A Real Life Big Brother

A plague of shows such as “Big Brother” have sent the media into a frenzy in recent years. A handful of fame hungry individuals living three months of their lives under constant surveillance, the best moments of which aired on television for our amusement.
But how would we feel if we were living in a real life Big Brother without realising?

I once read a book, which told the story of a young girl, who is told that she is actually living in a make believe world. The village she lives in held captive without their knowledge, with the ‘real world’ able to pay to watch their every day lives.
The best way I can describe it is in comparison to “The Simpsons Movie”, when the town of Springfield has a massive clear dome placed over it…that is exactly how I imagine our Earth.
We believe that our world is the only one that exists; and why would we think any different? Many would argue that that’s because there has never been any reason to doubt the fact that isn’t true. However, isn’t is possible that it’s because we haven’t been allowed to think anything other than what we know.
If what I’m saying is in fact true, which I believe it is, all measures would be taken to ensure we never figured all this out surely? There may be the few stragglers, like me, who have their suspicions, but there is absolutely nothing out there to prove my theory true.

So who is this other world? I believe it’s a higher, more powerful society that are able to pay to watch how we live, what we do, how we are. They are basically “God”, or at least, what our perception of what ‘God’ is.

I know it all sounds extremely far fetched; a group of people in a cinema setting, complete with the oversized, overpriced refreshments, sitting down to watch…well, us, but I honestly believe it’s true.
We are nothing more than a mere experiment, a project...a bit of light entertainment. So the next time you settle down to watch the latest ‘Big Brother’ just think about who could be watching you.

Plausible conspiracy theory? You Decide.

Jade? Oh Goody!

Jade Goody leapt her way into the nation’s hearts as the bubbly, slightly eccentric contestant of ‘Big Brother’ in 2002. Although Goody never actually won the show, her on-screen antics continued to amuse and entertain thousands, leading to a list of contracts, including her autobiography and her own perfume, which led to her being one of the most recognised public figures of the 21st century.
However, for every person who adored Jade there was another who hated her. She was never far from negative press attention, those once lovable habits of hers beginning to grate on the nerves of the British public. She fast became the ‘marmite’ of celebrities; you either loved her or hated her.

It was well known that Jade never exactly thought about what was coming out her mouth, which was proven perhaps too well when she was labelled a racist bully when she was invited to appear on ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ in 2007. Following several major disagreements with fellow housemate Shilpa Shetty, Jade shocked the nation with her racist remarks, which included referring to her as ‘Shilpa Popadom’ and telling her to “Go back to the slums”.
This marked the downfall of her career; as the press slated her and shops refused to sell her perfume and biography, she was further criticised for breaking down on live television whilst making a public apology for her behaviour, many claiming it as a bid for sympathy.
It took months for Jade to regain any kind of trust and respect from the British public, most not willing to forget the past.

However, in 2008, when Jade was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, it couldn’t be denied that as a nation, we were stunned. Now with the news that the cancer is terminal, and she has only mere months to live, everyone is trying to come to terms with the fact Jade Goody will soon be no more. Capturing the whole traumatic experience for her reality television show for Living TV, Jade claims she is doing all she can to make as much money she can for the two sons she will be leaving behind when she takes her last breath.
And following a rather suspicious proposal from toy boy Jack Tweed, she sealed a £700, 000 deal with Ok! Magazine to feature pictures of the wedding. You could be forgiven for doubting Tweed’s motives for the proposal, just as you could be forgiven for doubting the motives of Jades decision to televise her battle; was it really to make money for her sons? Or did she seize the opportunity to leave a last mark in the world, as a last, and slightly desperate attempt for fame; something she’s achieved for…well, nothing really.
But the thing that bugs me perhaps most of all, are the hypocritical messages of support from people who only a few months ago were still labelling her a racist bully. Now that label seems to have changed too “Our brave national hero”.
I’m not in any way trying to say Jade deserves this, or that I wish it upon her, but the fact she is terminally ill does not excuse the way she has behaved in the past.

Jade behaved in a way which was totally inexcusable, and whilst she continues to make money out the more hypocritical members of the great British public, I will stand firm in my belief that Jade Goody is nothing more than a money-grabbing, untalented, dim-witted nobody.

Murder By Music?

October 10th, 2007 marked a date many Americans would never forget. 14 year old Asa Coon entered SuccesTech Academy in Cleveland, Ohio armed with two guns, three knives and a bag of ammunition. He shot at and injured two students and two teachers before turning the gun on himself and committing suicide.
In the days that followed, it emerged that Coon idolised legendary rocker Marilyn Manson. Cleveland then took the drastic measure of banning Manson’s music in its state, and even blaming Manson for the violent attack on the school.

Out of respect for the citizens of Cleveland, Manson cancelled the remaining dates on the world tour he had been embarking on. He also refused to comment about the situation. Doesn’t sound like a monster, does he?
But can Manson really be blamed for the tragedy? In my opinion, no, he cannot. Manson has gained a fan base of millions since he first emerged in the scene, including Coon. Now, if his music was as influential as to make someone carry out such a horrific act, surely it would have affected every other fan?
Manson has a certain look and sound to his music, which, not being a fan of it myself, I can admit that it is quite intimidating. However, just because he sounds a certain way, that doesn’t mean he is responsible for someone else’s actions.
To be able to carry out such a horrific act, there must be something internal, something deep down inside that makes you do it. It cannot just be the simple matter of “I heard this song and it made me kill someone”. It has to be something within yourself that makes you capable of actually carrying out a reign of terror on innocent victims, and has nothing to do with the music you listen too.