Why are people making such a fuss about petty squabbles in the Big Brother house?

Question

Has the media forgotten about real issues like the impending bird flu pandemic or nuclear brinkmanship being played in North Korea and Iran ?

Answer 1

that and the real world...thinking they are like all that being on tv..

Answer 2

I think it has become such a big issue because it a s terrifying window into what is actually happening every day across the country. Low level, bigoted, racist comments muttered behind peoples backs, bullying and so on. It is the fact that it is concentrated and broadcast into our homes that makes it seem such a big deal and has caused so many complaints.
Take another form of bullying, imagine a reality TV show where a gang of 15 year olds ganged up on a 14 year old and spent two weeks mercilessly bullying them, mocking their clothes, their hairstyle, maybe even a bit of pushing a shoving. Nothing too outrageous, just normal playground victimisation. Then imagine that the TV channel lets this bullying happen, they just stand back and issue statements saying things like "We had reviewed the tapes and do not believe that there is bullying going on. Some of the housemates have taken a dislike to XXXX but this is normal for a group of people in a room." I bet there would be complaints. Then I also bet there would be people saying 'what is all the fuss about, it is not news worthy!'
Whilst the original question and other people are right to be skeptical about how 'newsworthy' this is, it is worth understanding how all media is used to socially construct public opinions. In fact the original question makes reference to Bird flu pandemics, and North Korea and Iran playing nuclear brinkmanship with the west, well those fears and opinions are formulated for you by the media to make you respond to perceived threats and create an existantial climate of fear. Noam Chomsky wrote a book called "Manufacturing consent" that I suggets people read to see how the media really works...

Answer 3

Because the average person doesn't care about nuclear brinkmanship or global warming or any of that stuff. Its all too boooooring.

Heat magazine, the latest fad diet, Corronation Street, BB, f****** celebrities - its all part of people essentially wasting their lives away in the most pointless fashion possible.

I can't be the only person who couldn't give a flying toss about which celebrity has a new dress, or wrinkles, or whatever, can I?

Answer 4

The truth is that most of the people who are complaining to Ofcom about racist bullying wouldn't intervene to stop an Indian person being beaten up outside their house. The Big Brother uproar is a safe, anonymous way for people to feel smugly righteous about themselves while not actually affecting racism in the real world.

Answer 5

Because even news has to sell and the bird flu or nuclear line has been given so often the pressure is there to have something fresh to send sales/viewing (but mostly sales) up again. Apparent racism on public broadcasting will sell papers, unfortunately more so than Kim Il syong.

Answer 6

availability of easy targets ( IE ill bred moronic halfwits) provides cannon fodder for lazy, slovenly media desperate to chop down 'celebrities' they have previously raised on a pedestal.

media has not forgotten more important issues, it's just easier to write about this sort of tat, and, let's be honest, the majority of the 'Great' British public are just as lazy, unthinking and just as much to blame in the way they soak it up and demand more. See for example current nonsense of the 30,000 complaints to ofcom. The money blown on telephone calls to ofcom and directory services could just as easily have been spent on anti-racist charities

Answer 7

I am so shocked that people watch these reality shows. How can watching someone. cook, clean and squabble with their loved ones/roommates be any different then real life. We don't need to watch the idiot box to get a dose of reality. It just goes to show you that people are willing to sell out and have no morality.

Answer 8

Reality tv has gotten outta control. We are all so faulted that we get off on the wrong doings of others. In turn, we can justify and believe that we are superior. T.V. has gotten sad... yet its like driving by a bad car accident and I can't look away... I like to watch and in turn admit, I am part of the demise of society. I can't look away... you can't either. You still love it. We all do. **** being politically correct. It's about time we start being real.

Answer 9

A very valid question!
I think it is utterly disgusting that the BBC news put this item ahead of news about the deathe of British servicemen in Afganistan.
Just shows you what has happened to values in this once great country.
What sort of perverts hold sway at the BBC???

Answer 10

well said. Funny how it all pails into insignificance when the race card is pulled. What a crock of s&**! Does BB now stand for Big-otted Brother?

Answer 11

specifically while somebody is extreme strung, definite, get a petty argumentation over a 25 centavo distinction in jeepney fare. no longer me. I purely get raged while somebody ruin a line in Bus and practice Loading areas. only one greater tick and that i might snap and that i will kick a ....... oh forget approximately it my temper is going with my demanding roster