I’m not a fan of Reality TV. But I get why so many people are.
We want to be connected to each other. Reality TV gives us that. “Real” people, “like us”, living their life. Or, in the case of reality gameshows and competitions, a myopic sliver of life.
I want to be connected to others. 100% percent. We’ll get to that in a minute. So, I’m not going to launch into another “here’s why Reality TV sucks” sermon. I will make an ironic observation that struck me when I found myself considering my dislike for the genre. I was thinking about the riots in Baltimore and how there was that one mom who put a beat down on her son on national TV because he was participating in the rioting. She was labeled “Mother of the year” by some. I also saw stories of people criticizing her for disciplining her son in such a violent and public manner. This is my point.
Why do we care about this? And why do we feel the need to make it public discourse and critique the virtue or lack thereof in her actions?
When did we become so involved in the lives of complete strangers to the point where we think our opinion on the topic actually matters?
I’m not sure what one does in a riot situation where one’s son is involved. I don’t think there’s a page in the parenting playbook on this one. Well, maybe there is now.
I don’t think all Reality TV is evil. Some of it’s entertaining. (Except for the Bachelor. It’s evil incarnate.) But some of it really does highlight the human condition in an honorable manner. I just figure I’ve got enough to handle in my own life to need to concern myself with the concerns of people who wouldn’t be on my radar if it weren’t for their TV status. I know that reads like a self-centered attitude. I guess in a way it is. It’s not a perfect science but I’m working it anyway. The concerns of others I’m most interested in are the ones I can actually do something about due to proximity and influence. Those that truly need a hand and attention to their plight.
I realize the irony of this. After all, I write this blog in the hopes of exposing pieces of my world to others to entertain, challenge and with some luck, inspire. And all of you tune in each week to see what’s in store.
You should probably all unsubscribe now.
Unless this is more than spectacle, simply designed to shock and awe and distract.
That’s the thing with any media though. The line can be so thin sometimes it’s hard to tell without special magnifying equipment.
