Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Indulge me just a minute: Dancing With the Stars and our inconsistent ideologies

IF you're a conservative calling in your full load o' votes for Bristol Palin, you are saying that the emotional, collective action of your group trumps individual hard work, measurable achievement, and objective standards.

IF you're a liberal coming apart at the seams over Palin's continued presence (and possible victory), you are saying that standards (Len suggested "justice" based on the point system) ought to trump feelings and group interests.

"Why do you [NPA includes self here] see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?"
Jesus, Matthew 7:3

5 comments:

flask said...

huh.

random stranger here.

what if i only heard about bristol palin and dancing with the stars ont eh radio last week and i think it's not about liberals OR conservatives, but snarky people wanting to see her dance woodenly just for laughs?

does anyone actually watch that show anyway? i've never seen it.

The Archer of the Forest said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The Archer of the Forest said...

I'm going to take the Anglican 3rd way and say, "Why does anyone care one way or the other?" Reality shows are anything but reality.

TLF+ said...

flask, welcome. I think that the political subtext really exists in this case. She's still on the show because phone in audience votes have kept here there, even when other dancers are doing far better. The show's ratings are at all time highs, it's in the news plenty, and there's lots of emotion in the buzz. So there's a window into something in the culture.

Archer - I agree, they're unreal. But this particular case has engaged a multimillion American reality. So I'm intrigued.

Sad to say, but plenty of folks are cyphering their reality through this kind of show rather than our churches.

caheidelberger said...

I'd rather go to your church than watch this dreck on TV (and you know I really don't like going to church).

Political subtext: mass validation of mediocrity over merit; confusion of superior talent with elitism... but I write too much about the Palins already. :-)