Reality Brutality

I was sitting at home looking for something to watch on TV when I began to think about our obsession with what I call, "Reality?" TV.  Duck Dynasty, American Hogger, Moonshiners, The Real Housewives of wherever, and so many, many more.  I wonder how many people think that what they are seeing is real, instead of the scripted version of real people and their lives.  Personally, I would lose my mind if I was under the TV microscope.  Cameras everywhere just waiting for a "memorable" moment.  Isn't it strange that no one on these shows ever gets up, eats breakfast, brushes their teeth, goes to work, comes home, watches some other poor bastard on reality TV, takes a shower and goes to bed? That's reality for about 99% of this country.  I watch and I'm amused on the one hand and ashamed on the other.  Is it hypocritical for me to watch and not be willing to be watched?  So I wrote a little poem that I'd like to share with you. 

Reality Brutality

Sunday, December 01, 2013

2:31 PM

I live in a world obsessed with TV "reality"

While hiding my "real" self from any scrutiny.

What makes the voyeur in us all spy at others,

While ignoring the "Don't stare!" we learned from our mothers?

Safe at home we sit before a video screen.

The more bizarre it gets, the further in we lean.

We lament the "fakes" and "falseness" in the world.

While the social limit lines are constantly blurred.

Will there be a time when the world gives acceptance?

When I no longer need to keep others at arms distance?

I wish it was so, but I fear it will never be.

So I build up the wall, hiding behind "Clever Me"!

All the pain and resentment, I keep deep inside

My sense of self, that very nearly died

I have to protect my own fragile personality

Safe from a world of "reality" brutality

Kathy Wilson, December 2013