"Winners & Losers: performance stress is ingrained in our society?"

Picture: Nicki Connolly Source: News Limited

Lately I've been watching the popular talent show "X-factor" and invariably see advertisements for other such very popular "reality-type" shows - you understand the type eg - Survivor, The Block, etc, etc. I can't believe how popular they are but obviously mine's a minority opinion. Competitive shows are obviously a successful, well-trodden formula and ever since the Romans gathered in arenas to watch gladiators do battle, or a sports competition, they undoubtedly can be entertaining.  However, the popularity of these reality-based competitive shows needs to be looked at with a discerning eye.  As the competition in the X-factor progressed, the most common words and theme were: pressure, tension, singing for their lives, last chance, performing under pressure, got what it takes, etc, etc.  Unlike good music shows of the past the actual songs sung (no matter how well) are not the focal point of the show but the strictly defined expectations of what makes a great "performance" (ticking all the right boxes) is.  The winners we are told can handle the pressure and the losers well they'll be soon gone out of sight out of mind. We also don't have to deal with any casualties of such a system. Not only the pressure but for several weeks - or however long - talented but ordinary people are feted and groomed as "pop stars" and they are supposed to act like them.  Although these real life people get lavished with superlative praise from experienced "legendary" celebrities one minute, they are just as likely to be on the end of a ego-crushing axing the next. Then their lifelong dream to be a singing artist basking in fame and glory vanishes! One day fans are cheering for you as if you were the next megastar then the next day you're back out on the street on your own again. Yeah sure they've gotten your 15 minutes of fame and perhaps some lucky ones will be picked up and supported with a show business career but I suspect most end up back in their schools, part-time, or full time jobs.  How does a starstruck youngster handle it? Well, we don't know and aren't supposed to know. Show business is cruel, but the show MUST go on! The difference between these reality shows and comedies or sitcoms of the past is that the entertainment value is in watching real people handle or buckle under pressure whereas sitcoms of a past era (at the same TV time slot) aimed to make you laugh or be entertained with music, plot & script.  Considering the numbers of these shows on at prime time is this a metaphor for our society? Pressure & stress at work (most likely on the receiving end as the employee) and now it's time for us to enjoy watching others handle (or not handle) stress as others "perform under pressure"? Or maybe it's just being a Tai Chi person we do what we can to reduce stress and see it as the enemy, I'm not sure and perhaps those contestants who fall by the wayside get so much more out of it than it they if they never had entered the show. But I do know that I'd hate to have a boss who constantly expects & pressures his/her employees with the question: "Do you have the X-factor?"


Author - Lee Chang Tye
https://www.relaxedmindtaichi.com