What's up with all of this stupid reality TV
This reality TV craze has been bothering me for a long time. Most of these programs are unethical, and anti-social.
I've had many discussions with friends about reality TV's ethical considerations. Most of the tune-in factor is the emotional nature of the interactions. The problem is that viewers are treating other people’s exploitations as entertainment. Sure the people on these shows are consenting but when is the consented exploitation of individuals for entertainment really any different than prostitution? The only difference that I see is that reality TV is more socially acceptable. The people on these shows have their different motivations; money, fame, or what-ever, but in the end they are attempting to achieve these goals through exploitation. I think that it is morally wrong to contribute to this exploitation by providing a viewership.
I think that these shows are also very anti-social. Conversations that I have are quickly turning from satisfying into in-depth analysis of Boston Rob's survivor strategy. I remember a quote and I can't find it's source but it goes, “Small people talk about people, medium people talk about events, and big people talk about ideas.” I'm seeing “Big” people all around me turning into small shallow people. People are starting to find the excitement in their own lives by watching fabricated events on TV. I would rather watch something educational or socially redeeming, but I can’t because of all of this reality TV drivel.
I can only hope that the sensational nature of reality TV is going to be its undoing. These shows are going to have to one up each other until they reach a level that the people are going to reject them. In the mean time I will remain a strong critic.
