Tag Archives: cyberspace

Reality Blurred

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What is reality?

It is no secret we have become obsessed with celebrity culture. The more than a decade anniversary of Princess Dianna’s death reminds of this in no uncertain terms.

Ratchet that up a notch? Try reality TV. Where we put “real” people, in front of the camera, to be consumed by the masses. It’s a great profit for broadcast…much lower overhead than scripted tv, etc. But is it dangerous, healthy, or good TV? I think the answer is yes, yes, yes! Sometimes, more of one than the other, but…

And I am not preaching here…I am a huge fan of some of these shows. And am meh, about many others.

My favorites over the years ~ MTV’s pioneer series: The Real World (ha ha!), Rockstar, The Hills, Rock of Love, Project Runway… There have been others…but those are the ones I still watch! (new / old). Arguablly the most popular over the years have been Survivor, Amazing Race, Big Brother, American Idol. I have watched the latter 3 some, and recognize their success. Remember some of the others: The Bachelor, Joe Millionaire, The Osbournes, The Newlyweds(lmao, didn’t work out so well after, eh!?), Road Rules, etc, etc.

All of these things have created a new kind of celebrity. Talented or not. What it has also born, is a new type of fan. Or maybe it is a new level of fanaticism. Again, not counting myself out here. If anything, being a fan of some of these folks, I think it gives me unique insights…And I am nothing if not critical of myself! Know when thyself is crazy, ya know?

So anyway, to my point…and yes, I do have one!

What has this new “reality” done to us? It seems, in some cases is has let these “real” people right into our living rooms. I think the TV star(scripted) has always inserted itself more deeply into our consciousness than the fabulousness of the movie stars…that seem just out of reach. But, it would seem that these “real” people bring us in, just a bit closer, no?

We learn all about their lives. Their foibles, their fears, their inner demons, their dramaramas… We see what we think is their “true” character, revealed to us on these series. And for the truly enamored, read: somewhat obsessed(again, include me right here!), there is an element that pushes all of this one step further… Cyberspace! So, take the equation: “real” people + edited for entertainment drama only + fans that read and post about your every move…what does that equal?

It equals a hyper “reality” . But is any of this real? Take one of my favorite shows in the aforementioned: Rockstar. I loved that show. It is so accessible in my opinion. Rock music. Hot musicians. Colorful, fast, spectacular. (We won’t lament here that they have not renewed it for a third season–wahh!). But it wasn’t just music. It included, in addition to live performances… a peek into the weekly trials of the competition, “back at the mansion”. Great, great TV. And they had great material. The first season’s winner, featured that too cute bad boy: JD Fortune from Canada. The second season, the skunk hair faux hawked Lukas Rossi, also from the North, eh. Add in the bunch: other would be rockstars, all tattooed, fighting over songs, calling each other out, saying one wanted it more than the others, others thinking they were better singers, and weekly excessive voting by the viewing masses… Freaking good TV.

Anyways, what goes with this, is that we think we know these guys. There are sites all over the internet on all these shows…dissing various people/contestants (on the competitive shows), lamenting their choices, and in many cases, carrying on into the post show. Folks send them gifts, etc. Fans meet these “real” people, and ask them questions about their personal lives. Judgments are made, movements are tracked. What was once saved for stalking the celebrities is now, the obsession, with these “real” people, as if we know them and are friends with them.

It is crazy. Fun crazy sometimes, but crazy nonetheless. Now, don’t get me wrong, I have met, so many fabulous people, being part of a fan community. I have enjoyed live concerts with folks that know how to party like nobody’s business! And yes, I have met some of these “real” people, from the TV! It has been a great ride, I will not diminish that.

But…but, it is so strange! That I know, who someone is dating(or doing, lol) when it is not public knowledge(read not in any tabloids), have corresponded with folks about some would say scandalous goings on behind the scenes. It is weird, when I see live, in front of my very eyes, folks acting as if they are ‘owed’ something from these “real” people, because they have supported them, because they know their birthdays, because they gave them gifts, because they paid alot of money…because they show off their boobies……………………….

When you see folks practically throwing down to scratch and claw their way to look into the eyes of these people that were introduced to them, or reintroduced to them via this medium, of reality tv…it is so strange. When folks use cyberspace to promote their cracked agendas, and their alternate realities about these “reality” tv personalities… It’s as if, we, the people, the fans, forget, these people are REAL.

They are not a “character”. They are simply human beings, that sure, have used TV to further themselves. But, that does not make them my best friend, and it does not make them need to tell you how their mom or dog is. They are not our friends, they are not our family. They are actors, doctors, singers, etc, that came to us, presenting a condensed version of themselves, that was then edited to a “reality” story, that producers wanted to show us. That is not “real” …that is TV.

