Reality vs. goodness
July 18, 2005
By Cam Tait
A few summers ago all the rage was a new thing called reality television. What started from, really, an extended version of Trivial Pursuit turned into dropping a bunch of strangers off in the middle of some remote and exotic island - except, of course, for the producers, sound people, camera people, and equipment crew. Contestants were left to fend for themselves. Then, we had a group of complete strangers set in a house with no communication with the outside world, trying to get along. But really attempting to be the last one left in the house. Next for networks was the same idea set in New York on Wall Street. And then we had people racing around the world to see who would fall, collapse or crawl over the finish line first.
There's always a carrot dangling in front of the participants: a cool one million dollars for the winner. But through all the action, all the drama, all the scenic beauty around the globe, there's one common element: people talking behind each other's backs. There's backstabbing and lying and all kinds of disloyalty. While it may be good for television audiences, it sadly underscores a characteristic of our society: finding the flaws in people. There isn't any real sign of teamwork, other than a superficial bunch working together, say, to get through a scavenger hunt in the middle of a snake-infested jungle. In the end, it's all about one person.
It would be interesting if television producers ever had the notion of taping all the goodness there is in people. Rather than hearing trash-talking individuals who, for the most part, are only in it for their (rather large) financial gain, talk to people whose lives changed thanks to the kindness of others. Set a camera crew up in front of a Salvation Army soup kitchen and talk to people who haven't had a decent meal for several days. Or, have a crew go down to a women's shelter where the stories are of unthinkable horror, and talk to a woman who rescued herself and her children from a terrible situation, and now, with the help of others, is starting over again.
Better yet, why not follow a few life-long volunteers on their weekly rounds - to the seniors home, to the day programs, driving people to and from hospital appointments, or...well, you get where I'm heading here. Oh sure, there would be some bumps in the road, and some minor quibbles. After all, we're all human. Yet, chances are there might not be the backstabbing and name-calling we see in reality television. It's true that in-fighting and cat calling might bring in more viewers, but what type of behaviour are we promoting? That's a discussion for those who have a lot more letters after their name than I ever will.
It's an uphill battle, this packaging and highlighting good news. Numbers speak loudly - too loudly for me - in support of reality television. People supposedly aren't drawn toward the eventual winner of the contest. It's the sub-plots created by characters of the game and the twisted webs of conflict they create against one another that garner a larger audience.
I can only imagine what would happen if a charitable cause was chronicled, from the donors, to the staff, to the clients. It might be a welcomed change from this barrage of negativity and finger pointing we get on a regular basis. It would also celebrate the true goodness in people.
Networks should give this a whirl. Because there isn't any backstabbing or name-calling in the nonprofit sector. Is there?
Cam Tait is a sports reporter and columnist for the Edmonton Journal. He covered community investments and volunteers for 19 years. E-mail Cam at cam@charityvillage.com with thoughts, suggestions or ideas.
Opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of CharityVillage.com®.
