Well, a couple weeks ago I had to write an essay for my english class and I just recently got the graded paper back. An A+!!! I'm so happy! Also, I figured I may as well post it and see what you all think of it!

First of all, here's the prompt:

Write an essay in which you examine American culture and tastes by interpreting the significance of the popularity of Reality Television (RTV) programs. Which RTV programs does research suggest that Americans are drawn to? What elements of these programs make them so popular and why? Which characters embody American ideals, and which characters fit the stereotypes of members of "outgroups"? What might be the "moral" the writers/producers attempt to demonstrate, and how do they go about doing so? Also, by observing the commercials broadcasted during certain shows, determine who the target audience might be and why. And finally, what do you conclude regarding America's fascination with RTV, and what might this conclusion mean for the future of American television broadcasting?

And so, the essay. Just fyi, there were parenthetical references included, but I edited most of them to only the name of the person I cited or cut them out completely, so don't go criticizing my MLA! :

The Influence of Reality Television on the American Culture

            Ever since it first came into existence in the 1920’s, television has been an influence on humanity. Following the newspaper and the radio, it took its place as a boundless source of information, research, and, of course, entertainment. As the years passed television endured the same evolutionary changes as did anything in history. Shows of all genres aired and ended, but there has always been one thing that people want from television – entertainment. Soap-operas were the hit form of television entertainment for a long period, but within the past 20 years or so, that craze began to die down, and audiences started craving something fresh. One of the ways that television producers sought to satisfy their viewers’ desires was through the creation of a new genre of television shows that we now call reality television (RTV).

Although the exact term did not emerge until the early 2000’s, RTV has been around for many years and, from innocent if embarrassing moments like those in the early America’s Funniest Home Videos to the lying, back-stabbing, self-centered tension in the late Survivor, has taken a turn for the worst and is pulling viewers along with it. RTV is very influential to the U.S. in that, through a highly popular and addictive form of entertainment, it forms our thinking by providing distorted views, ideals, morals, and opinions, as well as a false sense of reality.

Research shows that viewers are indeed addicted to RTV. Professor Annette Hill states “Popular series such as American Idol… have attracted up to and over 50 per cent of the market share, which means more than half the population of television viewers tuned into these programs”. Also, RTV shows and the commercials aired during their screen time seem targeted toward persons from their teenage years to their late twenties who are still concerned about acceptance, how people view them, and where they should go in life. RTV, with the fame, money, and beauty depicted therein, appears to provide solutions to those concerns to a naïve viewer. That is one way that Americans are drawn to RTV, but there are many different facets that do so, and all in similar fashion to each other. Survivor, Fear Factor, American Gladiator, and Gauntlet are a few of these. With the reward of hundreds of thousands of dollars – or even a million – for completing the competition, contestants on these shows set out to prove their “worth” by lying, beating, and backstabbing their way to victory, all while ribbing and humiliating other contestants behind their back.

Why is this so entertaining to viewers? How can the humiliation of others be so amusing? For one thing, it is human nature to enjoy the downfall of people who try to prove they are better than us. Watching athletic and attractive men and women bite the dust or gross out during a competition makes us, the “average American,” feel good! That makes it entertaining. Secondly, when it comes to entertainment, no one wants to engage themselves in something that requires effort or brain-power, but rather something light and empty that doesn’t require a lot of concentration or thinking. In fact, the English word “amusement” is derived from the Latin ad muse, meaning “to stare stupidly,” which, more often than not, is what people do when watching television! This shows the mindset of America as a whole in their choice of diversion and it will not improve with the direction that modern television shows are moving.

            The moral quality of RTV shows is declining and so are America’s morals in general. Foul language, drugs, sex, violence – in the earlier days of television, such things were unheard of when it came to watching television, but as time went by the limits were stretched. Little by little, such things were allowed on screen. Some viewers liked it, others did not, and still others did not even notice. The change from the general cleanliness of early television to the filth of much of today’s was not sudden, but gradual, desensitizing America to immorality much like putting a lobster in a pot of cold water and lighting the fire under it – he doesn’t know he’s being cooked, because the temperature change is too gradual. Likewise, people weren’t aware of the way they were being influenced by the gradual decline of morality in RTV, or they simply chose to ignore it, and the process continues on into today’s society as Americans try to emulate the behaviors, actions, and lifestyles of RTV celebrities instead of analyzing the worth and consequences of such actions. “As Americans became more sexually open and violent in their behavior, television programs became more sexually explicit and violent as well… openness replaced modesty as a virtue, and independence was more important than privacy" (Balken). America’s ethics are crumbling and the more this happens, the worse RTV becomes. The portrayal of greed, pride, and the humiliation of others as normal and acceptable influences viewers to lower their standards; and if their standards are lowered RTV isn’t thrilling anymore. Therefore, we add more language, sex, and violence; and so it goes on, a vicious cycle.

