what is reality?

i have a confession- i like reality tv....i do....there i said it....i know that makes me kinda lame- but well there is something that i enjoy about it, can't for sure tell you what that is...but i enjoy it from time to time....

so last night i settled in to watch a little tv and just vegg some more. the day was a 'blank stare' day so i knew not to expect too much of myself. so i settled in and turned on the tub- hit my dvr button and prepared to watch 'the scholar' and feel dumber then dumb....i mean come on those kids know stuff that i am sure was never taught when i was in high school...or maybe i was asleep in that class....at anyrate these kids have brains that i can only dream of having....yet as i sat and watched the last show of the series i found myself a little shocked by what i heard them saying. over the last few weeks they have had team challenges and 'captain quizes' that have tested not only their brain smarts but their heart smarts, their integrity....they were used to test the 'value' of each student. so last night as i watch it hits me- these kids are stressin over winning because it means a full ride to the college of their choice. when you listen to them talk you see that their identity is in if they win or not...and if they have lost already they talk so down on themselves.....so this is my question- have we gone to far? is it insane to be asking high school graduates to go on national television and compete for a full ride scholarship...to be known as 'the scholar'? i mean come on- you should have heard them talk about themselves and thier team mates. you should have heard the 'scholarship commitee' talk about these students like they were statistics to be measured into socitey...why is there so much pressure on students to be the best, the brightest, star athlete....when did it become nolonger acceptable to just be a high school student enjoying school and doing their best? when did the desire to be come the top inch out the students who have lots going for them but may not score perfect on the sat? just where is our society taking education? who decided what a 'top' student looked like?

so as i watched the show last night (fastforwarding through the comercials-thank goodness for DVR) i see a glimpse of the newest reality tvshow to hit the tube...brat camp....hummm i can't go there...i won't be watching this one.....we have finally gone to far.....we have gone from having the 'top' compete for who is the best....the toppest of tops....and now we have children who are struggling in life....who are challenged and hunted by thoughts and expeinces of life...and we have put them on national television and called it of all things 'brat camp'- these are children- the very beloved children of God- who need help- who society has called out....so here they are....down....out....and on national television for our viewing pleasure....you know what....the hurts of the world are reality....the war in iraq is reality......families not able to afford education is reality....people who struggle that is reality.....but when do we say enough is enough and pull the plug on societies desire to watch the lives of others so they can say 'well atleast that isn't me' or 'i am better then that'......so i guess i have to rethink somethings.....i like reality tv..i love survivor, amazing race, hells kitchen, and was intrested in what took place on the scholar....but brat camp is too much too far too real....

humm well back to my reality of work and more work......
happy trails!