I wanted to expound a little about something I tweeted on earlier this morning. I’m referring specifically to this. Normally I’m blissfully unaware of such trifling things, but this particular morsel was thrust into my periphery by Mr. Jerry Holkins (Tycho, if you’re nasty) over at Penny Arcade.

Now, just to put this out on front street, I hate reality television. Hate it. Period. The fact I can even say that is something of a personal miracle as there are very few things that stir in me the tempest of rage and raw emotions reminiscent of more youthful days. I’ve found the churning crucible that once composed the core of being, slowing, cooling in ferocity inversely proportional to the increase in my age. I briefly entertained the idea that maybe I’m just not an asshole anymore. But, I think I know better.

Getting back on topic, personally I don’t find the value in what this entire gorram country can’t help but steadily funnel into their gullets; in some cases – witnessed empirically – beyond all volition and reason. Night after night, on virtually every channel, the minds of my friends and neighbors are inextricably drawn into the event horizon of this reality black hole.

Up until this point, I’ve been able to keep my distance, watching those around me succumb to reality television’s siren song, but now it’s treading much too close to home. They’ve brought the battle to my doorstep and I can’t sit idly by. Ok, maybe this is starting to border on the hyperbolic, but it can’t be a good sign when they are creating reality television programs about nerds, for nerds, on a digital media delivery service available to Playstation 3 owners.

Even as inherently ridiculous as this idea sounds, it is no more or less ridiculous than every other reality TV show ever; meaning tons of money (and congratulatory handjobs) will no doubt be exchanged. As someone who does everything within his limited power to avoid watching television, I suppose I shouldn’t be overly concerned. Thanks to the advent of mediums such as OnDemand, Netflix, and Hulu I don’t really need to watch television. I can filter the shows I want to watch when I want to watch them.

As the years have passed by, since the inception of reality television dating back to shows such as The Real World and Survivor, I’ve had to question more and more “what is entertainment”? Is watching purportedly unscripted situations in typically bizarre or exotic locations cast with drooling morons such as you and me truly entertaining? If the invisible hand of the market is any indicator, the answer is a resounding and deafening “yes”.

Peace.