Thursday, May 13, 2010

Reality

I don't like reality.

On television, at least.

I think that view is based in optimism. I like to think people are reasonable and intelligent. I like to have hope for the world. Reality television, the bits I've seen, at least, seem to show people as idiots. Desperate for marriage at any price. All you need is a studio to claim some idiot is worth marrying and you have people fighting for the right. Even if there's nothing else they've done that even hints they're worthwhile human beings. They're willing to fight at the drop of the hat, to turn on each other.

I must admit, however, that I get most of my reality television experiences from watching Soup with Joel McHale. Logically, he'd pick the worst of it, but he seems to have plenty of clips to choose from.

I don't want to think people are like that. My desperate need to believe people are, at heart, good -- and can find their brains when they need to -- won't let me watch these shows myself.

Do you watch? Why or why not?

2 comments:

  1. I like to watch reality shows where people actually have talent when they compete with one another like Project Runway.

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  2. I don't watch the reality shows for the same reason: They show people as idiots. But then, those shows specifically choose those kind of people who are going to bring in the ratings for their show. And what type of people are going to bring in the ratings you ask? The ones that a friend of mine called "train wrecks". They're not so intelligent and not so well-mannered. However, "train wrecks" catch enough of an audience's attention that the audience can't help but to watch the train wreck. Are train wrecks representative of people in general? No, I don't believe so.

    By the way, although a little late, welcome home. :)

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