You can't fix stupid.

I watched an old movie today - Things to come. Being based on a novel by H.G. Wells it did have an overtly socialist theme, nevertheless It did raise some thoughts in my mind.
It would be an over simplification of the plot to say that people in general want a peaceful, happy life, it's just that there's always some wanker who want's to stuff it up. A more realistic description would be that people are very easily led down a path of oppression and misery.

John Lennon famously said "War is over if you want it". Of course that relies on all parties refusing to take part. A noble if unrealistic approach. Certainly a lot of essentially one sided conflicts could be avoided, if only people were willing to use their brains. Here then lies the problem. The vast majority of people are idiots. It's not their fault. Genetic predisposition coupled with indoctrinated educational practices guarantee that the bulk of any population are nothing more than fodder for a system of control.

For undeniable proof I need present nothing more to you than exhibit A ... Any TV guide in any country. Tally up the hours of mindless pap compared to programming that actually educates and informs. Now, don't go blaming the television stations. It's a ratings based industry and they merely provide what the bulk of good little consumers want.
Cable television is even more blatant. In order to access the programs of substance in a country like Australia you have to pay extra. On top of the fee charged for the basic package garbage. The logic being that if you want informed content you must be in a higher income bracket.

It's with a sense of irony that I note one of the things the military uses to ingratiate new mince is the promise of further education. Only a deal maker if your ability to pay your own way doesn't exist. It's quite clearly targeted at the poor who, let's face it, are usually the one's dumb enough to fight rich people's wars without being aware of doing it.

Oh yes, it's noble to fight for ones country. In the right circumstances. But ever noticed that the ones causing all the grief and making all the profit are never in the thick of it?

It's a cycle that has continued for thousands of years. It won't end. As a species we're just too stupid.