The Market of Violence: The Show We Pay For

As long as people are willing to pay to watch others break each other, this world isn’t going to change. The crowds sit there, chugging beer, screaming with excitement at every punch, at every knockout. To them, it’s just a show. Blood in the ring? It’s entertainment. Nothing personal. They don’t think about what happens to the ones stepping into the fight. They don’t care that after every win or loss, someone’s lying in a hospital bed with a broken face and a shattered life.

The ones stepping into the cage didn’t choose this path for fun. No, they’re not in there to prove something to someone. I’m talking about the beginning of their journey. Some of them might make decent money, but those are the lucky few. They’re in that cage because their life is worse than the fight. Because their kids are hungry. Because bills don’t pay themselves. They’ve got no other options. Either you fight, or you starve. There’s no room for weakness or pity in the cage — it’s just a job. Doesn’t matter about the injuries, doesn’t matter about the risk. The fight is their way to survive. For their family. For the chance to live another day.

And while these people are risking their health, their lives, their sanity, someone up in the stands is cheering. They don’t care who’s taking the hits down there. They came for the thrill. They paid for the blood and broken bones. They want a show, and someone else’s pain is just background noise. The moment when someone gets knocked out cold? That’s the highlight of their night. And after that? Who gives a damn. Whether he wakes up or not — that’s not their problem.

That’s the way it is. Some people break others for money, others watch it, laugh, and clap. And it’s going to stay this way as long as someone needs bread and someone else needs a show.

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