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Essay / The impact of reality TV: the effects of...
The entertainment industry advocates dangerous behavior in order to attract public attention. It also gives society a false sense of security. In Reality TV: Remaking Television Culture by Susan Murray, she writes about her observations of different reality TV shows and how they affect society. “The Connection, who allegedly uncovered a drug smuggling operation from Colombia, but who, according to the London Guardian, faked various scenes” (Murray 83). Murray shows how reality TV isn't reality at all. They contradict what they are called and create clips to use in order to make their shows more interesting for the audience. This industry focuses more on their personal profit and not on how their products affect society. “…[T]he media industry…seeks to understand the emotional underpinnings of consumer decision-making as the driving force behind viewing and purchasing decisions” (Murray 345). By focusing on how to attract viewers, they neglect how their show can affect the people who watch it, particularly the effect on the impressionable minds of children. This is why parents should be more careful about what their children are exposed to. Reality TV series also provide insight into what people like and don't like. Knowing their preferences allows them to sell products that support