ErinMikela

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Abstract:
This article covers a few of the plethora of archetypal characters that often star in these “reality” TV shows. The fact of the matter is that a very select variety of people aspire to become reality TV stars, and it is those people who further perpetuate stereotypes. The article also brings up the idea of “media literacy.” This, in essence, is the concept of critically and actively watching television in a manner to promote a deeper level of thought. The presence of these regressive images has had some serious effects on our culture. Even though no one claims to be effected or formulate all of their ideas on this TV trash, their mere existence colors our perceptions.

**Questions:**

 * 1) Which shows do you think have been most detrimental to stereotypical images?
 * 2) What are some other archetypal characters and their traits?
 * 3) How are you influenced by these type of programming? Do you think society is influenced by these types of shows?
 * 4) Would you want your children to watch reality TV?
 * 5) Is there any positive aspect to watching these types of shows? (besides their entertainment value)
 * 6) What do you think about the theory of "Media Literacy"?

Erin's Response
This article was funny and informative. Even though no one claims to be effected or formulate all of their ideas on this TV trash, their mere existence colors our perceptions and ideas. We have stereotypes for both sexes and all races, in Hawaii, even though we are a more racially diverse place than most this is still true. Reality TV has become anything but reality, we view ridiculous people in situations that are anything but normal. Reality TV shows create drama by forcing people to live together or compete for monetary prizes. Yet we see the way these people interact and from these interactions in heightened states of stress create perceptions about how these people act on a regular day to day basis. We see the insanity but think "oh, this is reality TV, so this must be how people really are." From these various conclusions we then begin to create new characters and standards by which we label people and place them into roles. We are all subject to racial stereotyping and now with media that consistently portray certain types of people, their characteristics come together and create a new caricature. So now any guy who happens to love Ed Hardy-esque shirts, hair gel, keeping in shape and having a tan is a Guido. Another subset of the Guido, the Gorilla-Juice Head, is extremely massive. These are just two of the examples of new stereotypes that have become mainstream lingo due to reality television. Our need to oversimplify the human condition and label people is running rampant and now creating unrealistic images of humanity. I personally would not want my children watching these types of trashy television shows. I would fear for their perceptions of what people are "really" like and how "normal" people behave.


 * Mikela's Response**


 * I found this article really interesting and very true. It mainly talks about how the media warps and influences our perceptions of what is real and accepted in society. There are very few people in this world whose lives go unmediated; therefore, there is a need to practice media literacy. The article says, “Media literacy advocates aren’t stumping for censorship, or discouraging popular media consumption entirely, but rather encouraging consumption with a critical eye.” I completely agree with this because I think the media influences too many people about the wrong ideas. As Jennifer Pozner explains, I think when people sit down to watch T.V they see it as a source of entertainment (which it is) and absorb all the information thrown at them without thinking about it. I think Pozner’s ideas to increase media literacy through her websites and web shows are very clever and effective. There are so many people that I know who base their lives off of what they see on T.V. Many of the women and men on T.V are super skinny and/or muscular and live unrealistic lives, yet people strive to be like them. Take the opening lines for example. Almost all of what it says is false, but im not sure how many people know that. I agree that the media’s influence is somewhat negative at times and portrays unrealistic ideas and lifestyles. Shows such as The Secret Life of the American Teenager where girls get pregnant at very young ages does not help teens in decisions about sex. Shows like that actually make it seem like getting pregnant is not such a bad thing, and sex is okay. The media has the power to influence people’s perceptions of others and even the opposite gender, which is a way stereotypes begin. **