Reality TV, the Human Psyche & Politics

I am so addicted to reality TV that it's not funny anymore.

• Survivor
• American Idol
• Pop Idol (UK)
• The Apprentice (U.K. & U.S)
• Extreme Makeover (with my old college friend Sam!)
• Extreme Makeover Home Edition
• Fame Academy (BBC)
• Etc. etc. etc.

Out of control. If I try to analyze why I like these shows so much, several things come to mind. You tend to get to know the characters - real people and not actors - really well over time and see their struggle to change their lives for the better, which is something I think we all aspire to. In some cases, you get to see people wrestle with very real personal demons, and involved in relationship with others. And of course I think we all get off most on the conflict that's created (the "Simon Cowell Effect"). Why else would anyone have ever watched Jerry Springer?

Has our way of living our lives and expressing ourselves become so "civilized" (read: sterile), that we are all subconsciously longing for some passionate and honest expression? Especially in the American society I come from, I think there's high value placed on the ability to avoid conflict. And I think that's so unnatural that we're starting to see it start to burst out at the seems because of it being too confined. Political discourse is becoming increasingly vitriolic and uncivilized, despite the fact that it's perfectly possible to passionately express one's opinion and disagreement without being mean about it. And worse yet, American's are responding to Islamic fanaticism with their own brand of right-wing Christian nationalist fanaticism. Like that's going to solve anything! But I digress...

With our small little unexciting lives of going to and from work, dropping the kids off at soccer and paying our bills, I think Reality TV has become the new way to live more exciting lives vicariously through others. Perhaps instead we should direct our energy at actually HAVING exciting and adventurous lives instead of having to witness them by proxy on TV.