Thursday, August 30, 2007
Growing up Gotti is something the majority of us are not familiar with. In fact, most of us probably come from middle class families where BMWs, flights to Paris, and personal chefs are highly uncommon. But with America’s sudden overexposure to materialism-driven TV shows, commercials and lifestyles, it’s easy to question whether or not we are slowly demoralizing ourselves and our concept of reality.
It’s my own personal belief that TV is in fact the “gateway drug” to the underlying materialism that drives our country. But just like a majority of the world, I too have fallen victim. However, it’s hard not to question the messages being portrayed on such shows as “My Super Sweet 16,” “Growing up Gotti,” “The Hills” and “The Fabulous Life Of.” One would like to believe that the economic status being portrayed on these “reality” television shows would not have an influence over its viewers, but in all reality, they do.
Let’s take “My Super Sweet 16,” for example. The main purpose of the show is for MTV to demonstrate to the world that there are families in America who live and participate in shamelessly excessive lifestyles. I believe it’s fair to say that a $500,000 birthday party is a “little” excessive. This show is a result of the modern fascination of extreme wealth and status symbols, and the only message being portrayed is “I want, and I get!” The media is at fault with shows such as this. Rather then celebrating righteousness or good will, or promoting concepts such as kindness, personal responsibility, tolerance or love for humanity, they produce shows that celebrate vanity, greed, instant gratification, self-indulgence and obsession with fame and fortune. Wouldn’t it be a better message for MTV, and for the world, to base a show on helping less-fortunate families throw parties for their sixteen-year-olds?
The argument here is not that TV is inherently evil, or that it’s at all bad. Honestly, I love TV, but as a society, why are we allowing ourselves to openly invite materialistic views into our living room? Do we as a country look to our possessions to bring us happiness?
We have become so successful in manipulating the world that we now believe we can solve all of our problems by altering our surroundings. It’s horrible to think that we go through life believing happiness is obtained by what we have or what we do. Receiving a Ferrari instead of a birthday cake is a prime example of materialism invading our culture.
Durbin is a Hays junior in journalism and English.
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Comments
Durbin: There’s not much reality in reality TV
Right on! I totally agree with this column. If MTV was really wanting to do something cool, they could do a show where they help an underprivileged family put on an awesome birthday party for a well-behaved kid. That'd be worth watching.
Of course, no one else agrees, they want to see some whiny 16 year old start spazzing out because she might not get the right $3,000 centerpieces for the table for her SIXTEENTH BIRTHDAY. Honestly... Or they could do a show where one of these brats is given a beat up old 80's car and forced to live like the rest of us when we turned 16... given a $500-$2500 POS car and told "good luck... Now get a job"
Durbin: There’s not much reality in reality TV
"Or they could do a show where one of these brats is given a beat up old 80's car and forced to live like the rest of us when we turned 16... given a $500-$2500 POS car and told "good luck... Now get a job"
I would watch a show like that.
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