People ask me all the time "What's new?" "What's happening?" " How are things going?". I recognize that for most people this is just small talk - a way of saying hi, or just starting conversation. For some of my friends and colleagues, though, it's a serious question, but one that I've taken to ignoring so much in casual conversation, I don't really think about the answer. After all, who would be interested in my life (especially that my main life adventures ended six months ago)
I thought of this the other day, when a friend I hadn't seen in several weeks asked me what was new. When I gave my standard answer ("Really nothing much, how about with you?") he seemed surprised. It was a real question, and he was really interested, and didn't quite understand how nothing could be new in two months. And when I really thought about it - there's a lot going on in my life! First, I've just taken over as the Cubmaster for the local Cub Scout pack. I'm running a half-marathon next week, and a full marathon in just over a month, and doing all of the training for that. I've taken a new job in my company and finally feel like I understand what I'm doing, and on top of all that, I turn 40 next week (something my friend didn't realize). Sure, there are other issues I am concerned about - my father's health isn't great, and I worry about him and my mom; one of my sons is struggling with the pace of learning in school, so we're thinking about moving him to a new school; I'm wrestling with some big questions of religion and my place in society / my community.
I might not share all of this with my friend, or anyone else fully when they ask how I am, but it strikes me how little I think others are interested in me as a person. I do subscribe to the adage "You would care less about what people think of you if you realized how rarely they do", and I think we are living in a world where ego(t)ism is a bit out of control with the pervasiveness of Facebook, Twitter, and blogs (this one included). That said, there are those in my life to whom I should not give short shrift when express some interest. I am interested in what's going on in the lives of my friends, so why is it so odd they might be interested in mine? As I am examining many of my habits and behaviors this Lenten season, this is another one that I think I should explore a bit. I'm sure the world isn't interested in what's on my plate, but I can accept that a few people close to me could be.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Reality Television
I think these early years of the 21st century are really the golden age for documentaries. There is so much programming time available on the multitude of channels today, that even shows which could only hope for a marginal audience can get aired, and there's always some segment of the viewing audience which will be interested. (I compare this to my own childhood, where documentaries were only the stuff of PBS, and we typically watched them only when required to for homework, or when Dad had control over the TV channels.)
There are shows today about professions as diverse as fishermen, firefighters, models, and, of course, housewives. We've seen police shows ever since COPS arrived on Fox years ago, and I think this was the start of the reality TV movement, followed by the (in my opinion fantastic) Eco-Challenge. That said, I'm still waiting for Hollywood to call me about my ideas for the show about accountants and finance professionals (and no, "The Apprentice" just doesn't suffice).
What we often call 'reality' television, though, is nothing but. We have shows where people are 'trapped' on a desert island, apply for jobs as models, businesspeople and makeup artists, and others where people "look for love" (e.g. the Bachelor). My problem with many of these shows is that they are contrived situations, made for the television, and frankly, other than the notoriety of having appeared on the show, people's lives aren't changed by the experience.
One big exception to this, though, is "The Biggest Loser". On this show, people's lives can be dramatically altered just by their participation in the show, and the education they receive on nutrition and exercise. What is surprising is how little some of the contestants know about these subjects before they arrive on the show, but I guess if they were well-versed in these topics, they wouldn't be there. Outside the mainstream, though, is another show called "Heavy" on A&E. This show tracks the stories of people who are just as heavy as those on "Biggest Loser", and check themselves into a similarly structured program. The difference is that at the end, there is no grand prize waiting for them, only their (significantly reduced) new shape and fitness, and the ability to live their lives in a much different way. It is remarkable to see the challenges these people have, and the changes that occur over the six to nine months they are followed, when they are motivated not by money, but only by the simple desire to live better lives.
"Biggest Loser" has many seasons of history, and lots of the winners have been able to keep off their weight; I'd be interested to learn how the non-winners do, and also to see how the people on "Heavy" do in the long term. One thing is for sure, though; these people have learned more and probably applied those learnings far more than on other reality shows. After all, you don't often find yourself on a desert island anymore.....
There are shows today about professions as diverse as fishermen, firefighters, models, and, of course, housewives. We've seen police shows ever since COPS arrived on Fox years ago, and I think this was the start of the reality TV movement, followed by the (in my opinion fantastic) Eco-Challenge. That said, I'm still waiting for Hollywood to call me about my ideas for the show about accountants and finance professionals (and no, "The Apprentice" just doesn't suffice).
What we often call 'reality' television, though, is nothing but. We have shows where people are 'trapped' on a desert island, apply for jobs as models, businesspeople and makeup artists, and others where people "look for love" (e.g. the Bachelor). My problem with many of these shows is that they are contrived situations, made for the television, and frankly, other than the notoriety of having appeared on the show, people's lives aren't changed by the experience.
One big exception to this, though, is "The Biggest Loser". On this show, people's lives can be dramatically altered just by their participation in the show, and the education they receive on nutrition and exercise. What is surprising is how little some of the contestants know about these subjects before they arrive on the show, but I guess if they were well-versed in these topics, they wouldn't be there. Outside the mainstream, though, is another show called "Heavy" on A&E. This show tracks the stories of people who are just as heavy as those on "Biggest Loser", and check themselves into a similarly structured program. The difference is that at the end, there is no grand prize waiting for them, only their (significantly reduced) new shape and fitness, and the ability to live their lives in a much different way. It is remarkable to see the challenges these people have, and the changes that occur over the six to nine months they are followed, when they are motivated not by money, but only by the simple desire to live better lives.
"Biggest Loser" has many seasons of history, and lots of the winners have been able to keep off their weight; I'd be interested to learn how the non-winners do, and also to see how the people on "Heavy" do in the long term. One thing is for sure, though; these people have learned more and probably applied those learnings far more than on other reality shows. After all, you don't often find yourself on a desert island anymore.....
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