Final Blog Post

            Throughout this class we have studied the relationship between media and how it reflects and is reflected in our culture.  A topic that I specifically enjoyed was the topics on reality television shows, specifically The Real Housewives.  I have continuous arguments with my girlfriend and her friends who are in love with the show and wish their lives were as glamorous as the main characters.  My girlfriend and her friends are perfect examples of how reality television affects the thoughts, minds, and feelings of its audience, as outlined by Berger in his analysis of Marxism as it relates to media studies.  Shows like The Real Housewives advocate specific agendas like materialism.  I constantly tell my girlfriend and her friends to watch The Real Housewives through a materialistic lens, but they yell at me and say they watch it as a source of entertainment; rather than an actual glimpse of reality.  People may watch these shows for entertainment, but their minds are subconsciously absorbing the information presented to them, even though they may be watching these shows purely for entertainment.  My girlfriends friends actually think it is acceptable to live and act the way these women do; when in reality it is not acceptable in reality.  I find this ridiculous and completely absurd.  By subconsciously absorbing this type of information, reality television is altering the perception of their audience.