Why do we enjoy watching the rich on television?

[Sugar Pea 2,682]

I'm unsure why the media barely exploits the life of the poor, but more so exploits the lifestyles of a rich, spoiled person.

 

Is it because we are interested in what they do, entertainment, to laugh at them, etc. Whatever the reason, I am interested in what you guys have to say.

[Luna 831 466]

I dont watch media it is all controled any way because they have stuff people want so that is why they watch and envy them.

[TenorSounds 832]

Well personally I hate watching shows about "the rich". Maybe people like it because they want to see evidence that the "elite" of society are complete idiots so as to make themselves feel better about their own financial and social standing?

 

Or something?

Edited July 17, 2014 by TenorSounds

[IceeBrony 251]

I can't say i understand most of: reality shows, famous people, rich people

I try every now and again to watch something, but I just can't.

[Khaoios 1,970]

You know, I have to agree.............you are not the only one who thinks that, b/c imo, I like certain movies and TV shows b/c its what some people are good at, yet, with these "child actors" you see on Nick, CN, and DIS, i think there doing it to draw attention, which i find outrageous.   In addition, a lot of times they boast on TV and internet, which is sad for people b/c its like their rubbing their spoiled and rich life, while others are struggling to make a living. 

[Sceethe 704]

that is actually a good question.

 

i think its because they live a lifestyle that most of us desire..

we all dreamt of becoming rich as kids, some of us still do, some of us are never gonna reach that goal.

i honestly dont want to be rich(or rather, it is not my goal to just  become rich, money is awesome ofc) since i know that happiness does not come from money alone, still i find it interesting.

 

i could talk more about this, but damnit im tired.

maybe i´ll post more on that topic tomorrow.

[Arctic Night 884]

Well, I certainly am not interested in the lives of some deluded celebrities that couldn't change a flat tire and would probably go insane if they ever lost their cutely decorated alcoholic beverages or their air conditioned mansions.

 

I know a lot of people do watch that sort of thing though, and I think some people must like the idea of such a fantasy world where they can act like children and appear on tv whenever they want. I'm not sure exactly why. I prefer reality, myself.

[lomk 20,663]

I personally couldn't give a shit about the rich. They're not me. I don't have their money. And honestly, I don't want that kind of money. Sure, I could buy whatever it is I wanted, but therein lies the problem. If I could, I probably would. I don't want to be poor. I want to be able to afford a decent life and to provide for my wife and children in the future, but I don't want to be a millionaire. Unless, of course, inflation gets to the point where a million dollars in thirty years is like ten bucks today. 

 

I think most people keep their eyes on the rich because those people are trendsetters. The only thing that makes them trendsetters is because they're rich/famous and people want to be like them. So when a celebrity does something new and different, then because that person is fashionable, doing what that person is doing and wearing what that person is wearing is thus fashionable. You could then say "I'm like [insert celebrity here] because we have this in common!" Nobody wants to be that person who isn't  in with it. 

 

Unless you're like me and you don't care. The bank is running pretty dry on shits to give. In fact, I think I'm in the red 

Edited July 17, 2014 by Spacey Woona

[DubWolf 17,263]

It's honestly ridiculously funny how there are people with cars worth more than our house, or that most of us will make in a lifetime. I can't help but chuckle and awe at their lives and luxury. Besides, I wouldn't envy them unless I wanted something specific from them, or if all my friends were this rich.

[GGG 176]

@,

 

the worse part is what they do with that money.

 

lil wayne spended 2 million, 2 MILLION DOLLARS on jewerly.

 

like goddamn. 

[-Nobody- 519]

Because being poor sucks.

 

 

Seriously, try it, it isn't fun, and I doubt people would like watching it unless it had some kind of feel-good spin on it.

[ReverseFaller 2,483]

I never got why those kinds of shows were so popular. I personally couldn't care less what Kim Kardashian is doing. (She's a "rich" person, right?)

[Mr. Forest 135]

I've never even attempted to watch shows about rich people, so I certainly do not enjoy them.  Nor do I watch shows about poor people.

[M'aiq the Liar 5,804]

Because for a lot of people it is escapism. They do not enjoy their current economic status, but lack the will to change it. So they watch others enjoy economic success to try to relate to it, and escape from their current life of relative poverty.

[Shanks 10,816]

It is the celebrity infotainment culture, people want to know what the "important" "famous" people are doing, for what reason I have no clue because I actually have a life and would rather keep my brain cells intact. I could understand people wanting to be rich, your average worked gets fucked over big time and not having to worry if you are going to be able to make your rent or you will be able to pay the doctor bills if you get sick but I still don't like the celebrity infortainment culture and the empty materialistic crap that it encourages.

[Twilight The Creator 298]

Ugh, I hate those kind of shows. The only reason they get on TV is because they do something that gets them publicity (ie. Kim Kardashian and Ray-J), and they end up getting a TV show. Woohoo for them.

[Pinkamena-Pills 6,839]

I don't care to watch such shows,especially if their only rich because of being a despicable example for there demographic,

 

That fact that the media rewards people with tons of money; success,for being ignorant and spreading ignorance continues to boggle my mind.. 

[IcyHaze 594]

Honey Boo Boo Ain't rich but dayum she funny haw haw haw

[Wind Chaser 4,768]

It's always been a curiosity to see how the other side lives because it's so different from us, and media profits off of that curiosity.

 

It's also buying into that "American Dream" myth that we the American people have been allowing ourselves to be spoon-fed. If we watch them, maybe we can aspire to be like them.

[SparklingSquirrels 21,341]

I guess people think it's funny.

 

I for one think it's kinda sad that super rich people spend millions of dollars on fancy cars and houses and stuff, when there are so many poor people out there.

Edited July 18, 2014 by SparklingSwirls