American Idle

So what's with all the reality shows? I know American Idol just finished and there is a new reality singing show called Duets coming out. There are enough reality cooking shows to feed a country with their meals. And if all the house repair shows focused on one city, like New Orleans, it would be totally renovated in a week of prime time. So why is there this desire to watch reality when we live it every day?

The Roman emperors were right. Give people bread and "the circus" and they will be fine. In the latter stages of the crumbling Roman Empire they used the games to blind the people to what was happening in politics, the city and in their empire. It was coming apart at the seams. The once mighty empire was corrupt, fat and happy living off it's successes. Yet people flocked to the Colosseum and the Circus Maximus to see competitions and entertainment. Instead of rebuilding the discipline that made them the most powerful empire in the world, they lounged and watched others do the work.

We are quickly becoming a country where we watch others do the work we don't want to do ourselves. I'm not saying we don't work hard. Many of my friends work 60 or more hours a week at their jobs. But the hard work of creating a legacy for our lives, of helping others build a community, of building a country that is the standard bearer in education, innovation and caring for it's citizens lies outside of our work-a-day world. That's where greatness is built. When we finish the work of the day and then use our time to work on our own lives, or the lives of others. But it's easier to watch others do it because we claim that we are too tired at the end of the day.

Studies have shown that when we volunteer, or just help a friend we are happier and healthier. Our well-being increases and it's not just for that moment. So the excuse of being too tired really doesn't fly. All of us could find even 20 minutes to work on our future well-being, our family, or our community. The results over time will be amazing.

As I write this I'm aware that I'm writing for myself. I used to volunteer in many organizations and help out at church. All of that slipped away and now I console myself by writing checks. Not the same thing! But I also still marvel at what a passive society we've become.

No one individual and no society has achieved anything by sitting and watching others (except to get a flabby butt). There are times to watch and admire the great things others can do. Then it's time to get off the couch.