Facing Reality: How Images In Media Impact Society

By Jamin D. Allgood

The news, reality TV, social networks; what do they all have in common? Not only are they sources of information but they are also forms of media that impact society and public perception. These days a lot of information is driven by celebrity culture, and reality TV has a become a driving force behind the appeal for audiences to experience and interact with it.

Reality TV as a wave of entertainment has given way to the rise of a new mode for fortune and fame. Today, reality TV berths just as many celebrities as any other genre of entertainment. Many of those celebrities go on to gain universal recognition and accumulate followings that can transcend to other platforms and entertainment outlets. The process of adjoining television and reality also carries an effect of normalizing certain images such as, people, places, and lifestyle. This is how images have the potential to impact society and social development.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Nov 25, 2022
• ISBN: 9781667875422

Book preview

Introduction

This book is intended to provide an analysis and reactions about how certain images that are proliferated through media and pop-culture, overwhelmingly influence public perception. The power of media not only informs a society, but it also can instruct society and help shape social construction. One form of media that has an enormous impact on how perception and messages are conveyed is television, particularly reality TV. Tremendous ratings on certain reality TV shows have proven that even the most unnerving content can be made readily available just by checking your local listings for the next episode. This wave of entertainment has given way to the rise of a new mode for fortune and fame in the form of reality TV stardom. Today reality TV berths just as many celebrities as any other popular genre of entertainment. Many of those celebrities go on to gain universal recognition and acquire followings that can transcend to other platforms and entertainment outlets.

The advent of social media also plays a part in creating a culture that empowers reality TV celebrity figures by translating popularity into actual data or number of followers, thus the birth of the title social media influencer has been attached to the more popular users of these networks. Social media has also made those same celebrities and television icons much more accessible, thus making even the most far-fetched improbable or unrealistic real-life endeavors appear attainable for everybody. This intersecting relationship between reality TV and social media has created the perfect storm for arrested personal and social development. A lot of individuals measure their personal lives, growth, experiences, success, etc. in comparison to what they see others doing. Studies have revealed that such behavior can result in severe psychological and emotional damage, which inhibits personal development. Due to this point, in 2019 the social media platform, Instagram, announced that it would disallow page followers from seeing the amount of reactions (likes) that a post receives. The news was met by a disparity of responses by the platform’s users including, those who think that Instagram’s decision was a good move, as well as, those who disapprove of the measure. In an effort to discourage negativity, other platforms such as, YouTube soon followed suit by filtering likes versus dislike reactions

Because a lot of these celebrities can appeal to a large audience and generate interest in their endeavors, they have the ability to shift the trajectory of the culture. Sometimes that shift happens in the form of making things that were once more personal or conservative appear to be rather casual. In other instances, some notable public figures, particularly reality televisions stars, have managed to make that which was once thought of as impossible appear achievable for any idealist. In a lot of cases, the power of reality TV stardom attracts a huge following, which can be interpreted as creditability or merit. Nevertheless, the relationship between a person’s following and their skill set or talent can be orthogonal. Meaning that although someone may be able to acquire a lot of attention that does not necessarily mean that what they do is productive or has real value.

For example, Donald Trump, who had been known for his various business ventures, ultimately finessed his way into politics upon gaining newfound popularity and relevance by producing and hosting the reality show, the Celebrity Apprentice. During Trump’s eight seasons run as the host, the show featured several celebrity guests who were popular in their own right, all competing to be selected as Trump’s next business protégé. The show’s format, as well as, its band of famous cast members made the Celebrity Apprentice a household name. Trump’s catchphrase, you’re fired! was also synonymous with the public’s fascination of the show. Then it happened. Trump announced that he was going to contend for the GOP’s presidential nomination. His relationship with the Celebrity Apprentice came to a halt however, his momentum from the show’s popularity carried over with him onto the national stage making him a legit political contender.

From his inception into presidential politics, Trump did a good job of pointing out everything that was wrong with America, particularly on the issues concerning the economy, as well as, immigration and foreign policy. He also did well by neutralizing any advantage or momentum his opponents may have had based on their past political success by pointing out things that the current representatives in Washington D.C. have failed to fix or even address. In this way having non-political background and no meaningful political affiliations worked out to his benefit. Trump also had his own money, notably $200 million that he cited from doing the Celebrity Apprentice. Therefore, according to Trump, he could not be bought by special interest groups, which essentially made him a rebel to his republican colleagues.

