Intro to Anthro: Trading Spouses
Ask VeryTerry, "what's doin'?", on any given Tuesday evening and the answer your likely to receive is, "I got my anthropology class tonight man". So, you're wondering, where in the world does the very cool, VeryTerry go to school? Got one for ya, he goes to Television University on Tuesday evenings. That's right.
Seriously, most of you who know me realize my love/hate relationship with the television (and mass media in general). On one hand, I see the great potential of television, and I enjoy many programs. On the other hand, I can see the pointlessness, the shallow characterizations, the biased assumptions, and the blatant efforts of tv insiders to hoist alternative lifestyles and morals on the vast American mainstream. What's a poor boy to do?
Well, I decided if, and when, I do kick back to watch a little on th tube, I can at least try to get some meaning out of it for myself. Gee VeryTerry, what can a body learn from watchin' tv?
Good Question. On Tuesday night (8/7c) , I have the opportunity to learn all about humanity itself. A very academic ambition, to be sure. I simply tune in to Fox's exciting program, Trading Spouses.
Trading Spouses is reality television at it's finest. In other words, a reality only presented to the viewer after it's been edited, spliced, taken out of context, and ultimately reformatted for maximum effect and impact. Thus, a kind of hybrid reality filled with the opiate nectar of drama, comedy, conflict, suspense, and tidy resolution. That's okay for me. It is still reality, even though it's been tweaked a bit. I like to think of it as a kind of nitro burning funny car sort of reality tv.
That's all good VeryTerry, again though, what can we learn from watching such a show on tv?
First, viewing Trading Spouses is like viewing a surgical dissection. It serves up to the viewer human nature with all of it's myriad possibilities. Now according to my constant companion, Webster's, anthropology is the scientific study of the origin and the physical, social, and cultural development and behavior of humans. Therefore, I give you Trading Spouses, anthropological study at it's finest, shining hour.
In the episode I watched last night (June 21) we met the Gates family and the Loupe family. This being television, you can anticipate what's going to unfold when these two families trade spouses. Oh yes indeed, it unfolds into pure, unadulterated culture shock. Why? Let's look closer at our two families to get to the answer. You see, the Gates family is from southern California. They are totally into a progressive kind of lifestyle appropriate for such a family.
We meet Momma Gates (aka Barbra), the hubby (I never got his name, doesn't matter anyway), and the kids (Jack and Lucy). In Barbra Gates we have the archetypal femminist. She is the matriarchic ruler of the Gates' roost. It get's even better. Barbra, we quickly learn, is an animal rights diva and a genuine vegan.
As the program moves along, it's clear she's also preachy, whiny, forceful, and stubborn. The woman also appears to have some anger management issues. I'd love to introduce her to a good psytherapist.
Barbra trades spouses (and families actually) with Diana Loupe. The Loupe's live in the bayou country of Louisiana. Diana has a fine husband named Diego. He's cool. You could see yourself hanging out with Diana and Diego. They are easygoing folk. No pretensions, just salt of the earth people. The Loupe's also have a son. He's a charming, mullet headed fellow named Zamariah (ZZ). Zamariah is a typical kind of boy. He sometimes finds his way into difficulties. In spite of this, he's a good guy who seems to be genuinely happy growing up in a place full of natural beauty and wonder like Louisiana's bayou country.
Now, over the course of the hour long show, we have the priveledge of watching what happens when these two worlds collide. I don't intend to bore you with a detailed summarization of Tuesday's episode. I will give you some details so you can get an idea of how it is that one is able to bring anthropology to bear on the show.
For instance, at one point, Barbra, who is now solidly ensconced at the Loupe's home, decides to throw a party for the Loupe family and friends. Barbra (the vegan) shows no tact, nor mercy, as she serves up the soy burgers and such at this little get together. Viewing the reactions of her guests, which consisted in varying degress of astonishment, disgust, and quiet disdain, was thrillingly priceless.
After this horrific dining experience, Barbra (the animal rights diva) further mangles the party, and tortures her guests, by insisting that all move to the living room to watch a video. Is it the new StarWars movie? mabye Batman Begins? No. It's a video about animal rights, of all things. It seems Barbra totally doesn't get it. These are Louisiana folk. Huntin', fishin', and wrestlin' around with the 'gators is par for the course. I can't describe my delight as I watched guests, husbands, grandmothers, and children take flight for the front door, abandoning Barbra and her pretensious, moralizing self. All alone, Barbra watches the video to conclusion. We can hear the narrator telling us that chickens are our noble friends as Barbra breaks down in tears at the beauty of such a notion.
