Sunday, June 29, 2008
Theory of Relativity and Reality shows
Feeding on youngsters who are disillusioned by the world of glamour, reality shows have increasingly become so abusive and rude that they have surpassed even the daily SOPS in their dose of drama. The standard modus operandi of these shows is to inbuild the conflict into the rules of the game they are portraying, which is of course required for any reality show. The twist in the tale though is that the means to resolve this conflict are not talent or hard work but one’s looks and capabilities to abuse and backstab others. As most people may be incapable of such harakiri in ways that are dramatic, plots are created and characters fit into them. As the show progresses it becomes devoid of content and originality and participants plasticity becomes evident. To hide this, even more dramatic elements, typical of daily SOPS, are used, driving out any tinge of reality.
So why do we find people scampering for these so called reality shows? It’s the same old reason :quick fame and money. Its apalling to note that the amount of s***t participants are willing to take to get selected. It was particularly shocking to see the amount of abuse and rudeness in auditions for a popular show which uses “Road” in its name. The interviewers on this show somehow believe that they have every right to abuse the auditioners. But one can understand their desperation in the light of the fact that they do not have anything creative or exciting to offer to its audience so use the tried and tested technique of creating controversy.
The only hope is that we realize these gimmicks and do not fall prey to them. There are a lot of better things to indulge yourself rather than judging your worth on the basis of how well you do in these useless shows.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
The Rise of the NEGATIVE
Negative has lent its meaning to mathematical operations, photographic films, Logic, Emotions and most importantly human character.
It’s the other side of numerous dualities we come across everywhere in life, a side traditionally undesirable but that define the positive. As modern times search for new meanings of itself, negative has finally emerged from the shadows. It has become an equal partner in its existence with its counterpart the Positive.
Television shows, cinema, popular culture, and personal or professional lives the Negative is everywhere. Gaining acceptance across the board, its fast becoming desirable. Gone are the times when display of negative traits of one’s personality espoused the feelings of hate. If such behavior justifies your self-interest, you can get away with anything under the sun. Infact an individual shying away from betrayal, back – stabbing and the like is labeled as a “Bewakoof” and incompetent and irritates the observer.
The conflict inbuilt into your everyday existence serves as a “convenient” context for justifying your “NEGATIVE” behavior to self and to others. And if you are successful in what you do and you have money as well, it becomes all the more easier for you to justify anything under the sun. The only thing you have to take care is that do whatever you do with élan and without any feelings of guilt.
This phenomenon is particularly observable among the youth with women openly using their womanhood to succeed. Men do not take a dim view of women who do this. Toughness in men has a new meaning with tough men being able to take crap and also give it back when required.
So is negative the new positive? While you search for answers, take out the bad man / woman in you and show it to the world with panache.