Being extremely engaging and addictive, as well as visually stating the type of people we could and should be, RTV is very manipulative. “Over time, it reshapes you (and worse, your children), effectively warping your worldview past recognition by brute force, as it were” states Theodore Turnau. By watching these RTV shows, we see the people we want to be – strong, gorgeous, athletic, admired – and we, often subconsciously, emulate them. Therefore, if the shows we watch the most show the “real American” as a person who is greedy for money, so much that they will lie, turn their back on someone, or be unnecessarily verbally cruel, then people will invariably begin to adjust their lifestyles to suit. They don’t want to be the out-group. They want to fit in, they want to be idolized, and they want to be “real.” But is this – the RTV “American” – real?

            How many people do you know who live on a deserted island and live like a savage to survive, have spectacular houses built for them because they’re needy, engage in strange competitions, or drink pureed cow intestines – much of this for money – on a regular basis? RTV does not portray the “real America,” but rather humiliates others to make the viewer feel superior (Mills). The dictionary definition of “reality” is as follows:

1) Actual being or existence of any thing; truth; fact; in distinction from mere appearance.

2) Something intrinsically important, not merely matter of show. (Webster)

Such a definition is in complete contrast to RTV, which revolves completely around illusions and lies instead of truth and fact, while appearance and show is everything and the importance of morality is nothing. In an interview Mark Burnett, the producer of such popular RTV shows as The Apprentice and Survivor, claims that RTV shows with subjects like “looking for your father” should not be aired because they are “too serious.” They may be serious, but at least they apply to the word “reality.” He goes on to say that RTV shows should not be demeaning but rather “aspirational.” Well, if the abuse between contestants shown on his show Survivor is not considered demeaning, then who knows what is, and if all that America wishes to aspire to is making money with no thought of standards and morals, the merit of this country is at stake.

            Unless some course of action is taken to reduce the corruption of RTV, America will continue to be influenced to lower their moral standards and be like the “real Americans” on RTV shows. Without all of the lies, deceit, slander, abuse, humiliation, and immorality in general, RTV shows can be just as entertaining and satisfying, if not more so, such as was the case with earlier television shows like America’s Funniest Home Videos. If this is accomplished, perhaps the condition of America as a country will improve as we focus more on the bettering of our nation and ourselves in an ethical sense instead of a material sense. Quality is in the heart, not the appearance, and we should endeavor to prove it through such influential resources as RTV and other popular television shows.

Well, school's been interesting so far! On Monday (the first day) I had my College Writing class at 8 a.m. I thought I was going to be half asleep, but I found out by the time class started that I wasn't! I just hate the part of getting up that early! The class was boring that day since we just reviewed the syllabus, but it also "threw cold water in my face" in that I actually realized how much work the class will be. Lots of reading and six essays that I have to do lots of research for and, of course, write very well! But, even though it will be tough, I think the class will be lots of fun. I like to write, after all!

Being the first day, class was dismissed very early, so I went and chilled in the library for a while, then headed off to Spanish 102. The building the class would be in is being rebuilt, so the class is in one of those semi-permanent trailers! It's nice (for a trailer) and has air-conditioning and all that, but I still think it's funny! And, for some unknown reason, everytime I'm in that classroom I feel like it's summer. I can't understand why!!!
Anyway, it was ten minutes after the class start-time and there was still no instructor. Finally, someone came in and addressed the class in Spanish so I assumed it was the instructor, but then she said that she was not our instructor, but that our instructor had an emergency and would not be there for that class meeting. Instead, she passed out the class syllabus, reviewed it in brief with us, encouraged us to study up for the next class meeting, and dismissed us! That was a bummer.

