the entertainment of spectators. We regard the patrons of the arena and their blood-lust with contempt and disgust.

There is much to be admired about gladiator combat. It could be argued to be the pinnacle of competition--win or die. Many of the gladiators were highly skilled in their craft. They must have been terrific athletes. Not all of them fought against their will, and some of them became successful celebrities. They were known to demonstrate extreme courage. Cicero said, "...when do you ever see one twist his neck away after he has been ordered to extend it for the death blow?"

Does the fact that the arena put some admirable qualities on display make it a virtuous activity?

Human nature has not changed. Our thirst for contention and destruction has not been assuaged. Rather than indulging in physical violence, we revel in emotional and psychological combat.

I'm talking, of course, about the abomination known as reality television.

We delight in the tears of contestants on the Bachelor(ette).

We are thrilled by the arguing and backstabbing that takes place on the Apprentice.

We laugh at cat fights between disturbed and egotistical women on America's Next Top Model.

We love to hate the jerk who constantly ridicules and criticizes his substitute wife on Wife Swap.

And who gets sucked into American Idol by the winners? We get sucked in by the losers--the people who make fools of themselves. (And by "we" I mean our culture because I have never been sucked into that lame show.)

Okay, so reality TV isn't as bad as watching men kill each other for the fun of it, but it's the same principle and I really hate reality TV.