It’s 9:00 p.m. and everyone gathers around the television for a night of “Reality Programming.” As we gaze upon the screen and begin loading data into our brains, I question, “Is reality television shaping our minds and the minds of our children, and if so, into what?” In the last decade or so there has been a new craze that has swept our nation, and that is reality television. Why are these shows so popular? According to the Reality T.V. World’s website, there are around 1,000 reality television programs and reality TV; and grown to the point of now having reality TV networks such as TruTv. In Fox’s network history, “American Idol posted the highest ratings of any show besides sports,” According to Business Week Online. Dramalities are in
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However, when celebrities speak out on controversial issues they seem to stand as a more credible source than that of the average citizen or academically prepared expert in the field of the topic at hand. The issue on why media uses these celebrities to speak out is simple, when celebrities have taken a stand on a particular issue, their names associated draws publicity and in turn draws more viewers. Celebrity culture is hardly a new phenomenon. There are strong historical antecedents which continue, in some form, to this day. However, more recent changes in the structure and operation of the media have contributed to a celebrity culture that truly blurs the line between politics and entertainment. While the contemporary era is not the first time celebrities have spoken out on questions of public policy and controversial issues, there are a number of factors in the current period that have given these celebrities a far greater voice in civic affairs. Our culture has changed in ways that glorify fame and fortune. Citizens are now cynical and do not trust conventional politicians or experts, and thus celebrities provide society the credibility we …show more content…
According to the Social Comparison Theory, we compare ourselves to others as an attempt to make accurate evaluations of ourselves. I believe, while comparison can be a valuable source of motivation and growth, it can also spin us into a frenzy of self-doubt. Mark Twain said that, “Comparison is the death of joy.” Research has found that “comparing” breeds feelings of envy, depression, low self-confidence and compromises our ability to trust. It’s ultimately a losing battle. In this game of life, you will never reach a point where you are better than others in every way. We as a society need to stop using someone else as a benchmark in evaluating our own
However, when celebrities speak out on controversial issues they seem to stand as a more credible source than that of the average citizen or academically prepared expert in the field of the topic at hand. The issue on why media uses these celebrities to speak out is simple, when celebrities have taken a stand on a particular issue, their names associated draws publicity and in turn draws more viewers. Celebrity culture is hardly a new phenomenon. There are strong historical antecedents which continue, in some form, to this day. However, more recent changes in the structure and operation of the media have contributed to a celebrity culture that truly blurs the line between politics and entertainment. While the contemporary era is not the first time celebrities have spoken out on questions of public policy and controversial issues, there are a number of factors in the current period that have given these celebrities a far greater voice in civic affairs. Our culture has changed in ways that glorify fame and fortune. Citizens are now cynical and do not trust conventional politicians or experts, and thus celebrities provide society the credibility we …show more content…
According to the Social Comparison Theory, we compare ourselves to others as an attempt to make accurate evaluations of ourselves. I believe, while comparison can be a valuable source of motivation and growth, it can also spin us into a frenzy of self-doubt. Mark Twain said that, “Comparison is the death of joy.” Research has found that “comparing” breeds feelings of envy, depression, low self-confidence and compromises our ability to trust. It’s ultimately a losing battle. In this game of life, you will never reach a point where you are better than others in every way. We as a society need to stop using someone else as a benchmark in evaluating our own