All For Show

       So we've been watching Truman Show in class. The movie made a few comments about media in our lives, and even though the movie was released in 1998 the references seemed relevant. In the movie the director of the show tried to build a utopia for Truman; however, in order to insure the safety and innocence of a utopia, as well as 24 hour surveillance of Truman's life, the director had to enforce it which caused a dystopia. Because of the constant surveillance it was hard to find the line between public and private much like reality shows of today. This has also has makes it harder to define real life and performance. This raises my suspicions if reality shows have a code or ethics or not.
       The Truman Show showed just how much media effects our lives. The Truman show was watched nation wide and because of it's success people bought memorabilia related to the show, quoted the show daily, and even attended bars dedicated to the show. The same thing started happening with recent reality shows such as Jersey Shore, Love and Hip-Hop, and American Idol. Each new reality show gets more and more in depth into people's private lives so I do not believe this movie is too far of a stretch.
       People have been their children's lives to share with everyone for a while now and most people who put their child up for adoption do it so their kids will live a safer or "better" life. So for someone to offer up their baby as a subject of a show so that they can live a perfect life doesn't sound far fetched to me. But what is a perfect life? How does one obtain one? How does one maintain one? These questions have to be answered before someone can attempt to create a utopia. The idea of a utopia varies from person to person so if someone were to play god much like the director of the Truman Show they would have to know that person's idea of a utopia, otherwise it becomes a dystopia. When people feel that they need more they go elsewhere to find more or maybe search where they didn't before to find out what they were missing. Stopping them from doing that would begin the realization that they are stuck in a dystopia. Whenever the person finds out they are being watched they are going to want to know how much and for how long.
       Most people want the choice of whether their information is shared or not. Privacy isn't just the right to be naked in your house without worrying if people can see you. Privacy is being able to have secrets and being able to get lost every once in a while. Privacy is the power to choose who you want to know things about you. However, reality show stars like to make you feel as if they have none and you are seeing every juicy moment of their life.
       These reality shows are projecting a false reality. It may be unscripted but I do not believe it is not all planned. I believe the producer and director of these shows send them on certain assignments that contradict whatever may keep them calm or happy to get a good reaction for the audience. That combined with the fact that the stars know they are being filmed, so they amplify their emotions more, is what keeps these viewers watching. Since people have found out this formula reality television has became more and more ruthless.
       I don't believe these shows have a code of ethics. These reality stars get into brutal fights, over indulge in substances, and have sex with whoever whenever they feel, and it all goes on television. If they did have a code it should be that of Jerry Springer or Maury. They can do or say whatever as long as no one gets seriously hurt or, in the case of intoxication and sleeping around, they don't show it as a positive image.
       As far as these ideas coming into play, I don't see it happening. At least not combined in one show. If it does happen how ever it will be years from now and a very big deal, much like Truman.

"Real eyes realize real lies"- Dwayne Michael Carter Jr.