Part 9/13:
Throughout history, those seeking control have understood the advantage of distraction. Ancient Athens’ sophists turned philosophy into a business of persuasion, not truth. Today, the same principle applies as media, politics, and culture commodify attention. algorithms and sensational narratives keep us captivated, often at the expense of critical thinking.
Socrates’ method—questioning rather than dictating—remains a potent tool. He believed that societies could only flourish if their citizens cultivated virtue and reason. When people accept superficial narratives without question, democracy deteriorates into spectacle, driven by emotion and consensus rather than independent reflection.