An Escape from Reality, through Reality TV
In a world where stress and burnout are at an all-time high, it is important to take time for yourself to distract from the oftentimes unavoidable dejection of our real lives. One of the best ways to escape is at our fingertips every day; all you have to do is press a button—this being reality television.
From competition shows like Survivor and The Challenge to dating shows like Love Island and The Bachelor, reality television allows us to leave the world we experience and enter someone else’s.
Even though mindlessly engaging in this form of media can be relaxing, the parallels between our lives and what is being shown on the screen are undeniable.
One of the most beautiful aspects of reality television is how it allows us to empathize with others who might come from different backgrounds. We hear the stories of these contestants and their tribulations, which connects us to a real person we have never met before.
For minorities in certain areas, such as race, sexuality, gender, class, etc., seeing contestants with traits we can relate to can provide a sense of hope that success and happiness are achievable no matter where you come from.
Take Vecepia Towery, the first Black contestant to win the hit reality competition show Survivor. For many viewers in 2002, the year her season concluded, her win was seen as a trailblazing and defining moment encompassing strength and hope.
Towery’s victory took place in a time when only a very specific set of attributes were highlighted on television. Today, an immense amount of progress has been made to capitalize on showcasing individuals with unique backgrounds.
Image Courtesy: Inside Survivor
Despite these trailblazing moments, reality television and the contestants who appear on these shows hold up a mirror to the audience, forcing us to reflect on the decisions and choices we make in our everyday lives, as well as how we treat people.
So often, when watching these shows, we pick our favorite contestant, someone to root for, and the reason for tuning in every week to see if they will make it to the next episode.
On the contrary, we sit in agony watching an individual we hate, praying on their downfall and resenting every second they appear on screen.
This form of judgment happens in our real lives. We have preconceived notions about individuals we might not know very well and make assumptions based on these notions.
There has been a rise in polarization among reality television contestants, and social media is a breeding ground for an argument. Online heated discussions are at an all-time high over a simple disagreement about a person who is shown on screen for an hour every week.
It is essential not to lose the escape reality television brings to the world because of humanity's faultiness.
Reality television is more than just an escape; it reflects human nature. Our biases are challenged, and so is our basic human empathy for others. Our opinions on these contestants, whether it be admiration or resentment, mirror the judgments we make towards others in our lives.
So let's take reality television for what it should be used for: an outlet for tranquility and seeing the good in others. After all, learning about other's experiences is the best tool for growing as a person.
Strike Out,
Matthew Wolfe
Boca Raton
Matty Wolfe is a Content Writer for Strike Magazine Boca. As a lover of nature and the ocean, you can probably find him sunbathing at the beach or finding a new hiking trail. If you ever do find him inside, he'll be indulging in Lana Del Rey's discography or watching old Survivor seasons. You can reach him by email at mattheww0507@gmail.com or on Instagram @mattyywolfe.
