I continue to hold reality TV responsible for making American voters favorable to “crazy” politicians. And I’m not even referring to Trump’s history with reality TV. Reality TV rewarded dysfunctional behavior, the more outrageous the better, and added the subliminal lure that everyone’s life is actually, potentially reality TV worthy - a…
I continue to hold reality TV responsible for making American voters favorable to “crazy” politicians. And I’m not even referring to Trump’s history with reality TV. Reality TV rewarded dysfunctional behavior, the more outrageous the better, and added the subliminal lure that everyone’s life is actually, potentially reality TV worthy - as long as there’s enough crazy to be entertaining. The spillover to our politics was inevitable. The line between “reality” and “entertainment” is blurred, perhaps permanently. And people now expect entertainment 24/7. Trump delivered.
I don’t know how we pull out of this unhealthy way of living. I often think another Trump presidency would teach voters a lesson, except for the fact that there will be no corrective allowed. Project 2025 will make sure of that.
Yes that was an interesting exploration of strategies by “players”. I’m curious what it has done to the minds of watchers. I can’t even examine my own self as a subject, because I have never watched a reality show. The “Bachelor” series are totally cringe for me to even think about! Watching might be hazardous to my health. And definitely bad for my soul.
I continue to hold reality TV responsible for making American voters favorable to “crazy” politicians. And I’m not even referring to Trump’s history with reality TV. Reality TV rewarded dysfunctional behavior, the more outrageous the better, and added the subliminal lure that everyone’s life is actually, potentially reality TV worthy - as long as there’s enough crazy to be entertaining. The spillover to our politics was inevitable. The line between “reality” and “entertainment” is blurred, perhaps permanently. And people now expect entertainment 24/7. Trump delivered.
I don’t know how we pull out of this unhealthy way of living. I often think another Trump presidency would teach voters a lesson, except for the fact that there will be no corrective allowed. Project 2025 will make sure of that.
You're not wrong on that one.
How a naked man on a tropical island shaped our current political insanity https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/13/opinion/donald-trump-reality-tv-survivor.html?smid=url-share
Written by a guy who is former head of programming at VH 1.
Yes that was an interesting exploration of strategies by “players”. I’m curious what it has done to the minds of watchers. I can’t even examine my own self as a subject, because I have never watched a reality show. The “Bachelor” series are totally cringe for me to even think about! Watching might be hazardous to my health. And definitely bad for my soul.
Never watched 'reality teevee'. But I do watch some football. Both seem to produce the same byproduct: unengaged watchers. Lazy thinking
JF - one catch: another Trump presidency MIGHT teach them a lesson. But the rest of us don’t need to take that class!!