I can’t help but wonder how much the popularity of reality TV led us to where we are now. I don’t just mean how the US president used to have his own stupid show, but how many people grew up thinking that “watching people create drama” is peak entertainment.
The same era saw the decline and demise of a number of educational channels and shows. Is it a coincidence? I don’t know. All I know is there are lots of adults who grew up watching “reality” shows who now think politics are just a game to “win” and that when their opponents are upset, it’s amusing. It’s like the concept of empathy or working together don’t even enter their minds. Everything is just for entertainment, no matter how serious it is or how many innocent people get screwed over by it.
“Reality TV”. Could anythjng be more contrived yet obviously “make it up as you go along”?
I can’t help but wonder how much the popularity of reality TV led us to where we are now. I don’t just mean how the US president used to have his own stupid show, but how many people grew up thinking that “watching people create drama” is peak entertainment.
The same era saw the decline and demise of a number of educational channels and shows. Is it a coincidence? I don’t know. All I know is there are lots of adults who grew up watching “reality” shows who now think politics are just a game to “win” and that when their opponents are upset, it’s amusing. It’s like the concept of empathy or working together don’t even enter their minds. Everything is just for entertainment, no matter how serious it is or how many innocent people get screwed over by it.
This and 24-hour “news entertainment” are fully responsible for society’s woes, far as I can tell.
It’s cheap to make. People watch other people at their packagable worst. That’s about it.