When we choose to live vicariously through our favorite characters' lives, we decide that our life isn't good enough - we want more. To satisfy this desire, we watch the program of our choice to momentarily escape our own reality. These TV shows give us a false sense of reality because that's we we, as consumers, want.
If you want evidence, listen to the gossip you hear everyday in the work place, in school, on the radio, in the news or even in your own home. The center of gossip is not on our own individual lives, but on the people we don't even know who are in Hollywood's spotlight. To me this is incredulous.
My question to you is how does this false sense of reality affect how we live our lives?
39 comments:
I don't think it really affects my life that much. I will say it is fun to know this and that about a celebrity just because I can. And since some people I work with and have associations with have nothing more in common with me than tv shows, why not use that as something to talk about?
I don't think it affects my life that much. To be honest, I could care less what is happening in Hollywood as long as they still produce movies and shows that entertain me. I don't follow celebrity's lives, and I've found plenty of other things to talk about with co-workers and friends. The only entertainment television I religiously follow is Gossip Girl, and even then it's just for the clothes, and I already had an obsession with clothes before I started to watch the show.
I believe that having a false sense of reality because of television is one of the reasons why we tend to be so fearful. We may be afraid to try to enter the job market or invest money because of the "economic problems" that we hear so much about on television. Or some television shows may completely give us a false reality on the abundance of sexual predators because of the show "To Catch a Predator" or of overall crime because of the evening news. Our reality is skewed to an extent and the false sense of reality may in fact make us less-comfortable and more fearful.
I think it's just a hobby for some people. I don't think it's a valuable hobby, or an edifying hobby. It doesn't make anyone a better person. But as long as it doesn't become an obsession or take away people grip on real life- then it's just a hobby.
I never realized the impact of reality TV shows until the book described reality TV shows such as makeover shows telling us we aren't good enough and that we need the help of a professional in order to feel good. I think whether we know or it or not, everything we see leaves an impression on us. Maybe some of these shows are the reason why so many people struggle with self-esteem because advertisers want us to feel bad so we'll go out and buy something.
I think you already identified how it affects our lives-- it finds its way in to our conversations. Like has been stated here, it provides a point in common among various individuals. Television and media have long played this role, the only difference is now, reality TV seems to dominate network programming.
I like watching Jack Bauer....i like watching Jack on lost.....i like watching michael scott on the office....but when the shows over, i forget about it till next week, or the next time that I have the chance to watch. At no point do I believe that I work for the government and am supposed to stop a terrorist cell operating in the HFAC. I don't think that I might get transported back to a freaky island that has magical powers, and i don't think that michael scott will appear to me and congragulate me on ethic day for being white.
I think that TV does affect us a little bit, but we can be smart about what we spend our time watching. As "above the show" as you may feel you are, it will affect you in some shape or form. That is why we are counseled to be careful as to what we watch.
I think have a false view of reality lets us be more fearful of the world because TV always shows more crimes happening than really are in reality. Plus, I think it could lower someone's self-esteem because people constantly compare themselves to characters on tv shows - why don't I look like them. Hello, those people probably have personal trainers or their job is to look good. So hey if you had hours a day to work-out i'm sure you would like perfect too.
I like wathcing Prison Break but I have never wished that I were in Prison and had to break out or have the government chase me. And to be honest I watch it by myself because I don't know anyone else who likes it so I don't even talk about it to anyone else. As for the Office I think we all wish we were as cool and smart as Michael Scott.
This may offend some people, but I don't think a single one of us can say that television doesn't affect our lives, our attitudes, or beliefs. I agree, I also don't believe that perhaps my whole life is being filmed without me knowing, or wish to be stranded on an island with twenty other strangers, or any of the other outlandish plots or scenarios, but I strongly believe that television does shape the way that we view the world today, at least in a small degree. I have heard three main arguments about why many people claim "it really doesn't affect me": 1) We want to feel like we are stronger than outside influences and have complete control over our own lives 2) having our lives affected by TV has a negative connotation, and 3) the argument "I don't even watch TV hardly ever."
To quickly summarize why I think these three arguments don't hold up: 1) Whether we like it or not, we are influenced by what's around us. It's hard to go swimming without getting wet. I don't feel like we need to give up and give in to the filth and moral degradation that many shows portray, we can make personal decisions to stand firm (or even better, just not watch those shows in the first place), but what we watch will affect the ways we think. 2) Many of us try to argue we're not affected because we think that means we've become desensitized. It doesn't need to be so. Have you ever watched an episode of Extreme Makeover and felt inspired at the end to do something better with your life? Have you ever come away from the Food Channel having a greater appreciation for orange because you learned it can be used in far more dishes than you thought possible? Have you ever watched Music and the Spoken Word and spent the rest of your day kinder to your family? There are plenty of positive influences that can come from TV too and I think it's important to recognize them 3) Even if there are some of us who don't own a TV, those who we interact with do. We will in turn be influenced by those we come in contact with, who were influenced by TV. To very simply illustrate my point, have you ever quoted a movie or TV show you've never even seen? Yes you have, quite possibly without even knowing it.