After that I had hours until U.S. History, so Kirsty and I chilled and ate lunch, then continued to chill and be horribly bored. Then, once we got to class, an instructor came in and told us that our instructor was stuck in China!!! What on earth?! Two in a row! And he wouldn't be back 'til Thursday, meaning class on Wednesday was cancelled and we wouldn't see him until next Wednesday since Monday is a holiday. So once again, he handed out the syllabus and dismissed us. Twice I was excited about meeting my instructors and getting a feel for the class when they were unable to be there! Isn't that weird?

So, on Wednesday, things were a bit better, though still boring since classes never fully start on the first week of school. In English she reviewed the syllabus and gave a lecture, in Spanish our instructor apologized for missing Monday (she was in Mexico!) and reviewed the syllabus and requirements, and, of course, there was no History. So, after Spanish, I went home for lunch. Then I had a flute-ensemble rehearsal at 5 with YMO, went home for dinner, and then headed back to school for my gym class at 8, which was going to be short I knew because all we did the first day last semester was take roll and talk about safety and the basics of what we'd be doing, which is exactly what we did!

Hopefully next week will be a bit better. Now that I've gotten a glimpse of what kind of work I'll need to put into this semester, I can only hope I'll be able to keep up! But it will be fun!

First of all, isn't it amazing how life flies by? It feels like only yesterday when I typed my last post about starting my first semester at community college and now I'm typing one in review of how it went and what I thought about it! I know it's nothing new to say "time flies," but it's just so true and I can't help but say it again.

My first semester at college went extremely well! I think I've done well in deciding to finish my General Education at a community college before pursuing my major at another school. Thanks to all those who advised/encouraged me to do so and for the Lord in leading me to follow that advice! For one, it saves money (as everyone knows) and two, it's a little more relaxed. That made it easier to get accustomed to "real school."

That's one thing that people always ask me-- "After being homeschooled all your life, is college a "culture shock" for you?" I must admit that I wondered myself if it would be as I was about to take this new step in my life. Now that I've taken it, my answer is...

No!
I guess that since I've done other programs with "class settings" and since the American school-life is everywhere as you grow up, even though I wasn't actually a part of it, it wasn't a shock at all. And, once again, college is a little more laid-back than grade or high-school... you choose the classes, you choose the days, you can even choose when you want to attend or not! Of course, your grade can suffer due to your choices, but if you're responsible enough it's not a problem. It seems to me that high-school would be more stressful than college.

Anyways, overall each class went very well! I took Beginning Voice, Spanish I, Speech 100, Music Appreciation, Concert Band, and Gymnastics and, as far as I know until I get my report, I've gotten A's in all of them! I know for sure that I have an A in Speech, Music App., Concert Band, and Gym, though.

So, in summation... never once did I feel truly overwhelmed and I always was able to turn in my homework on time, except for once. That was in Spanish when, right as I went to turn it in, I realized that I hadn't completed it! For that I just turned it in at the next class and got partial credit.
As for being overwhelmed, the closest I came was when I had to pull one all-nighter when I took longer than I thought I would to revise a speech and put together some visual-aids for Speech class the next day. I also had a hard time writing my final speech and was nervous I wouldn't get it done on time, but I did. I felt I could've done better, but I knew I'd still get an A in the class so it didn't bother me. That was it!

Voice class was a breeze and I loved it. I wish I could take it again, but if I want to finish my G. E. I really can't have the luxury of "fun" classes from now on. Now that I'm accustomed to college it's work, work, work!!!

Spanish 1 was my hardest class, but I still had no real trouble with it. I hadn't taken Spanish in a couple of years, but once I got started it all came back really quickly. I was very soon amazed at how little I really knew, though! High School Spanish is a whole 'nother animal! Good grief, in two weeks we'd covered pretty much all I'd known, plus some! Now that it's over, I've learned SO much (no, I'm not fluent yet ) and am so excited to learn more! I love Spanish now and can't wait to move on to the next level in January! Spanish II, here I come!

Now for Speech... that was my least favorite class, but I still enjoyed it. I did not like my professor very much which, I think, is why I didn't like the class as much as I could have. He was highly unprofessional and often talked about/mentioned things that I didn't appreciate. He also didn't really teach much. I don't know how much there is to teach for publich speaking, but it seemed to me that I learned more through example, trial, and error more than from his lectures. But maybe that's how it's supposed to be... I don't know!

