The world seems to have become obsessed with reality... well, no. I guess that statement isn't absolutely accurate - it's more like the world seems to have become obsessed with watching reality, on tv. Nonscripted, cast and structured to induce high stakes drama and steamy sexual tension - just like real life.
Reality is defined by www.merriam-webster.com as a noun, meaning 1) the quality or state of being real, 2) A1: a real event, entity, or state of affairsA2: the totality of real things and events B: something that is neither derivative nor dependent but exists necessarily, 3) television programming that features videos of actual occurrences (as a police chase, stunt, or natural disaster) —often used attributively ; in reality = in actual fact.
How funny that Merriam Webster includes "reality television" as one definition of reality.
So, what is the draw that people have (honestly... myself included) to reality television? I think that for some people, watching people interact and seeing how human nature plays out in stressful situations and interactions can be a substitute for doing it themselves. A substitute that does not stress their own life, barely impacts their own life (with the exception of the occational water cooler discussion / gambling).
Often the shows are cast, even if not scripted - for example, the myriad dating reality shows that have started showing up, and having babies, and grandbabies - where will this go? If half of the contenstants on each current reality television show is interesting enough to have their own, eventually half of the free world will have their own show, and the other half will be contestants. I am looking forward to this, and hoping that the Alea Show is a brilliant success.
Will this interest that we have in watching other people living in reality on television, rather than living in it for ourselves, have an end? Or will humankind simply evolve into a race that required nothing but a cord plugged into the back of our skull to input everything our five senses could require or desire?
Could this be how The Matrix comes to be??
Reality is defined by www.merriam-webster.com as a noun, meaning 1) the quality or state of being real, 2) A1: a real event, entity, or state of affairs
How funny that Merriam Webster includes "reality television" as one definition of reality.
So, what is the draw that people have (honestly... myself included) to reality television? I think that for some people, watching people interact and seeing how human nature plays out in stressful situations and interactions can be a substitute for doing it themselves. A substitute that does not stress their own life, barely impacts their own life (with the exception of the occational water cooler discussion / gambling).
Often the shows are cast, even if not scripted - for example, the myriad dating reality shows that have started showing up, and having babies, and grandbabies - where will this go? If half of the contenstants on each current reality television show is interesting enough to have their own, eventually half of the free world will have their own show, and the other half will be contestants. I am looking forward to this, and hoping that the Alea Show is a brilliant success.
Will this interest that we have in watching other people living in reality on television, rather than living in it for ourselves, have an end? Or will humankind simply evolve into a race that required nothing but a cord plugged into the back of our skull to input everything our five senses could require or desire?
Could this be how The Matrix comes to be??
I prefer the unreal - so much more
ReplyDeleteinteresting and varied.
"If half of the contenstants on each current reality television show is interesting enough to have their own, eventually half of the free world will have their own show, and the other half will be contestants. I am looking forward to this, and hoping that the Alea Show is a brilliant success."
ReplyDeleteYES! I would definitely watch the Alea Show