I honestly think that not a single one of us in the class can claim to not be influenced at all by television.
I am weary in saying that we live vicariously around these shows. Sure there may be the occasional person who takes this stuff way too seriously, but that is the same with everything. If the same phenomenon happened with the youth culture and reading we would have an entirely different view on it. Wow, look how excited these kids are about reading. They're so engrossed in the books. This is a good thing.
I think you have to be careful. If you let yourself read into things too much you set yourself up for disappointment. Watching too much TV or too many movies sets your expectations unrealistically. I know if I watch one chick flick too many I am ultimately bored with my love life (or nonexistence thereof). I agree with jake, it's important to keep these things as hobbies and let it stop there. We have to be able to separate between Hollywood and reality.
I personally don't think it effect my life too much. I believe this is because the gospel provides me with a stable perspective on life. I think it is important to be able to recognize the difference between entertainment and reality.
I think it is crazy when people think reality television shows apply to their lives directly. They are solely for entertainment and shouldn't be taken too seriously.
I think it's just another example of escapism. Some of the movies we see are purely for entertainment purposes - to get away or take a break from our everyday life. TV can serve the same purpose for most people. I think we do enjoy living vicariously though other people but that doesn't necessarily mean that we want to be that exact person. In that sense I don't think that what TV does or how we "interact" with TV has a large impact on the way we would live our lives.
Let me start by saying that wanting to be like our favorite TV stars isn't ALWAYS a bad thing. I've always wanted to be just like Hawkeye Pierce; he's a prankster, but deep down he is a good person and I admire all the times in MASH episodes where he stands up for what's right. Is that a bad thing? Also, I think that sometimes we do become too attached to those we see on TV, but then again, is that the TV's fault or our own? I think we share just as much if not more of the blame for allowing ourselves to become too caught up.
These kind of interactions that consumers have with TV personalities is called a parasocial relationship. You may know everything there is to know about Oprah but she frankly now absolutely nothing about you, which in turn gives us the notion that we may know this person and/or character. In thinking we know them may cause some to try and mold there lives after what goes on in there shows. I think that a lot of people get bored with the monotony of their daily lives and try to escape it through these TV shows. I think it is harmless until they try to emulate the show, in which they are straight up crazy. But I don't think that occurs too often. But to a certain extent, everyone wants a way to get away.
In the spring of 2007, approximately 10.6 million Americans read either the New York Times, USA Today, or the Wall Street Journal. 42.3 million read People Magazine, 11.6 million read Us Weekly.
Escapism anyone?
Again, I feel that moderation in everything is fine. From experience, I cared more about what the "celebrities" were wearing, what activities they participated in, etc. in high school. I have found that the busier I am in my own life, the less I care about what's going on in Hollywood. Not that it ever had a huge impact on me, but I do feel more distanced from it to some degree. I do find it entertaining over anything to learn what they are doing with their lives.
I don't follow celebrities whatsoever. I suppose if I did, this could become an issue. I guess with every hobby comes it's effects.
I think that's why it's important to be very careful about the media we accept into our lives. All media today is persuasive.
I think TV has a significant effect upon our lives; especially learning how to interact with the opposite sex. Of course if you watch Lost you dont model your life after something that Jack does to escape from a situation because this doesnt come close to emulating something to reality. But maybe the way the Jack has a love affair with one of the characters; how he talks to her, how he interacts with her, how he kisses her, etc... Shows with this type of content can have an effect because besides from our friends and maybe our home, where else are we going to learn these type of actions?
I think this false sense of reality comes because we do discuss the lives of people on television. I think people become more fearful and skeptical of the world as they allow television shows to creep into their daily lives.
I think, like most things in life, things are what you make of them. I personally don't watch reality TV that much, but know people who do. They talk about their show and try to emulate their favorite characters' lives, to a certain extent. I think the most important thing when watching reality TV is to realize it is not your reality.
