Flinty Individualism That Makes Sympathy Look Like Weaknesses - Essay Example

Flinty Individualism That Makes Sympathy Look Like Weaknesses We already live in a world where adult bullies constantly use the weakness of their victims against them. People who are unable to defend themselves are targeted because they are seen as weak and therefore, do not deserve any sympathy. They don't know how to fight dirty. Therefore they have no place in this world and will never get ahead. This is the message that reality television shows since 1993 have been delivering to the public and it has allowed the rise of a generation of bullies who believe that conniving, plotting, and bullying others is the only way they can get ahead in life. This is a type of flinty individualism that is rapidly causing the demise of our society in the sense of creating true friendships and helping, rather than bullying people in order to succeed not only as individuals, but as a team. It is this particular dark side of the new century society that was predicted and discussed by Francine Prose in her article “Voting Democracy Off the Island: Reality TV and the Republican Ethos”. Through this paper, I will be discussing the reasons as to why I believe and support the point of view of Prose. In addition to my personal opinion, I will also be presenting supporting evidence from 2 secondary sources, Jeff Williams and Karah Frank who both wrote highly interesting pieces in support of Ms. Prose's claims in her article. One of the most important things that I believe people should not forget about when watching a reality show is that there is nothing “real” about their reality. It is made to look line a documentary of real life but there is nothing real about it. The events depicted in these shows are still scripted and story boarded for a whole season. The producers, writers, directors, and cast members know before hand what story will play out and how. The problem with this scenario is that people are not privy to the fact that they are watching a new age soap opera and thus, take everything depicted within the show to be a reality of life that should be emulated and promoted as a part of civilized society. These “reality” shows truly promote, as Francine Prose explains it, “a culture of flinty individualism” as the characters on the show continuously promote bullying and demeaning of one another as a fact of life. Self interest and winning the game is all that matters for these people and they bring themselves to the bottom most rung of civilized society in order to stay ahead and win the game. Sadly, because people think that this is the way people should be acting in real life, “reality” shows have enhanced the social problem of bullying, selfishness, and lack of respect for one another in real life situations. As Jeff Williams succinctly explained, television has a way of making people unaware of the information being fed to them. There is no way the viewers can tell fact from fiction in these instances thus, they are desensitized by the media depictions of life. He further explains that “Most people wouldn't realize that reality television also desensitizes a person; they wouldn't think so because the shows are of real people and of their everyday lives or competitions they enter.” (Williams, Jeff “Reality Television Desensitazion”) Thus we end up acting out and lose respect for one another in our society. “Reality” television has brought out the worst of man in the most public manner. It reinforces the most despicable attitude of both men and women alike in the most crass manner, “promoting an amoral, Republican set of ideals.” (Frank, Karah “Reality TV: Lowering Standards Since 1992). Far from being a funny and light hearted escape from daily life, these reality shows instead promote the humiliation of others, greed, lechery, and stupidity. In agreement with Prose, Frank supports he claims by quoting Prose's article. A portion where she explains that her vision of a society influenced thoroughly by reality television is a Republican utopia where a zero sum society exists ; ... in which no one can win unless someone else loses, the conviction that altruism and compassion are signs of folly and weakness, the exaltation of solitary striving above the illusionary benefits of cooperative mutual aid, the belief that certain circumstances justify secrecy and deception, the invocation of a reviled common enemy to solidify group loyalty.... (qtd. in Frank) If there is one thing that we can claim the Republicans have successfully promoted, it is a culture of individualism wherein no one matters more than the self interests of the party and individuals. This is the “flinty individualism” that Prose no doubt refers to in her article. Reality shows should be considered to be a “parody of democracy” because the shows and its characters function in almost dictatorial way where discord, disagreement, and infighting are the order of the day. A central bully exists to create a union of individuals who are out to get one another in the end in order to win. Think “Hunger Games” without the violent deaths. The end result of these reality shows is a mass desensitazion of the viewers. This means that the show alters the viewers perception of reality in order to create a new concept of acceptable behavior in our society. Callous behavior is now considered funny, deception is a way of getting ahead or getting what one wants out of other people, and winning is the be all and end all of the scenario. We are now faced with a distorted view of society. A hollow society that claims to be democratic in its way of life and yet allows its citizens who will be allowed to stay or be thrown out of society based upon flinty individualism. These are not emply claims by Prose. Looking at the way that our society now functions, where bullying is king and office intrigue can make or break the promotion of an employee, these reality shows have gone further than just influencing the entertainment choices of people. It has trickled into real life where it can cause the most damage to the life of real people. That is why my argument is most important. The fact that people now treat one another the way the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” do, or make decisions the way a Kardashian would, or even connive and plot the downfall of another contestant in “Masterchef USA” tells us that the fears of Prose have become a reality. Our society is now forever changed in a highly negative manner. There may be no turning back for us now that the way we live our lives are patterned after reality shows. Wether a person wishes to or not, he is now truly a part of the most realistic form of story telling in real life. And there are no benefits to be gained by the individual or society from it. Works Cited Frank, Karah. “Reality TV: Lowering Standards Since 1992”. mhcc.edu. mhcc.edu. n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2014. Williams, John. “Reality Television Desensitization”. Voices. yahoo.com. 26 Oct. 2009. Web. 23 Apr. 2014. Read More