October 25, 2012
But in their outrage at any depiction of sex or drugs, regardless of context, groups like the PTC miss the truly worrisome difference between the network's scripted and unscripted series. Skins took young people and their problems seriously, while Jersey Shore positions its cast members as empty-headed clowns. In yet another of so-called reality TV's many ironies, MTV's alarmingly unrealistic reality programming has so fully imposed its hard-partying, fist-pumping, ambition-free vision of youth that it's turned its entire audience away from more universal teen and young-adult narratives of self-discovery. After years of watching famous-for-being-famous alcoholics fight and hook up outside the context of any significant storylines or stakes, MTV's viewers seem to have become unreceptive to multilayered characters whose struggles bear more resemblance to their own.
This youth-culture identity crisis has, of course, been a long time coming. It's just taken MTV's renewed enthusiasm for scripted series to reveal the extent to which an endless supply of exploitative reality programming has shaped its audience's tastes.
A parent/spouse/best friend has forgotten your birthday.Facebook makes this one a little complicated since it is basically a well-oiled birthday alert system, but if your parents (or spouse, or significant other, etc) have yet to sign their names away to the lovely blue book, they will most likely forget your birthday at some point. It’s not a “16 Candles” big deal. It happens, and they’re not doing it maliciously (probably). Here’s an example of how the conversation might go. Parent: “What day is your birthday?” You: “Today.” Parent: “It’s the 28th already?” You: “It’s the 26th.” Maybe they’re getting older and things occasionally slip their minds, or maybe you’ve grown up and aren’t CONSTANTLY REMINDING EVERYONE that your big day is forthcoming. Either way, someone forgot, you got over it, and you’re excited to see who drops the ball next year. Boom: adulthood.
Today's Photo:
Clockwise from Top Left:
A) Red Hook trivia awards for staff
B) Motivational cheer cards made by the JV badminton team.
C) Singles ribbons for the badminton tournament.
