I’ve noticed a very disturbing, yet escalating trend: People seem to be more disagreeable than ever before. It seems to me that they’re lashing out with less provocation, disagreeing more readily, and all but refusing to see the other person’s point of view. I don’t know how people who work with the public on a daily basis stand it. If it keeps going like this, Wal-Mart greeters will need to arm themselves with mace.
Okay, I’m exaggerating but you get the point.
Frankly, I think part of the blame lies in the the things we watch on television, specifically certain reality shows. The ones that treat fighting, yelling, name-calling, and being obnoxious as something desirable and even entertaining. Is this really what most people are drawn to these days? The Reality shows on MTV are the worst.
My husband and I went to Best Buy a few nights ago and as we were leaving, some kids were standing near the door. A few young girls were yelling and cussing – really trying to be toughies, yet looking and sounding ridiculous. The loud f-bombs, the overly dramatic anger, the attempts to seem out of control.. it was obvious that they regularly bowed at the alter of reality television. I’d rather have my toenails yanked out one by one than to see the average young lady begin to look and sound like these girls. Instead of looking bright, the future would look (and sound) dim, dark, and dank.
More adults need to pay attention to what their kids are watching – and think twice about what they’re watching, themselves. I really am sorry if that sounds…. no, I’m not. I’m not sorry how it sounds – it’s the truth.
Don’t get me wrong, a few of my favorite shows fall under the heading of Reality TV. I just dare you to get between me and The Biggest Loser or Survivor! These shows, however, aren’t the ones causing the problems. The ones that are beginning to spew nastiness out into our culture are the ones that serve absolutely no purpose at all – other than polluting their viewers, especially the ones who are a little weaker emotionally and/or mentally. They’re the shows that highlight crass behavior, yelling, crudeness, and vulgarity. They’re the ones that celebrate depravity and tastelessness.
I think everyone needs a refresher course in class, decency, and what it means to have character rather than be a character.
The other day, I was reading a thread of comments under a blog post. The post was about one of these ridiculous reality shows, one of the newer ones – Heaven help us. I’ve never seen an episode, nor would I watch one for money – but I have seen previews. The most recent preview showed females fighting, screaming, and then being carted off to jail as men stood around laughing.
Wow, so entertaining. So enriching, educational, and uplifting.
One of the comments said something to the effect, “Remember when America had class?” I have no idea whether or not this was an American who made the comment or not. Either way, as a proud American, I found the comment to be very depressing. I’d like to go on record as saying that, as a whole, we do have class. Most of us still shun this sort of ignorance and we cringe when people act like barbarians in public or private.
Our biggest fault, I suppose, may be the fact that we’ve remained too quiet and too laid back for too long. I’d l0ve to see a big, beautiful, long overdue movement rise from the heartland of America. A movement that said we’re tired of what television is doing to our country and its young people. A movement that said, America has as much class now as it ever did!
Remember, just because you can watch morons on television acting like morons on television and realize that they are abnormal doesn’t mean that a young person is capable of the same separation. Even the most intelligent and mature young person will come away from these types of shows worse than they were beforehand. Sit down with the young people in your life and watch what they watch with them – if you can stand it. Ask yourself if there’s anything remotely in this show that will make them a better, stronger, more intelligent individual. Does the show promote class, character, or tastefulness in any way?
If you think I’m over-reacting, you haven’t seen what’s on television right now. Sadly, odds are that the young people in your life probably have. Don’t feel left out, though, given enough time, you’ll see exactly what they saw. Through them. And it won’t be pretty.
simon says
A guide to change and success
The significance of change in its effects on mankind is not to be underestimated. It has been our ability to change and adapt that has made us the most successful animals on the planet. If we were not capable of change there would be no houses, cars, aeroplanes or computers . In times of need Human beings have effected change in their behaviour in order to save lives.
The power of change extends to the external world around us not just to ourselves. We continue to shape our environment in order to make life more safe or comfortable just as our ancestors did. The radical changes of the 20th century have changed our lives so profoundly that it is hard to imagine any other way of living. It is the rapid pace of change that creates new challenges to overcome. It is also true to say that the rapid pace of change also creates new opportunities for us to embrace as well.
The successful person is always willing to adapt and change with the world around them. The really successful person is one who is able to create change in the world around them. An aware and inquisitive mind is a must have. Therefore, the successful person must be sensitive to the goings on in the world around them. A top businessman, for example, needs to be conscious of gaps in the market that they are ready to exploit.
A positive frame of mind will form the base of a can do attitude. People who think positively are far more likely to see challenges rather than problems or opportunities rather than difficulties.. The positive mental attitude of the successful businessmen means that opportunity becomes a reality ; because they also have the drive and motivation to succeed and make their dream come true . So as you can see there is much to be gained from developing a state of optimism in your character about change. The problem for a lot of people is in developing it and overcoming bad habits.
