For the Love of Television

Millions of people tuned in to watch the Emmy awards one week ago, and I was one of them. I find no problem in watching television for relatively mindless pleasure and “ooh-ing” and “awing” at the pomp and circumstance of Hollywood award shows. But, a dark shadow is cast when you realize that people seem to care more about who wins best comedy actress than who wins this years Noble Prize in chemistry. This is a clear reflection on the priorities of our culture. It is not just through these award ceremonies that I see this strange prioritization. Why is it that online there is a countdown clock to Kim Kardashian’s birthday on October 21, but not to Alfred Nobel’s, who shared the same date of birth? I will not say that I do not watch television, and I will not say that I wait for the awarding of the Nobel Prize’s every year, but just as an observation I find it very interesting where my priorities and those of many others are. Maybe I need to change my ways, but then again, how can I survive not knowing if Downton Abbey won best drama?