Reality Shows: Destroyer Of Your Brain Or Entertainment

Save our souls or how reality shows influence our life

The machinations of the TV channels, lies of the educational TV channels, cliché dominance and so on – it all seems less harmful comparing with the damage that reality shows cause to modern TV.

American professors Steven Reiss and James Wiltz in their research “Why people watch reality TV” have proved that people watch such broadcasts leaded by the worst motives. We are talking not about voyeurism at all. Moreover, the desire to spy on other people has, in fact, little in common with the real picture of what is going on: actually, for the viewers the most important is to reinforce a sense of self-importance and to be released from moral issues for a while. There is more, such people are concerned more about their social status, and they are much more revengeful than others. According to the authors of the research, observation of other people's suffering and just silly situations motivates such people more that their own success and progress. If we develop this idea, the average fan of the reality show is ... Patrick Bateman in “American Psycho”.

By the way, in “Real TV Reality: whether reality shows influence the crime rates” Leslie Chow and Mary Lopez on the “Laguna Beach” reality show (it was about vile spoiled Californian students) showed that reality shows really could worsen the crime situation. In the real resort town of Laguna Beach crime was falling during the 2000s (as all over the United States), but after the start of the show it started to increase again (there were more robbery and rape). Likely, the reason was that the reality show contributed to the creation of negative image of local citizens and in such a way pushed the criminals to action in the area.

Taking everything we have mentioned above into consideration, it would be very naïve to think that reality shows do not have any negative influence on the TV viewers. In the research there was studying of the effect of a reality show about plastic surgery on the audience’s expectations and decisions in this field. It was discovered that 78% of people, who use the services of plastic surgeons, watched this reality show (and 57% were fans of the show). The problem is that the huge part of the surgeons’ work, contrary to popular misconception, is restoration of the people appearance, of those who have been injured, but not nose shape change and insert of the silicone implants. However, this show influenced directly growth in demand from the people, who do not need surgeon’s help at all, but since it was shown on TV, they had to do it.

However, the demand for this type of broadcasts is dictated not but the viewers, but the TV channels authorities. They use reality shows to fill the airtime free from the rating broadcasts. So the fact that there are so many reality shows on TV is not the viewers’ choice, but the way to fill the airtime.

Of course, it is much easier to make another reality show about dog groomers’ life from Beverly Hills than give Werner Herzog money to make really interesting broadcast. Anyway, I believe, with the material well-being and cultural level growth the average viewer will become more demanding to the quality of the broadcasts.

Reality shows: for and against

Reality shows are probably the most scandal phenomenon on modern TV. The viewers are “divided” into two groups: “for” and “against” such shows. To my mind, each group has its reasonable arguments.

Listening to those, who are “against”, you become really frightened, because according to their words reality shows contain all the known sins, and there is nothing pure and bright in them.

Probable, it is easier to see everything in dark colours, than try to see the whole colour palette. Anyway, I think it is not fair to divide everything into good and bad. Our life is interesting in its variety; it means there is a drop of light in the darkest place, and vice versa.

Unfortunately, modern TV aims primarily commercial purposes, it is hard to argue here. First of all it harms the quality of the products shown on TV.

Modern TV crews try to do everything fast and with as much benefit as possible, and they are not concerned about the impact that their products have.

Reality shows bring huge profits. Money is “made” on the absolute love of the fans towards the reality show heroes. Usually the main audience is young people.

Let’s try to figure out what exact aspect of reality shows may cause harmful effect on the young generation. What exactly concerns the viewers who are against. It is impossible to discuss everything at once, so we will analyze the most common reasons, why people criticize reality shows.

Fame and money

TV can give you just in few days what people try to get for years. Victory, as a guarantee of a comfortable existence, attracts young people. First of all reality shows attract those, who do not see other ways of becoming rich except the TV world. In front of the TV screen, in the process of show watching, rapid enrichment seems to be quite available and simple.

Fame is easily achievable. It is not necessary to work hard and make efforts, you do not need to waste years for studying, you get fame and money the way you are. All you need is to show yourself. A month spent on TV makes you famous all over the country, fans write you letters, money comes to you.

But how long such a fame will last? How will you earn money after? These questions do not bother most of people. Young people used to live right here and right now without thinking about future. The worst is that easy money and other wealth usually become the most important things, damaging pure human relationships. Getting your aim at any price becomes normal. Only the strongest survives, destroying those who are weaker, usually betraying, humiliating, and offending.

The cult of appearance

Today the youth pays great attention to appearance. The advertising industry, Hollywood movies and reality shows use beauty in order to attract viewers. The outer attractiveness is the first thing organizers pay attention to when choose new heroes for reality shows. If earlier beauty was a relative concept, today it has quite standard parameters. Even some extra weight can become a real tragedy for its owner.

Looking at attractive girls in shows, young girls-fans spend their parents’ money to “upgrade” their appearance (nail and hair extension, expensive sunrooms and fashionable clothes)

Natural beauty has become something secondary. Human inner beauty is devalued.

Aggression

Fights, swearing, bad language, scandal scenes always attracted attention. In pursuit of ratings reality shows are literary filled with scandals.

Bad habits

Reality show heroes often have bad habits and are not ashamed of demonstrating them. In such a way they promote unhealthy style of life and young people follow it easily without thinking about the consequences.

Depravity

The body demonstration became common thing, girl skillfully seduce young people and then share their secrets with their young followers. The intimacy of the relationship of man and woman disappeared.

I belong neither to the group “for”, nor to the group “against” reality shows. I think that broad-minded developed person can see both, advantages and disadvantages of modern shows. However, today adults face serious problem of children upbringing.

First of all, we should form the values for our children showing our own example. In this case it will be easier for them to understand what is right and what is wrong. Meanwhile we hope that TV will soon rise to a new level, the broadcasts will be of high quality, and generally TV will become a friend for its viewers.

Now, having read this essay about reality shows, you are able to form your own valid opinion. If you look for more essays on reality shows, visit our website. You have a great opportunity to order essay on reality show or any other topic you need. Our team of professional writers is always there to help you.