As for Music Appreciation, that was an online class. Come to think of it, it was the hardest class for me only because I'd forget about it! All of my other classes, being ones I had to attend, were impossible for me to forget about, but Music App., well... out of sight, out of mind, you might say! I had a couple of close calls when it came to posting my online comments ontime, but I did it. I would also forget about reading the book for a week at a time and would have to speed-read all of the chapters so I could post my comments ontime. That meant my comprehension wasn't always the best, but I'd pull it off. I could have sworn I would get a B at then end, but I got an A! That was a big highlight of the semester for me! But no way am I taking an online class ever again if I can avoid it... I'm a classroom person!

Concert Band is easy to sum up... fun!
Yep, it was fun. I didn't really practice for it; the only reason I really took it was so I wouldn't completely lose my playing skills. I like to play the flute, but it's never my top priority so if I don't take a class (or something along those lines), I'll set it aside and lose it. That's why I took it and wasn't concerned about practicing... I like to play and don't want to lose my ability, but I don't want it to take time from my higher priorities. Band was perfect for that! We had rehearsal every Tuesday night, which were always fun and laid-back while still being disciplined (yes, it's possible). We also had two concerts. I'm taking it again next semester -- my only "for fun" class. I justify taking it with the fact that all I have to do is attend each rehearsal and concert so it doesn't take to much time from my other classes (and, in the meantime, I get to play and keep up my skills! ). I still feel guilty to some degree in that I don't practice, though! Oh, well.

Lastly, there was Gym. I knew that that class would be a fun and easy one and I was right! After a couple of weeks I found that I could still do a round-off, two back-handsprings and, after I mustered up enough courage to try it, I threw a round-off, back tuck! Now, some of you are probably thinking "what the heck is all that?" That's okay... let's just say I can still do some cool backflips! And I only took one big spill, which was actually a really freaky "save." I was doing a back-tuck and didn't rotate and was about to land on my head, but I managed to rotate just enough to put my hands down and land on my chest, causing me to slide into a perfect "swan dive" on the mat!!! I think I gave all the girls watching a heart attack but (even though it scared me in the process) I thought it was fun! I won't try do it again, though!
Next semester coach said we'll be pulling out more equipment, like the bars and stuff, so I'm really excited! P.E. class shouldn't be so much fun, but for me it really is! I'm glad I have an excuse to take it again next semester! Now if only I could find such an excuse to take Voice again. Hmmm... any suggestions, anyone!

So yeah, that was my first semester at college. But that's not all that's been going on!

October was my 18th birthday, which means several things. Legally, I can now move out, get a credit card, and get married without parental consent, but I'm not interested in any of those! Lol, no way! But, I am happy for a few other reasons.

Most importantly, I now have my driver's license without having had to take driver's ed., which means cheaper insurance. I passed first try, too!
Also, I'm registered to vote, I don't have to lie about my age to get accounts online (such as I did for Facebook), and... *drumroll please*...

I DON'T HAVE TO WEAR A HELMET WHEN I RIDE A BIKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Call me crazy, but I've always hated having to wear a helmet! They're uncomfortable and they give you helmet-hair! Of course, I'll definately wear one if I ride on a main street, but mostly I'll choose not to if I'm not riding anywhere dangerous.

Oh, and my dear cousin Ana also pointed out that I can now go in a jacuzzi without adult supervision. Oooh, yeah!

Hmm... what else has been going on in life? Work... well, that's just about the same. Selling tickets day after day, making minimum wage... it's a love/hate kind of thing. I think I'll work somewhere else come next summer. We'll see!

Well, that covers pretty much everything! Oh, next semester I'll be taking College Writing, U.S. History, Spanish II, Concert Band, and Gymnastics. As for right now, I'm just glad that this semester's over and that Christmas is almost here! It's really snuck up on me this year, with life being so busy and all, but I think I'll appreciate it more than ever!

I'll try to post again before next semester, which shouldn't be too hard since I don't have school and (hopefully) I'll be doing some fun stuff during the next few weeks! Until then, God bless you all!