Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes: Why do people in the Capitol find the Games dull initially?

The people in the Capitol find the Games initially dull for several reasons. Firstly, the Hunger Games at this time are still relatively new and lack the extravagant spectacle that later becomes synonymous with the Games. The arena is a simple sports stadium, and the tributes try to hide from each other in the stands rather than navigating a dynamic and dangerous outdoor landscape. The lack of cameras following the tributes and minimal use of microphones also diminishes the entertainment value for the audience. Without the intense visual and auditory experience, the viewers find the Games monotonous.Additionally, the Capitol citizens are not particularly invested in the tributes or their lives. They acknowledge the necessity of the Games after the recent war between the districts and the Capitol, but they do not have a personal connection or interest in the tributes. To them, watching impoverished children fight and potentially die is not intrinsically captivating or enjoyable. The Capitol citizens are eager to see their enemies from the rebellious districts suffer, but watching the tributes does not satisfy their desires for vengeance or excitement.To address this lack of enthusiasm, the Capitol introduces a mentorship program where 24 elite students from the Capitol's Academy guide the tributes. The hope is that these mentors can inject fresh interest into the Games and create a sense of unity between the Capitol and the districts. One of these mentors is Coriolanus Snow, the future President Snow and the protagonist of the story. Coriolanus sees an opportunity to further his own ambitions by enhancing the entertainment value of the Games.Coriolanus proposes ideas to the Gamemakers on how to make the Games more engaging. He suggests conducting interviews with the tributes to allow the audience to get to know them better and create a reason for viewers to care about the fights. He also proposes the idea of allowing viewers to bet on tributes, creating a rooting interest for the audience. Coriolanus understands that by making the Games more captivating, he can gain recognition and favor among the career politicians who pay attention to the Games. The introduction of these elements adds a new layer of excitement and engagement to the Hunger Games.Overall, the initial dullness of the Games in the Capitol can be attributed to the lack of spectacle, the absence of personal connections to the tributes, and the limited investment of the audience. However, as the story progresses, Coriolanus Snow's actions and ideas transform the Games into a more thrilling and captivating event, thereby capturing the interest of Capitol citizens and viewers alike.