And so goes the show. You're getting the idea, I'm sure.
In closing, we come back to the question of anthropological study. I will confess, my television viewing/study is not exactly scientific. I beg your forgivness on this point. In any case, the meanings pertaining to culture and human development are invaluable. You see, people in America who lean to the left think that the conservative platform is moralistic, sermonizing, and forceful. Now, after viewing this episode of Trading Spouses, we realize the the right doesn't have an exclusive possession of such negative qualities. Anyone can be insensitive at times.
Next, let's consider war. No, not the War on Terror. Let's look at the other war we American's seem to be waging. That's it, the Cultural War. Last night's episode was a very special glimpse into some aspects of the media hyped war. In the Loupe family we can see the American mainstream. A good 'ol group that puts great stock in heritage and tradition. In the Gates family we see an emerging kind of America. A more forward looking America, perhaps. Barbra's attitude and behavior typify these characteristics well. Barbra looks for new and better ways of living life. She's adopted Veganism. She advocates causes, her passion being animal rights. In the way she relates to other's we can see her passion, and we see the frustration, impatience, and potential for quick anger that comes with the passion. So, in the Loupe and Gates family we really have a micro reflection of Right and Left America. True, in last night's show the Loupe's perhaps proved themselves to somewhat more gracious and long suffering; yet, both families reflected some interesting and positive qualities.
For me here's the learning. Whicever side of the fence you may be on (we all know how rediculous and unprofitable it is to sit on the middle of a fence), we all need to be aware of exactly what kind of fence we're standing by. For example, a privacy fences is a fine fence, although it makes it nigh impossible for people to gather around. The people on one side of such a fence have no idea what the people on the other side are really like. They can ony guess. Not a very friendly scene, right?
A chain link fence is another kind of fence. You can see through it, and you can see around it. Most importantly, it's a fence where people can come together, sharing a coke or a beer. They can visit, and chat. They can be friendly as they really get to know one another, and learn to appreciate and complement differences. This kind of fence is my hope for America. I think the nation would be stronger if we stopped shouting across a privacy fence, and we all gathered around the chain link fence. If we all gathered at the fence and spent time in one another's company, letting time unfold as we sip our beers, it might go a long way toward bringing an end to America's Culture War. It's easier to climb a chain link fence, too.
Join me, VeryTerry, for class. Watch more television, okay?
Seriously, most of you who know me realize my love/hate relationship with the television (and mass media in general). On one hand, I see the great potential of television, and I enjoy many programs. On the other hand, I can see the pointlessness, the shallow characterizations, the biased assumptions, and the blatant efforts of tv insiders to hoist alternative lifestyles and morals on the vast American mainstream. What's a poor boy to do?
Well, I decided if, and when, I do kick back to watch a little on th tube, I can at least try to get some meaning out of it for myself. Gee VeryTerry, what can a body learn from watchin' tv?
Good Question. On Tuesday night (8/7c) , I have the opportunity to learn all about humanity itself. A very academic ambition, to be sure. I simply tune in to Fox's exciting program, Trading Spouses.
Trading Spouses is reality television at it's finest. In other words, a reality only presented to the viewer after it's been edited, spliced, taken out of context, and ultimately reformatted for maximum effect and impact. Thus, a kind of hybrid reality filled with the opiate nectar of drama, comedy, conflict, suspense, and tidy resolution. That's okay for me. It is still reality, even though it's been tweaked a bit. I like to think of it as a kind of nitro burning funny car sort of reality tv.
That's all good VeryTerry, again though, what can we learn from watching such a show on tv?
First, viewing Trading Spouses is like viewing a surgical dissection. It serves up to the viewer human nature with all of it's myriad possibilities. Now according to my constant companion, Webster's, anthropology is the scientific study of the origin and the physical, social, and cultural development and behavior of humans. Therefore, I give you Trading Spouses, anthropological study at it's finest, shining hour.
In the episode I watched last night (June 21) we met the Gates family and the Loupe family. This being television, you can anticipate what's going to unfold when these two families trade spouses. Oh yes indeed, it unfolds into pure, unadulterated culture shock. Why? Let's look closer at our two families to get to the answer. You see, the Gates family is from southern California. They are totally into a progressive kind of lifestyle appropriate for such a family.
We meet Momma Gates (aka Barbra), the hubby (I never got his name, doesn't matter anyway), and the kids (Jack and Lucy). In Barbra Gates we have the archetypal femminist. She is the matriarchic ruler of the Gates' roost. It get's even better. Barbra, we quickly learn, is an animal rights diva and a genuine vegan.
