Do Physics majors watch reality tv?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the viewing habits of individuals with scientific backgrounds, particularly physics majors, regarding reality television. Participants share their personal preferences, experiences, and opinions on the genre, exploring whether higher education influences one's enjoyment of reality TV shows.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express disdain for reality TV, citing it as lacking substance and questioning the merit of fame without talent.
  • Others mention specific reality shows they enjoy, such as "The Amazing Race," highlighting aspects like travel and cultural insights.
  • A few participants indicate they do not own a TV or do not watch much television, suggesting a preference for other forms of entertainment.
  • Some participants argue that education does not necessarily correlate with an aversion to reality TV, noting diversity in preferences among educated individuals.
  • There are mentions of enjoying certain reality shows while disliking others, indicating a nuanced view of the genre.
  • One participant humorously contrasts their own life experiences with those depicted in reality TV, suggesting a preference for real-life events over scripted drama.
  • Several participants share that they are too busy with academic or professional commitments to engage with reality TV.
  • Some participants reflect on the social dynamics of their peers, noting that those who are more academically inclined may look down on reality TV, while others who enjoy partying may be more inclined to watch it.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the relationship between education and the enjoyment of reality TV. Multiple competing views are presented, with some rejecting the genre entirely and others expressing enjoyment of specific shows.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying definitions of what constitutes "reality TV," leading to differing opinions on its value and entertainment quality. Some mention the distinction between mainstream reality shows and those with educational content.

  • #31
Mentalist said:
Like I said before, where is your case study saying that those who watch reality TV watch it for hours.

To my 2nd point, you're talking about "enrichment", you don't need to be here when your life can be enriched by meditating. If people ought to be "enriched" in life and not waste their idle time doing mundane things, you should put your words to action by signing off of PF and begin meditating.

that's assuming that I do not get enrichment out of PF. I enjoy helping people on occasion in the HW help forums and I enjoy reading the discussions in the political forum and I enjoy reading about stuff in the astronomy forums.

These are all things that enrich my knowledge and enrich my experience.

Being a potato on the couch does not do this. Especially now that the history/discovery channels are kaput.

I don't believe that I need a case study to show this.
 
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  • #32
Whoa I seem to be getting attacked on here, my question wasn't meant to put down people or their viewing choices. I got the idea for the question because I told my dad I was thinking about going back to school to study physics, and he said then you have to quit watching the idiot box and all those reality tv shows you watch. I said I don't watch reality tv, and I said how do you know people who are studying science don't watch it either, so that's why I asked to basically win an argument with my dad. I have a few friends that are what I consider serious students, one is getting their masters in english, and he went on a rant a few weeks ago about how he thought Kim Kardashian was basically a slut, and he doesn't understand how anyone could watch her or even like her. Personally I like Kim Kardashian, can't stand the show, cause it's fake, but I like her. She doesn't drink or smoke, seems to have a pretty good head on her shoulders, and overall seems to be nice. So that's it in a nutshell, my reason for asking.

Also the reason I think reality tv is crap, is because it's so staged that it's hardly reality, and I have a little jealousy towards people that get rich and famous that way.
 
  • #33
So basically between my dad and that friend of mine are why I asked.
 
  • #34
Mentalist said:
Like I said before, where is your case study saying that those who watch reality TV watch it for hours.

To my 2nd point, you're talking about "enrichment", you don't need to be here when your life can be enriched by meditating. If people ought to be "enriched" in life and not waste their idle time doing mundane things, you should put your words to action by signing off of PF and begin meditating.


I come on here about once a week, I hardly spend hours a day on here.
 
  • #35
@Shish.

Why are you arguing with me when you should be "enriching" yourself?

I come on here about once a week, I hardly spend hours a day on here.

The post you quoted was not directed towards you.

Your initial post indicated you being "attacked". I have not attacked one person here. But I can see where you are coming from now in terms of reality TV shows being somewhat staged. I don't think Survivor is staged at all.
 
  • #36
I don't know who said what on here I just went and looked at my e-mail and noticed there was quite a few msgs from this board on this topic and I went and looked and just got the feeling that people thought I was generalizing them, and being a snob So, I'm sorry if I got you mixed up with someone else.

To your meditation remark, I have no idea how to meditate. I'm just naturally a high strung person, and learning to sit still and chill for a few minutes is really hard for me. Seriously it's taken me awhile just to post this msg, while I've been posting it I've been folding laundry, and picking up after my daughter and her friends, and now I have to get ready for work, cause I have to go in a few hours early since someone called in. Any tips would be great, because right now I don't know how I will be able to sit still long enough to study.

I haven't watched survivor in years, but you're right it's probably one of the few that aren't staged. I use to watch The Hills, and that was probably the last reality show I watched and that seemed so staged that it turned me off of all others.

Anyways I got to go, so have a good friday!
 
  • #37
Only in America, Dirty Jobs, Mythbusters, Rocket City Rednecks, Invention USA etc. are also considered reality shows.
 
  • #38
Just because you study science doesn't mean you don't watch reality TV shows.
 
  • #39
Best Pokemon said:
Just because you study science doesn't mean you don't watch reality TV shows.

Sure, I think it was meant as a statistical investigation, not a deterministic one.
 
  • #40
Pythagorean said:
Sure, I think it was meant as a statistical investigation, not a deterministic one.

That's seems fair enough. It would have been better if the question contained a quantifier such as a lot of, plenty of, many, or any.
 
  • #41
As long as it doesn't contain the qualifier "all" or "every", I can forgive.
 
  • #42
Jagger & Richards said:
When I'm watchin' my TV
and a man comes on to tell me
how white my shirts can be.
Well he can't be a man 'cause he doesn't smoke
the same cigarettes as me.

Just sayin...
 

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