Blurry, isn’t it? That’s life…that’s, “reality”.

For what more drama these “real” folks can blur themselves into obsession with, read: http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/

The shows, are getting more freaky! And I hate to say it, but maybe, so are we!

Don’t Fuck with my Mellow – Rant #2

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So, what kinds of things are sticking in my craw right about now?!?!?!

LOL…eh, so much to choose from.

First, this is my place, so I can talk about whatever the fuck I want, so I will…if you don’t like it, you can just click away to another place…good, we understand eachother, xoxo ;)

That same consideration I give to everyone….you have your own myspace, blog, whatever, you do whatever you want…it is yours. I won’t tell you what you can do with it, if you should, shouldn’t moderate it, track it, delete it, make it private, whatever…it’s all yours baby.

Me, well most all of that shit, is too much trouble. Can I have a tracker…hell yeah! Do I? Well that’s my business! Lol…But honestly, all that stuff is more trouble than its worth mostly…What it does teach you, is that there is little to no way, that anyone is truly anonymous. I am not, I don’t really ever try to be.

But, I also hold no illusions.

Do any of us really? If I really want to know you are you, well some of us will meet, some of us not. For those of us that don’t there is a giant leap of faith we take. In the end, though, it matters not.

Cyberspace is a wonderful, crazy, dangerous, exciting, amazing place. We get to chatter w/folks from around the world, from all walks of life. Doesn’t matter if you are famous, or exceedingly common, or even DULL! Of course, folks will impersonate and represent themselves alternately through this medium. This is part of the ultimate craziness.

Do I really care about this? Not really. Do I ever pretend to be other than myself out there? Sure, it is fun. Do I care if you do? Not really. Do I care if you share space with someone and say you are them, and them you? Oy! Tres confusing. But your thing , not mine! Some call this cyber fraud. Whatever. If you are a frog, and pretend to be Prince, lol…well, at least use a nice picture! If you are a goddess and pretend to be an Adonis……..well…uhmmm, you have your own issues! If you are a real person, and are portraying an inanimate object……..just play it REALLY still. Just sayin;)

OK, then….

So what else is there…well, I have been privy to….alot of interesting information recently…..about all sorts of folks………eh, it’s entertaining…but then so is E! News, and People magazine.

Reality, I don’t necessarily care who is fucking who, who is impersonating who, who is cheating on who, etc, etc…………..but….but it is funny to hear about, sometimes. I find it amusing, really, those that get overly caught up in it………..that want to have a say, in say, some famous person fucking someone else. Uhmmm, lol, if it is not me they are fucking, then it probably doesn’t matter what I really think about it……….unless one of the 2 parties is calling to ask my advice, lol….and so far, that only happens w/the closest of close friends, lol……..

You know, if any artist, singer, dancer, movie star, decides to date the funniest looking person ever………..with the most disgusting job ever……..whatever…..how they are both having a good time. Not my issue…just sayin….that said, I might find it amusing if you tell me about it…but it does not effect my state of mind…..though sometimes other peoples craziness…lets face it…….helps make us all feel a little more sane. That is why the Enquirer, has such high circulation……….That and the space aliens……

Ok, now …let me not beat too far around the bush…………..I have been reading all over the internet recently, a few people that are all BENT over a few chicas that are all up in their Boytoy’s interests……….SHOCK! lol….quells……..

Peeps…this is not new!!!! Girls DO THIS. Lol…I mean, seriously! I have talked to lots of significant others of folks in the music industry this last year……….they are, mostly all cool people….I do not know them, but they have all been polite…whether I have met them face to face or chatted w/them via email through some research I was doing on said artist.

I have talked to family members, band members….all cool peeps. SO’s are just an extension of this. Many have been very active on their mates sites, message boards, etc….some are artists or musicians themselves……..others, are just there, doing whatever for their Man or Woman, as it were…. It’s all good peeps.

And big FAT evs to any of you that give a rats ass about anyone that has impersonated anyone. That’s right… WHO THE FUCK CARES?!?!?!?… most of the folks I have met in person, are cool. What goes on in cyberspace…it is just crazy as I said above. I really hold no expectations of it.

I am all for promotion of artists and their respective talents. Let’s do what we can. I am also all about amusement and fun…………….. tell me shit, I will lmao w/you…. Snark about someone’s hair, yeah baby, you know I am there… tell ME ALL ABOUT how they sang song after song to YOU looking into your eyes the whole time, BWAH… it’s all good.

The rest, if you are just about this land of cyber, to complain, or yank my chain about your agenda……..well, I might listen, or I might tell you to fuck off. That is MY prerogative.

Love Baby Love. Don’t fuck with my mellow.

Doubles for EVERYONE!

Ems