Ultimately, his use of reality TV and social media Trump won the presidential bid of 2016 however; he would not escape the backlash that associated him with being a reality TV star with questionable credentials regarding his capacity to be the commander in chief. The ensuing talk of scandals including, shady business and tax practices, his treatment of women, as well as, his association with separatists, amongst other things caused many people to be skeptical of his legitimacy as president, so much so that the U.S. Congress decided to begin an impeachment process. Moreover, concerning the 2016 elections, Trump has been accused and investigated by the FBI for tampering with the voter process and allegations of collusion with foreign countries. During an interview conducted in 2017, when asked about the image of Russia’s leader, who is considered of all things, a killer by then Fox news anchor Bill O’Reilly, as to whether or not he is concerned about being casted in the same light as Russia’s president Trump replied, there are a lot of killers, you got a lot of killers; what you think our country is so innocent?

Interesting enough, on election night Trump could be seen standing beside Omarosa Manigault, one of the participants of the Trump’s Apprentice television series. Fittingly, Trump had successfully blended the best of worlds, reality TV fame and politics, to become the president of the United States. Omarosa also served during Trump’s administration as a White House staff member and director of communications before eventually being on the receiving end of Trump’s popular reality show catchphrase, you’re fired! The acrimonious split between them spilled over into the media topping running headlines with allegations made by Omarosa of Trump being unapologetically bigoted and unfair. Yet, amidst many messy allegations Trump appears to be more politically ambitious than ever.

In a government system of checks and balances, how is it that Donald Trump essentially went unchecked by his party colleagues on his way to occupying the White House? The answer to this question can be found by examining the materialized societal conditions that made it possible for him to be taken seriously as a practical political leader. By several accounts, a lot of political pundits have considered Trump a mediocre president however, before that he was a mediocre candidate. Trump’s rise coincides with mediocrity in society, i.e. entertainment, music, and the ubiquity of reality TV, all which helped to shape and reshape social construction, as well as, pop-culture. In today’s world pop-culture is also a big indicator of who or what is relevant. America has become a society that is ultra-shallow and values money and power over principles. On that note, the United States got exactly what it deserves as it pertains to Trump winning presidency in 2016, a reality TV star and real estate mogul. Society’s fascination with celebrity and reality TV help to set the stage for putting the likes on a presidential pedestal.

Unfortunately, American society also has a strange obsession with the train wreck of watching individuals make reckless choices, as in the case of Trump, who because of a series of ill-advised choices ultimately faced multiple impeachment processes.

Several politicians and notable entertainers have often referred to Trump as the reality TV president. Not only have many of them expressed disdain for his political discourse but they have also been very candid about resentment for the policies Trump has sought to enact. The bitterness for Trump as a reality television personality would probably have less of an effect on his presidential approval rating if people did not think that his political agenda, as well as, his personal life was in disarray. Many constituents feel as though his dismissive persona regarding issues that matter to people outside of his base is not fitting for country’s highest office. Trump was also repeatedly called out for his inappropriate use of social media while discussing political issues. Not to mention his egotistical gaffes about how he has singlehandedly made America great again. However, when a person has a following and fan base as loyal as Trump’s, their recognition from television and celebrity status often outweighs their missteps. Nevertheless, he has since been investigated by the FBI and banned across many social media outlets.

It is not far-fetched to think of reality TV as being able to produce stars and garner a lot of attention. Proof of this can be found by referencing social media accounts of some well-known reality TV personalities. For example, the Kardashians, who flourished to superstardom behind their hit reality T.V. show "Keeping up with Kardashians, have amassed millions of followers and expanded their brand from television and entertainment into the realms of other industries such as, fashion, cosmetics, and yes politics. To understand the reason why they are so influential in the world of social media, take a look at the numbers: (Kim Kardashian 227 million followers, Khole Kardashian 154 million followers, Kylie Jenner 240 million followers, Kourtney Kardashian 126 million followers, Kris Jenner 41 million followers, Caitlyn Jenner 11 million followers.) In 2019, due to her vast following, as well as, her retail and manufacturing prowess, Kylie Jenner was named by Forbes Magazine as the youngest self-made billionaire, setting an unprecedented bar for other aspiring reality TV celebrities and social media influencers.

Other branches from the Kardashian reality TV family tree have also delved into this format and helped to change the way society views certain images and the perception of an individual’s identity. For example, some time prior to reality TV an individual’s sexual preference was not a hot topic in the sense that a storyline about it could have entertainment value. Moreover, subject matter concerning the LGBTQ community was even more reserved. However, in 2015 when Caitlyn Jenner (also known as Bruce Jenner before going public as a transgender) received the prestigious Arthur Ashe ESPY sports award for courage, living publicly as a transgender took on a different narrative. As a former Olympian turned reality television star, Jenner’s distinctive notoriety helped to change the way society at large views conversations about issues of sexual identity. Jenner, now a prominent award winner, as well as, being transgender help to set a definitive standard in American civility that speaks to the boundless realm of possible breakthrough moments for those within the LGBTQ community. On the other hand, a lot of people are questioning whether sexual orientation of any kind should be the basis for humaneness.

However, not everyone was convinced that courageous was the best way to describe Jenner’s decision to go public. After all, regardless of how questionable or