|
Success...It's All in the Letter P By now we are familiar with Nigel Lythgoe, the British television director and producer, who created such smash hits as Ameri... |
Recent Columns
Being the Real You in the Real World
A Lesson from Tiger Woods
Original Publication Date:
January 2010
2. Learning from cheating caught on tape
For ten years now the reality show Cheaters has been cabled into living rooms all over America. The premise is a clear-cut one: a client suspects their partner of cheating, approaches the Cheaters staff for help, a team of investigators are put on the case, evidence—mostly explicit and incriminating—is gathered, presented to the client, and a big confrontation ensues. The client is given the chance to confront their partner and the unsuspecting third party in the act of the infidelity and the unfortunate drama plays out on camera in plain view for the entire world to witness. Sadly, this show illustrates the extent people will go to in order to cheat and the lengths some will go through in order to find out the truth. Also, it's a painful reminder how incredibly deceptive people can be and how natural it is for them to not be straight and honest with their partner. The show obviously has a following. I think there are several reasons for the interest. Reality shows have become part of the television landscape and as long as the public remains intrigued with the lives of others they are probably here to stay. Plus, the human drama and confrontation the show provides mimics a head-on car wreck which we know some voyeurs just can't resist. I think others who watch are cheaters themselves and are trying to learn how they might escape detection and be better cheaters. Lastly, some who watch have been cheated on and have empathy for those in the same situation they once were. I tuned in a few times to get the gist, but I can't watch it. The whole cheating dance is sensationalized where everyone involved loses in some respect and mostly their self-respect. The one upside is it does point out how unreal people can be to those with whom they are supposed to be the most real.
3. When tables are turned
I wonder how Tiger would feel if it were Elin who had been doing with other men—many other men—what he has been doing with all of these other women? I wonder if he had been on the receiving end of such selfish, indiscriminate behavior how it would affect him? When we face opportunities that could result in the hurt or humiliation of another we have the chance to turn the tables before we proceed. We've developed this, "if it feels good at the moment" mentality and act upon impulses that are tied into the immediate gratification mode of human operation. This way of living our lives is deceptive and shallow. Think carefully before acting on the impulse of the moment when there are the feelings of others, and not just your own, in the mix.
Reader Comments
Tell Pz what you think on Twitter @pzpower!
Be the first to write a comment!