I think the biggest way it affects is not how it shapes us personally, but how it shapes the culture around us. We always have the freedom to choose, but its the reality around us that is changing.
i think that some people are affected by TV more than others, but everyone is definitely influenced in some way. even those who dont watch the shows are influenced at the shows carry over into the rest of our culture. one example- i read that the MTV show "the hills" increased the sales of teen vogue magazine by...well, i forgot the statistic, but by a lot. just cause the girls work at teen vogue.
reality shows can be particularly influencial - since they are said to be "reality," i think some people mimic the things they see or strive to be like the characters more than they might in a non-reality show.
I don't think reality TV effects the way I live my life. I love watching some reality TV shows, but I would never actually try to make my life like theirs. It has never crossed my mind to move to LA, be an intern at teen vogue, and go club hopping. It is pretty fun to watch on TV though, which is good enough for me.
The affect of TV on peoples lives may not be as direct as seeing someone steal a car and trying to do the exact same thing, but it socially affects us ALL. Like you said, people find commonality. Popular culture includes popular television shows and without any exposure how we interact with other people and what we talk about may be limited.
Simple put, and I hope I don't offend, this celebrity gossip dilutes our lives. I recall what it felt like to come back from my mission a few years back and hear—after a long interlude of being out of the "know"—about celebrities and this and that. I was impressed at how internally useless such knowledge was. Am I criticizing entertainment? No. What I'm criticizing is the over-the-top obsession that can sometimes creep in to our society.
people who watch it have their brains numbed, they are probably actually dumber for watching it. It has made our society into this superficial MTV culture, which basically in my opinion is a waste of space. The MTV person is someone who has a skewed perception on most things. Reality TV is NOT reality, its scripted to start with, and secondly these 'normal' things that seem to happen to the contestants rarely happens to us. Its a big Phony and we love it and fall for it because as mentioned, we are too boring ourselves that we have to live through someone else.
The false sense of reality affects how we view ourselves and the people around us. We are taught that we need to be perfect and if not, we need to get makeovers. We are taught that it is ok to be mean to each other as long as we can win the top prize. Parents need to step in and teach kids important values so that they do not grow up thinking that marrying a millionarie bachelor is the path to unending happiness.
Unlike many people stated, I do believe that this false sense of reality has a great impact on my life and also on those around me. I personally cannot deny that i compare myself and my activities to those I see on TV, for example and that I sometimes fall in the trap of believing what I see on TV. I am not saying my life revolves around these TV shows, or celebrities, but I think it would not be honest of me to say that they don't affect my life at all, personally speaking.
If I had to answer 'what is the biggest effect TV has on you?' I would say that it is the way I perceive my body - even though I know much of the beauty on TV is manipulated I can't help to compare myself.
In the previous blog, someone made the comment that divorce rates are sky-rocketing and on TV we get shows that arrange marriages and mock the sanctity of it. I think that reality shows have at least the same amount of impact on people as regular TV shows, and perhaps even more. I'm reminded of a time last year when my little sister (who is now 12) was crazy about Hannah Montana. She had all of her CDs, watched every episode, and proudly flaunted a scarf that Miley Cirus also wore. Now, Hannah Montana..not a big deal (unless she turns out to be another Britney or Lindsey)..the point is that she wanted to BE Miley Cirus. Adults, young adults, and teenagers alike aren't so far removed from the senario. We want to BE Kate or Jack from LOST, or Jim or Pam from The Office. Although theses aren't Reality TV examples, they still apply. We act based off of what we see. Whether it's reality TV or not, we adapt our morals to fit in with what's presented to us.
Reality shows can have an impact on someone just as a fictional show can have. As a communications major I feel that I am more aware of the different media effects. I don't think I am that affected by the media. However, those that aren't as aware as media students are may be more affected by the media.
As we concern ourselves more with celebrities' lives that our own, I think we develop an unrealistic idea of how we should live our lives. All of a sudden, girls need to be super skinny and beautiful looking with makeup and expensive clothes all of the time. Partying with alcohol and drugs and quick marriages becomes normal. Having lots of money and expensive cars, houses, and things becomes important. Since the stars get away with crimes in movies and real life because of their top notch lawyers, it sends a message that we don't have to be responsible for our actions. Let me just say though, that this is not an attack on Hollywood or the media, but a critique on those of us who follow and emulate these people in the spot light. Don't try to be like them and focus on your own life and the world around you.
I don't think they have an effect on people who realize what the were and what they can do. I think for people who love them and follow them it can even be a form of escapism.
This affects how we live our lives by first, the discussions we have with others. We'll talk about the last episode and how cool it was or how that one character is so beautiful. Then we'll think how we wish we could do something like that. Then sometimes, we try things like the events and incidents on our favorite television show. It starts with a little and then progresses. LIne upon line.
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