VoiceBox.

reality tv versus blogs.

Reality TV. Yuck, right?

Perhaps so. I think so to some extent. I can't stand shows like Joe Millionaire, Battle of the Sexes, Survivor, etc. The types of reality shows based on competition....is that reality? No, but then again one can argue that nothing on TV is reality. I whole-heartedly believe that all of these so-called reality television shows are scripted and mapped out just as much as your every day, run of the mill sitcom.

I am going to have to admit, despit my hatred for these shows that offer millions of dollars to convince your parents you're marrying some fat slob, I am a Real World junkie. Oh yeah, and Newlyweds, and Laguna Beach.

Sickening, I know. I never thought I'd watch TV at all let alone "reality" television. That quickly changed when I moved into my dad's house and lived with cable television for the first time ever. Yes, kids, somebody can live 18 years with only 4 channels! *gasp*

I think the appeal to shows such as Real World and Newlyweds is the gossip factor, and the fact that we know what is happening in the lives of the high class, admired, rich celebs. I know my best frend and I sit around and say, "So how about what Jessica said to Nick last episode? Did you SEE THAT?" We talk about these celebrities like we know them personally, and it just gives us teenagers something to gossip about. Not to mention it gives the media something to buzz about. Yes, we all know of the Jessica Simpson Chicken or Tuna slip-up. Gossip, gossip, gossip. It's what draws the audience in, especially the teenagers. We live for drama...life just isn't the same without it. Sad.

Blogs. What do you think of when you hear that word? I certainly don't relate it to reality television in any way. Blogs are on a much higher level because they ACTUALLY deal with "REAL REALITY." I use that term because ever since "reality" television, our ideas of what reality is has been skewed. I'm sure there are people out there who think driving around in a stretch Hummer with 22 inch spinning rims is the only way to live. ER! WRONG.

Wih blogs, people are writing about real topics and occurances in their every day lives. Granted, I'm sure there are blogs out there in which the content is entirely based on fictional stories or something of that nature, but generally speaking blogs contain completely real, non-fictional content.

Blogs can be a form of entertainment, but I feel they are much more educational. They're also entertaining in the sense of commenting. People love to chat, debate, argue, raise points, and praise one another....it's just human nature. Blogs allow people to do this easily and, if desired, anonymously. Blogs are an ideal form of communication.

So there are very drastic differences between the two. I do feel the reason for watching reality TV and reading/writing blogs boils down to one thing:

WE ARE NEBBY BY NATURE! We want to know what's going on in other people's lives, simple as that. We want people to read what we write and comment on it.

Now don't get all offensive, I know many people write blogs to inform the world of various topics. But really, think about it....whose blogs do you read? People who you know right? Generally speaking, probably so. You want to know what's going on with people you know. Same with the Real World....we don't know those 7 people at first, but we come to know them by the show, and after a while we want to know what they're up to so we watch religiously.

Whew. I'm going to stop rambling. Comments welcome. =D