As the program moves along, it's clear she's also preachy, whiny, forceful, and stubborn. The woman also appears to have some anger management issues. I'd love to introduce her to a good psytherapist.
Barbra trades spouses (and families actually) with Diana Loupe. The Loupe's live in the bayou country of Louisiana. Diana has a fine husband named Diego. He's cool. You could see yourself hanging out with Diana and Diego. They are easygoing folk. No pretensions, just salt of the earth people. The Loupe's also have a son. He's a charming, mullet headed fellow named Zamariah (ZZ). Zamariah is a typical kind of boy. He sometimes finds his way into difficulties. In spite of this, he's a good guy who seems to be genuinely happy growing up in a place full of natural beauty and wonder like Louisiana's bayou country.
Now, over the course of the hour long show, we have the priveledge of watching what happens when these two worlds collide. I don't intend to bore you with a detailed summarization of Tuesday's episode. I will give you some details so you can get an idea of how it is that one is able to bring anthropology to bear on the show.
For instance, at one point, Barbra, who is now solidly ensconced at the Loupe's home, decides to throw a party for the Loupe family and friends. Barbra (the vegan) shows no tact, nor mercy, as she serves up the soy burgers and such at this little get together. Viewing the reactions of her guests, which consisted in varying degress of astonishment, disgust, and quiet disdain, was thrillingly priceless.
After this horrific dining experience, Barbra (the animal rights diva) further mangles the party, and tortures her guests, by insisting that all move to the living room to watch a video. Is it the new StarWars movie? mabye Batman Begins? No. It's a video about animal rights, of all things. It seems Barbra totally doesn't get it. These are Louisiana folk. Huntin', fishin', and wrestlin' around with the 'gators is par for the course. I can't describe my delight as I watched guests, husbands, grandmothers, and children take flight for the front door, abandoning Barbra and her pretensious, moralizing self. All alone, Barbra watches the video to conclusion. We can hear the narrator telling us that chickens are our noble friends as Barbra breaks down in tears at the beauty of such a notion.
And so goes the show. You're getting the idea, I'm sure.
In closing, we come back to the question of anthropological study. I will confess, my television viewing/study is not exactly scientific. I beg your forgivness on this point. In any case, the meanings pertaining to culture and human development are invaluable. You see, people in America who lean to the left think that the conservative platform is moralistic, sermonizing, and forceful. Now, after viewing this episode of Trading Spouses, we realize the the right doesn't have an exclusive possession of such negative qualities. Anyone can be insensitive at times.
Next, let's consider war. No, not the War on Terror. Let's look at the other war we American's seem to be waging. That's it, the Cultural War. Last night's episode was a very special glimpse into some aspects of the media hyped war. In the Loupe family we can see the American mainstream. A good 'ol group that puts great stock in heritage and tradition. In the Gates family we see an emerging kind of America. A more forward looking America, perhaps. Barbra's attitude and behavior typify these characteristics well. Barbra looks for new and better ways of living life. She's adopted Veganism. She advocates causes, her passion being animal rights. In the way she relates to other's we can see her passion, and we see the frustration, impatience, and potential for quick anger that comes with the passion. So, in the Loupe and Gates family we really have a micro reflection of Right and Left America. True, in last night's show the Loupe's perhaps proved themselves to somewhat more gracious and long suffering; yet, both families reflected some interesting and positive qualities.
For me here's the learning. Whicever side of the fence you may be on (we all know how rediculous and unprofitable it is to sit on the middle of a fence), we all need to be aware of exactly what kind of fence we're standing by. For example, a privacy fences is a fine fence, although it makes it nigh impossible for people to gather around. The people on one side of such a fence have no idea what the people on the other side are really like. They can ony guess. Not a very friendly scene, right?
A chain link fence is another kind of fence. You can see through it, and you can see around it. Most importantly, it's a fence where people can come together, sharing a coke or a beer. They can visit, and chat. They can be friendly as they really get to know one another, and learn to appreciate and complement differences. This kind of fence is my hope for America. I think the nation would be stronger if we stopped shouting across a privacy fence, and we all gathered around the chain link fence. If we all gathered at the fence and spent time in one another's company, letting time unfold as we sip our beers, it might go a long way toward bringing an end to America's Culture War. It's easier to climb a chain link fence, too.
Join me, VeryTerry, for class. Watch more television, okay?
posted by Intericeage4 at 3:31 PM
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