...they saw this (our future) coming....

I'm at work and watching old Star Trek episodes...."Bread and Circuses"....

Bread and Circuses

For those who don't want to watch (there are a few short but LOUD commercials).... The setting is that the Enterprise finds a world where Rome never fell and technology progressed naturally until the 20th Century. Slaves fighting in gladitorial games are the norm. Kirk, Spock, McCoy and one of the slaves are in a prison cell discussing how history progress from Roman times to their (20th Century) present: Here is the transcript:

Kirk: But if there have been slaves for over 2,000 years, hasn’t there always been discontent runaways?

Flavius: Long ago there were rebellions, but they were suppressed. Then with each century, the slaves acquired more rights under the law. They received rights to medicine, the right to government payments in their
old age…and they slowly…learned to be content.

Spock: Even more fascinating…slavery evolving into an institution…with guaranteed medical payments, old age pensions….

McCoy: Quite logical I’d say Mr. Spock. Just as is logical that 20^th Century Rome would use television to show it gladiator contests.....

Curiouser and Curiouser.....