LetsMoveToTheMoon

God, Technology, and Things That Make Us Want to Move to the Moon

3 Things I Learned about Life from Reality Shows

May 16, 2010

This post is obviously on a subject about which I don’t talk much on this blog, reality shows, but I’m (unfortunately) a big fan of them. Let’s be clear, though, that I like them for the social, group dynamics, and strategic aspects (I’m currently majoring in Sociology). I’m talking about shows like Survivor, Big Brother, and The Amazing Race (and even the Apprentice!), which all involve lots of interaction in tense and unique situations and a certain level of creative strategizing, in contrast to A&E-style documentaries, goofy celebrity stalk-fests, Real World romance junk, and on and on.

Anyway, I really enjoy shows like Survivor, and I’ve taken away lots of insight from these shows. This post is my attempt at sharing three of those insights, and if it goes well maybe I’ll share some more later. Onward…

1. Integrity is the Most Important Thing Ever, Sorta

People can’t stand liars. Even on a show like Big Brother, a show on which the idea of the game is basically to lie your way into not getting enough votes to be kicked from the house, contestants who lie are immediately considered the most evil people that the world has ever seen. Survivors who go around and lie are constantly lambasted (my goal is to use the word “lambast” at least once a day) by their fellow contestants.

At the same time, though, everyone lies. Seriously, it’s extremely rare that you’ll find a person on one of these strategy-based shows that will make it the whole time without lying. Interestingly, what happens then is that the people who lie less accuse the people who lie more of being despicable, and when confronted for their own lies they simply defend themselves by saying they only lied a little bit.

Regardless, let me tell you that if these shows offer any insight into real life, you shouldn’t lie to anyone if you want people to like you. Well that or only lie a little bit and try not to get caught. Honestly (see what I did there?), though, it might be better not to lie at all.

2. Be Loyal…Enough

As much as these goofs care about integrity, they care about loyalty just as much if not more. No contestant is despised more than one who teams up with two or three other people, only to switch to another group later. Oh the humanity!

I think I understand this one. Telling someone you’re on his side is a big deal. He’s supported. You’ve got his back. Going back on that promise and joining up with someone else is a personal offense. You just don’t do that. It’s a betrayal, you’re a traitor. And after all, if Dante hated traitors then we should, too.

The one point that might throw a wrench into that logic is that sometimes that betraying one group in favor of another, well, works. Often, in fact, does one person flop and then proceed to chip away at their former group’s numbers. What’s the life lesson here? Easy: be loyal and stick with the people with whom you say you’re gonna stick…otherwise switch to a better group only if you’re sure you can get rid of the old one.

3. Selfishness is a Virtue

You’ve gotta look out for yourself. If you don’t take care of yourself, nobody will. Watch out for numero uno. All catchphrases of any good reality television contestant. And, to be honest, it sorta makes sense. If you’re playing chess, you’re not trying to make it really easy for the other guy to have a good move…you’re trying to take him the heck out.

But what does that say about us? I’m not sure, but I can tell you one thing: shows like Survivor can basically be considered footage on how much people care only about themselves. But that conflicts with point 2. Be loyal to other people, but you’ve got to look out for your own interests. I have no idea how you’re supposed to do that. Good players in these games know how to hold those in tension, although in life I’m not necessarily sure there’s supposed to be much of that selfishness at all.

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All that said, I think these make for some pretty lousy life lessons. I’d love to hear your thoughts on these, though, particularly regarding how you think someone that is good at these three things and therefore succeeds in a game show like Survivor or Big Brother might succeed in life. Also, from the other point of view, would an honest, loyal, and selfless person be any good on one of these shows, or do you think they’d be a joke? Let’s hear it!