Our society puts an extremely strong emphasis on competition. Competition is seen in sports, education, and in reality tv. One example of reality tv that emphasizes competition that is most similar to “The Hunger Games” is American Idol. American Idol has been airing for as long as I can remember. The contestants are picked from all around the United States. The producers of American Idol air the most horrendous contestants, the most talented contestants, and the contestants that have the most touching story of how they became singers to gain empathy from the viewers. The ones who perform the best, are the most attractive, or the ones that have a story to attach the viewers with gain votes from the viewers. This is similar to “The Hunger Games” when the tributes would receive gifts that were needed for their survival. The contestants of American Idol and the tributes of the Games are treated the same way; they are dressed up and made a spectacle of, they are eliminated, and their future depends on their likability. Once the winner is the last one in the competition, they are made into a hero. People look to them as an idol, and they receive an incredible amount of money. The tribute that wins the Games receives food for the rest of their lives. They no longer have to worry about getting by. The only difference, the most important difference, is that American Idol is by choice, unlike the Games which are mandatory.
I blogged about this topic as well. I thought it was so interesting that shows that are completely different actually contain the same aspects. I also think that our society revolves around competition even if we are directly involved.
ReplyDeleteI also think it's true that competition is the fuel for most of the discord within our country. I think it is safe to say that competition on such a low level scale as beating another person in a competition is largely useless in our society any longer. We no longer need to compete in order to survive. In order to fulfill our desires, certainly. But to have a job in which no education is needed and one need not outshine the rest of his or her employees is not longer a necessary part of our lives, as much as it may seem. Unfortunately, the media still plays to this because they know that it is one of the values of our society, and as humans as a whole.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with you, we are competitive and it is who is the most likeable who usually wins any sort of competitive game. I also agree with you on your comparison of American Idol and The Hunger Games, I can see the many similarities between the two. Maybe it is not some much you have to win the game, as it is that you have to win the crowd. In both cases if you win the crowd over you have a better chance of winning, which is probably true of many other competitive games and sports.
ReplyDeleteI never would of thought about the similarities between Hunger Games and American Idol. I find it really interesting. You're right the contestants on American Idol have a choice unlike the characters in Hunger games. There's also one winner in the end. Gaining votes to me is like in the Hunger games when they gain sponsors. You want people to be on your side and want you to go all the way. Most of the times it takes visuals or a gimmick to get there.
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