SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME
If you haven't had the chance to check any of Adam Curtis's documentaries out, I would recommend either 'The Power of Nightmares' and 'The Trap: What happened to our dream of freedom'.
I feel not only, that I have learned a great deal of things, but my evaluations of such concepts as Neo-conservatism, which I had hitherto placed firmly in the EVIL POLITICAL RIGHT box was actually filled probably mostly with idealists and those obsessed with money (though some are still evil).
I think I am coming round to Doug Stanhope's view:
"I watch an assload of documentaries when I'm home and generally it's because I hope to enjoy them - unlike regular television which I often times watch just to hate. Hate is entertainment too."
(http://www.dougstanhope.com/)
So I want to watch more documentaries. Documentaries are at least are trying to teach us something, even if it is just about sharks or Nazis while other programmes which proclaim to be about 'reality' are fake. As Charlie Brooker pointed out here http://youtu.be/BBwepkVurCI reality tv events are not as 'real' as they may seem.
When I watch so-called 'reality-tv' (S loves such shows) I find myself thinking very strange thoughts:
1 - 'What not to wear' - Well, she looks comfortable in what she is wearing but perhaps she could...oh wow she looks much better. Isn't it amazing what you can do if you put some effort in? I should put some more effort in (some hours later, having put NO effort in my appearance other than having a cup of tea in my hand) Yep, she looks frumpy, she should wear something more suited to her figure, yep that is exactly what I said Trinny, weren't you listening?
2 - 'Location, location location'/'Relocation relocation' - Hmmm, what would it be like living there I wonder? No, the bathroom is too small, the stairs are too steep, the whole thing looks haunted. What do you mean you want a period house WITHOUT any period features? That makes no sense! That is not the best house you saw, you people are idiots! They would be lost without Phil.
3 - 'So you think you can dance?' - So you THINK you can dance? I don't think you can dance and as you have to compete for my vote, I CAN judge you (nb. I am of course aware outside of these thoughts that such votes are near meaningless in an artifically induced narrative and I have never voted as part of any of the phone-in shows)
4 - 'Britain's got talent' - Oh jeez, no, no, no, you can't sing/dance/perform. Your son/daughter is NOT a prodigy. Yes you have talent but is it good enough to perform before the QUEEN?
Now, I know that these programmes are quickly edited to create a false narrative designed to promote a story in an hour slot but are they also designed to make me feel superior to everyone who goes on them? Is Doug right and reality shows are not designed for my enjoyment, not created to make me feel love for my fellow man but hatred and superiority?