So, who really plays whom?

I want to start off by saying that I'm throughly disgusted with human nature, even my own.  The fact that we are so enthralled at the despair of others is more than just disturbing, its mortifying.  So begs the question, "Why are we so entertained?".  Perhaps because this 'drama/violence' is not something that we are accustomed to.  I feel as though this, and the idea of having the upper hand on the 'game contestants' are the main reasons for our euphoria.  We enjoy watching others struggle because in comparison, our lives seem so much better.  

Suzanne Collins recognized the human fascination with such drama for the basis of The Hunger Games.  In an interview with the author she stated that she had both classical and contemporary inspirations.  She borrowed some material from Theseus and Minotaur, a story in Greek Mythology.  The ideas from the stories are quite parallel.  In both children are sacrificed in the name of freedom; in Hunger Games it is to remind the villagers that they are not free and in the Myth it is to keep the people of Athens free.  Collins also used the Roman Gladiator games for ideas such as the all powerful government, contestants being forced to fight to the death and everyone being involved, even if their roles were so minimal as simply viewing.  Some of her other thoughts came from contemporary references.  She explained in her interview that she had been flipping between channels and came across both the war in Iraq and Reality TV shows.  I find it very interesting that she focused on the two.  In Iraq we have people fighting for freedom, and participants/contestants are giving up that very freedom by being on Reality TV shows. Ironic, huh?

I really feel that it all boils down to us, as humans, wanting our fifteen minutes of fame.  We don't care how or what we have to do, just as long as it is ours and everyone is watching.  It's sad that we live in a society that people crave so much attention.  But maybe the people on these shows and in Hunger Games weren't the people craving the most attention, perhaps it was the audience?  The 'game contestants' play up to whatever will give them and their shows the best ratings.  Shows with the best ratings are talked about by the viewers, the real attention junkies.  Nearly all of us are sucked into these shows and think that we have the upper hand, but really the participants are playing us.  They know what our reactions will be to certain things, they know what sells.  Sex, fights, bloodshed, death..any type of gory or steamy jolt and they have our attention and allegiance to further publicize them.

Voyeurs of 'Reality'

I generally don't have time to watch TV, so most of my viewing is limited to times we are in between semesters.  However, this weekend i was attempting to catch up on last season of Teen Mom on MTV.
The segment of the show that i watched was an episode entitled ' As Long as We're Together'

Teen Mom (Season 3) | Ep. 9 | 'As Long As We're Together'


In this episode, Farrah and her parents go on a trip to Arizona; for Farrah it is to look into homes, for her parents it seems to be a vacation.  If we skip around to one of the other couples followed by the show, you find Tyler meeting Catelynn's dad for the first time and her reuniting with her father, who is somewhat absent from her life.  Amber and Gary still have their problems, but for the sake of the holidays seem to be trying to keep it together for Leah.  As far as Maci and Bentley go, she seems to be trying to stick it out with Kyle, but is having problems balancing her schoolwork and time with Bentley.


I think every couple and single parent i have mentioned above is a 'hostage'.  Everyone knows and expects Farrah to shoot some snide remark towards her parents and make a scene no matter where they are.  Catelynn can be counted on to bring immaturity to the forefront.  Amber and Gary are constantly bickering and letting their emotions get the best of them, even in front of their daughters.  Lastly, Maci always has boy problems or issues with school, which of course we can all relate to.  


Of course i enjoy watching the show, otherwise i wouldn't waste nearly an hour of my time (i ffwd commercials).  I think what makes the show so alluring is the feeling of empowerment that one receives while watching someone struggle with life.  It's sick, but we all feel that we are in a sense 'better' than those we are watching; whether it be that we are bettered by watching and learning from their experiences or by false pretense.  As the audience we have the upper hand to think outside of the here and now, where as if we were constantly being filmed we wouldn't have the 'alone' time or time to clear our thoughts.  I also feel that for some of the more vulnerable and impressionable viewers out there, this show might be somewhat idolized in the sense that it is okay for younger teens to have children.  It's entrancing to have an inside view on the 'intimate' sides of these young women's lives; we can connect with them on some level because a lot of the things they are facing are the same ones we face everyday.  We almost get a sense that we know the people; I know on more than one occasion my friends and I have talked about the stars from teen mom as if they were someone we went to high school with. 


We are voyeurs. We enjoy watching others struggle. We are sick.