Kim Jong Un doesn't believe in this theory though

The parellels exist in the concept. A capitalist leaning government doesn't need to have state ran distractions as the private sector fills the need. As history shows with movies, news, television, and private companies in general, the government often directly requests, forces, or utilizes corporations for propaganda, distraction, or other means, even often operating private companies as fronts with covert government control or influence. The Contras were not largely directly us financed after 1984, backing was provided through a conclomerate of shells in private industry financed by gun and drug trade leading to the trial of Oliver North. It is difficult to argue against possible government involvement in any front in light of historical evidence- but the existing evidence doesn't make it the default either. It is well document and prudent any government be involved in the moral and temperament of its citizens in order to ensure domestic tranquility and stability.

Good points. That makes it possible, but that doesn't mean any government where sports stadiums exist (any 1st world country) is trying to keep the public docile and dumbed down through distractions and entertainment.

I agree. The possibility doesn't equate to a certainty. In a "free market" those who want to keep themselves dumbed down and docile will do so and private industry will provide the means as that's how profit works. You provide what people want, not what is "best." Largely any government is more concerned with dealing with people who do not want to step in line on their own, making the focus on mass placation, ironically a distraction in its self. By and large in the first world people have little or nothing to gain and much to lose by righting the "necessary evils" responsible for their standards of living and causing instability. Faced with being complicit in these acts it's easier to claim plausible deniability, and keep the mind on enjoyable things while reaping the benefits. The government doesn't really need to do much on the distraction front. We have that covered by our self interest.

Most modern sports stadiums are pubically funded to a massive degree. Look at the new Braves stadium in Cobb County, Levi Stadium in SF, the new Rangers ballpark...teams will bilk local municipalities out of hundreds of millions of dollars and never pay it back.

It's only socialism when you give money to people who don't have money. When you give money to wealthy individuals it's stimulating the economy.

Exactly!

Not sure if serious.jpg

On my part it is sarcasm poking fun at the idea that many claim those asking for social programs and public works are "lazy" or "socialists" while at the same time being examples of unethical capitalism and accepting funds from public sources to fund businesses which finance their own lavish personal lives.

Oh, thank God.