Demographic Alienation
Had an interesting conversation with a friend today. Somehow, we got to talking about saving verses spending, especially when it comes to interest-bearing debt. A few recent readings came to mind, Jeff Yeager's The Cheapskate Next Door and The Ultimate Cheapskate's Road Map to True Riches: A Practical (and Fun) Guide to Enjoying Life More by Spending Less. I caught him at the local bookstore pushing his latest. I have to give him credit; he's making the book tour on bicycle. The Wife is also now working her way through The Scavenger's Manifesto.
Suddenly, it hit me; Cheap Shots, the next big reality show that follows cheap people. Freegans, Dumpster Divers, Scavengers -- anyone who can live well on very little by eschewing the Consume Now! message blaring at everyone all the time.
Just as suddenly, I realized why no show could ever be produced; no one would sponsor it. Really, now, if you had advertising dollars to spend, would you pick a show, no matter how popular, that attracted the kind of viewers least likely to spend money on your products or services?!?
My friend didn't think the matter was so open-and-shut. After all, most reality shows use creative editing, music and juxtaposition to create conflict and drama that people on set during the shoot didn't necessarily experience themselves. Therefore, a producer could easily shoot the cheap to look like social pariahs. I countered that, were the production actually worth watching, that producers would scour the country looking for people that weren't socially awkward on camera, but still very happy in their lifestyle.
I'm curious: What do you folks think? Would a reality show following people who deliberately spend very little money and yet lead great lives be worth watching? By that reasoning, could it be produced? Comment away!
Suddenly, it hit me; Cheap Shots, the next big reality show that follows cheap people. Freegans, Dumpster Divers, Scavengers -- anyone who can live well on very little by eschewing the Consume Now! message blaring at everyone all the time.
Just as suddenly, I realized why no show could ever be produced; no one would sponsor it. Really, now, if you had advertising dollars to spend, would you pick a show, no matter how popular, that attracted the kind of viewers least likely to spend money on your products or services?!?
My friend didn't think the matter was so open-and-shut. After all, most reality shows use creative editing, music and juxtaposition to create conflict and drama that people on set during the shoot didn't necessarily experience themselves. Therefore, a producer could easily shoot the cheap to look like social pariahs. I countered that, were the production actually worth watching, that producers would scour the country looking for people that weren't socially awkward on camera, but still very happy in their lifestyle.
I'm curious: What do you folks think? Would a reality show following people who deliberately spend very little money and yet lead great lives be worth watching? By that reasoning, could it be produced? Comment away!