Isn't that a little hard on him? You're not only making him feel bad about something he didn't do, you're making him feel bad about something that di… - Kage Baker

With the invention of printing, mass standardized culture had become possible.
With the inventions of photography and then cinema, the standardization of popular culture began to progress geometrically and its rate of change slowed down. In addition, the complete documentation of daily life made possible by these technological advances presented the mass of humanity, for the first time in history, with a mirror in which to regard itself. Less and less had it been able to look away, as its own image became more detailed and perfect, especially with the burden of information that became available at the end of the twentieth century.
What this meant, in practical terms, was that retro was the only fashion.

Sex, Kiu said thoughtfully. And Fear. Get that big old devil behind them with a stick, and my radiant beauty in front of them, and they'll run right off a cliff, if I ask.
I'm a firm believer in Guilt, personally, said Labienus.
Works well on individuals, Kiu conceded.
Nothing like it for subtle motivation. Plant it deeply enough into a mortal's psyche and it twists them endlessly. Labienus sighed. Get it in there young enough and it'll do all your work for you. You'll have only to prod the mortal along with a suggestion now and then.

Faith and its attendant rituals sound like a good deal, the whole eternal salvation thing, but inevitably they lead to fear, oppression, the rack and flames.