Do you feel realty television is contributing to the "dumbing down" of America?

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   rfox21posted 10 years ago

   Do you feel realty television is contributing to the "dumbing down" of America?

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   Larry Wallposted 10 years ago

   First, there is nothing real about reality television except that real people are being put in situations, assigned tasks or engage in activities that people really do.
   
   The networks are playing us big time. These shows cheap to make, have no plot line, meaningful scripts or anything else you expect from a quality television show.
   
   I have seen two episodes of hoarders and bits and pieces of other shows. I have never watch Survivor or The Great Race.
   
   The "vast wasteland" label that was applied to television many years ago, is more true today than it has ever been.
   
   With that all said I do not know if the shows are "dumbing down" America or whether Americans just don't care what they watch any more.

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   American_Choicesposted 10 years ago

   American needs to realize the cheapest form of entertainment is "reality". Quality is not a concern - profit is the concern.
   
   The reality is these "reality" shows are changing our view of the world and what is normal. The producers whether they know it or not are changing our culture.
   
   It is more than "dumbing down", reality shows are an invasion into the morale thread of our society.
   
   I refuse to be lead in this manner. I want to think and develop my own standards and these shows do not exhibit the life I want for myself or my family.

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      Larry Wallposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Well said and I totally agree.

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   Benjimesterposted 10 years ago

   All entertainment is contributing to the dumbing down of America.  Kids are growing up as wizards of Facebook, Twitter, and Netflix, but don't even know the difference between a Phillps and a regular screw driver.

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      Larry Wallposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Your screwdriver analogy is excellent. I worked for a short time in the hardware department of a chain store that sells its own brand of tools. I was amazed at the lack of knowledge from young people had.

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   IDONOposted 10 years ago

   The dummied down America is what makes these shows a success. People actually believe that these shows are not scripted and outcomes aren't known in advance. This is not new. 60 years ago, people believed that professional wrestling was all real too. I'm surprised producers didn't catch on to this concept in a big way a long time ago. A lot probably is because technology has allowed for recording and transmitting, with ease, from extremely remote places rather than the limits of a studio.
        Wresting got smart though. When they gave up the battle to convince people that it was real and entertainment only, it opened doors to a huge audience and one of the biggest entertainment franchises on Earth. Either reality TV will have to follow suit at some point or will probably disappear.

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      Larry Wallposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Well, I use to watch the local wrestling show when I was a kid and knew it was rigged, but was still amusing. I know the reality shows are rig and I do not find them entertaining. I hope they go away.

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