Reality TV Killed the American Dream

In our discussion of Macherey, as well as Jenks, we discussed the concept of originality in the era of the millennial generation. Additionally we discussed the post-modern motif of “bigger, faster, newer” and how this need for speed shapes our society. I briefly mentioned an idea of the “accelerated American dream” and how our generation’s creation of “original” reality television has perpetuated this concept. While reality television did not begin with American Idol, the creation of the FOX show started a reality television movement that has completely saturated current television and media. From Survivor and American Ninja Warrior to So You Think You Can Dance and The Voice, the current television fad is competitions culminating with large cash prizes. This sped up version of the Cinderella story, rags to riches per say, is a primary example of how our society is now striving for the accelerated American dream. Young adults would rather seek fame and fortune through a viral YouTube channel than settle down and find a 9 to 5 stable job. Our society is so drenched in the life of grandeur and “anything is possible,” that the goal is not just stability and happiness, but reiterating the sense of bigger and better. Why have a job that pays consistently for a mid-size sedan car payment when you could audition for America’s Next Top Model and win a brand new car with the prize money? This idea of an accelerated American dream is not only unrealistic, but also harmful to the millennium society, as it creates an atmosphere of apathy towards striving for better, as so much of these reality competitions highlight chance and luck rather than hard work. While the accelerated American dream can be extremely appealing and grandeur, the dream is only that – the dream is unrealistic, unsustainable, and completely random.