Question #3 What do you think of the popularity of "reality TV" says about U.S. society and media literacy? Is it a change for the better or for the worse?
I think that the popularity of reality T.V. makes a new name for U.S. society. It gives outsiders a chance to make a perception of what American life is all about. That being said, I think that most reality shows focus on one theme about Americans, that theme ties into being loud, always outgoing, and being "stuck up". Now most reality t.v. today is for younger generation entertainment but if an international individual were to view this content how would they judge us?? I just think that Americans are more than the outgoers, or the Jersey Shores or the real housewives of( ...). We are independent, intellectual, hard working individuals who are no different than the next of kin.
As far as it being a change for better or worse...I say it is neither here nor there. I think that some would look at this as a change for the better as a matter of getting our name out in the world and being more popular. Most reality t.v. is used for our enjoyment, but my question is will it ever make a different purpose??
I wonder about the dumbing down of TV (which is often already dumb), but more importantly, I wonder if these shows do not give a false impression to other countries of what life is like in the US. This is exactly what we were talking about in class when we discussed how media affect our perception of reality, and unfortunately, these shows are mainly what other countries see of us.
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