An Illusion ?

Entertainment is exactly what it is, entertainment; yet, for most Americans our entertainment creates a false sense of security as to “who” we really are and “of what” we are really capable.

Some of our television shows are just for fun and are just fun to watch, like:

• American Idol
• Dancing with the Stars
• Survivor
• The Amazing Race
• Desperate Housewives
• Two and a Half Men

I am sure there are many others but these are the ones that come to the surface of my thoughts.  The viewer understands the competitive illusion that the producers and sponsors are trying to create.

However, some of our television shows create a serious false sense of security and protection and that illusion can and is dangerous to Americans who cannot separate “fact” from “fiction;”  especially when, on the coattails of these shows, our modern day “gladiator” competitions are aired, like professional, college, and high school sports competitions, resulting in a winner/loser mentality.  And, the ratings bear out the fact that this is what the public has grown accustomed to and WANTS to see!

Our mind takes us on a glorious journey that we, for the most part, perceive we can create or in some cases, have the unwarranted expectation that we deserve.  This expectation is due to what our “brainwashing” has caused us to believe and perceive as the truth.  In fact, in most of the television shows and movies that are being aired or released to the public show the protagonist(s) as always winning no matter what the odds stacked up against them. 

Since many of us cannot separate fact from fiction, we perceive these outcomes as real and truthful, laying down a sense of false expectations in our minds and provide us with a sense of incredulity when life does not work out like it does on television or on the silver screen. 

I mean, when you watch NCIS, the Mentalist, White Collar, Criminal Minds, Law and Order, Castle, or Blue Blood, the “bad guy(s)” are always apprehended, put behind bars, or found guilty. 

 

T. Cruise in Ghost Protocol

And, no matter what kind of fire power the other side has, our actions heroes, Chuck Norris, Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jean Claude Van Damme, Stephen Seagal, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Bruce Lee, Clint Eastwood, Matt Damon, and Tom Cruise, always win, survive, or undercover the truth.

Since these action heroes are so great, then we should send them to Afghanistan or maybe to Pakistan.  Oooops, we did send them to Pakistan....  so, maybe this is not an illusion but really what it is to be an American.

Navy Seal Team 6