Journal 2

So I started asking classmates and coworkers, thumbs up or thumbs down, on reality television shows? I guess I didn’t realize the gravity of the question. Almost every response was something like, “well I don’t know! I mean I guess it just depends on what reality show you’re watching.” Mostly everyone agreed that reality TV was anything but reality. This is the appeal. In the book they use the term Humilitainment, which is defined as the tendency for viewers to be attached to spectacular mortification. I have to admit I have never considered myself a big reality tv fan. I don’t have the luxury of cable television, but every time I’m at family or friend’s house I’m hooked. It usually stops me in my tracks, and I am hypnotized by the insanity. I personally love when I see teams, and a race is involved. I became a huge fan of Ru Paul’s Drag race. Jersey Shore is bogus, you don’t even realize what you’re doing, but before you know it your eyes seemed to be glued. I have been known to spend the entire weekend watching every episode in every season. This just goes to show you the power of the wild idea that they now call reality TV. “Reality TV is just as real as anything else, it’s not”. The desire for human connection has never been greater. This combined with pure curiosity could easily explain the enormous popularity of this latest TV trend.