One of the reasons top businessman are able to adapt and change so readily is because they remain optimistic in their appraisal of change. Rather than running terrified of the unknown successful business people are eternal optimists. A change equals a fresh opportunity, it is no surprise that the most dynamic and successful people are those who change and adapt accordingly to the environment and the situation. It fits in with what Darwin called ‘survival of the fittest’ . The most successful species are those that have adapted to their environment and made adaption’s to change when necessary. Therefore take confident that change is part and parcel of living. Without it we would become stagnant and boring.
§ Therefore develop optimism– optimists are self-disciplined and persistent in what they want to achieve in their life. Optimists plan and take action to move forward. They constantly learn about how to get better at their skills. Their self-confidence helps them to look for solutions and lead them to success in their goals. If you are pessimistic it is time you shed your pessimistic attitude and develop optimism in its place. There is no place in the world of success for negative attitudes. Think about what you can do rather than what you cannot.
It is certainly true to say about humanity that we tend to regard what we are not good at as more significant than what we are. Appraisals at work tend to provide feedback on areas that require improvement whereas school reports may be full of praise but are always encouraging growth and development in other areas. Focusing on deficiencies is certainly important for self improvement. But being overly critical and analytical is not. The trick is to find the balance, it is important to remind yourself what you are good at if you are to have the confidence to tackle other things.
Having the courage to learn and change may not necessarily make you a happy person, but it will help you negotiate hard times more smoothly and successfully as well as learn from these experiences. Knowing how your brain works helps you know when and how to intervene in managing your mind to make the process of adaptation happen more smoothly and perhaps more quickly. It also helps you monitor both the conscious and unconscious spheres of your mind and gives you feedback about whether you are adapting successfully.
If you would like to watch a FREE video on building self confidence and easy ways to destroy negative mind thoughts, go to http://www.sureconfidence.com Good luck
Steve @Life Change For You says
We decide who and what we are. Unfortunately, these young ladies have determined that they are low class, obnoxious, fools. I hope they decide to be something else soon!
.-= Steve @Life Change For You´s last blog ..Limiting Beliefs: you decide =-.
Cindy says
This is exactly why I discontinued my satellite service over 5 years ago. I did not appreciate paying ALOT of money for alot of worthless programming. Sometimes I feel like I am a mean mommy, but we still have DVDs that we enjoy and we spend our time doing other things – instead of sitting in front of the TV watching programs we don’t really enjoy just because we want to be entertained but can’t find anything worth watching on the many channels we pay an arm and a leg for… (How was that for a really looong sentence?)
The satellite company keeps calling me and trying to get me to join back up. They say that “for only a little more money I could get even more channels” (in the hopes of finding something worth watching) – I say, “I was already paying too much and getting nothing for it. Why would I want to pay even more for more of what I don’t want?!” Yes, I have to admit that I miss some of the HGTV shows + some others, but I get more done with no TV service…
Don’t even get me started on the computer games I was naive enough to allow my son to buy with his own money… I notice a distinct attitude change when he gets off the computer – not an improvement…
I guess that was my really long way of trying to say that we can start our movement, one household at a time, by refusing to pay for that kind of programming – but it is not the easiest decision to make.
Grampa Ken for social change says
There has always been some degree of brutality in entertainment but the trend is to more shock. Attraction is an effective but sad marketing strategy that is increasing in use and intensity. It gets attention, sells product and makes money. It’s our commerce based free enterprise society that’s wrong and not just a few bad guys. My two TV favorites are MUTE and OFF.
“I wish there were a knob on the TV to turn up the intelligence. There’s a knob called “brightness”, but that doesn’t work.” – Author Unknown
.-= Grampa Ken for social change´s last blog ..The Great Advertising Bubble =-.
joi says
Ken, “I wish there were a knob on the TV to turn up the intelligence. There’s a knob called “brightness”, but that doesn’t work.” – Author Unknown… I LOVE that!!!!!
You’re right, the element of shock is obviously at the top of every TV executive’s to do list. Even innocent little reality shows are starting to gravitate toward the shock approach. I always think, just have confidence and faith in your show and in it’s fans… don’t go for shock, go for value. – Joi
joi says
Cindy, you hit it right on the head – it has to start one household at a time. For those of us who simply can’t part with their satellite service (I think I’d go into Food Network withdrawal), it’s all about making the right choices as opposed to the wrong choices. When kids are involved, it’s really hard to stand firm. But when we remember that it’s for their own good, it makes it a little easier. As for computer and video games, can you believe how violent they are?!?! I know there has always been a certain level of violence – even in the days of playing cowboys and Indians or kids playing with GI Joe figures. But there’s a whole new level today of glorifying violence and making a “good kill” and at the risk of sounding like a fuddy duddy, it makes me uneasy. – Joi
joi says
Steve, You got it! I’m afraid that when it comes to young people, My SAVE THE WORLD complex is at an all time high. I always want to put my arms around them and give them the “talk of their lives!” I wish they’d realize the importance of having class and character. It just makes me sad to see someone with their entire life in front of them wasting it and not trying to make the most of themselves or their life. I hope they switch gears soon, too. I’m afraid, however, that they won’t do it on their own any time soon. I think a brave adult will have to step up and, lovingly, help them out. God willing, there’s just such an adult in their lives — though evidence suggests otherwise. – Joi