The fascination we, as a society, have with observing other peoples lives from the sidelines has gone from merely entertainment to crossing the line of dangerous passivity.

Reality TV has given us all a voyeuristic window into the lives of others that has never been had in the past. There have always been nosy neighbors and gossips but now you don’t even have to get together with your friends, or even go out of your house. Just flip on the little box in your bedroom, living room, TV room, even bathroom and you can see in full color the drama and strife of other peoples daily lives.

No more need for writers, actors or even talented people at all. The only qualification seems to be vanity, a need for attention and to be vaguely attractive. Are you a total hot mess with a seriously screwed up life? Great! Video yourself, upload and apply! We can make you famous!

This is blurring the lines of reality.

What’s right?

What’s wrong?

What’s acceptable?

What’s sociopathic?

Apparently all of it and all the better if you happen to be able to capture someone doing something on your phone so you TOO can profit from it, whether it be monetarily or through the second hand attention of “likes” and praise online with YouTube or social media.

When did it become funny to watch people hurt themselves over and over and over again?

How many people can hit themselves in the balls with a bat, a golf club, a basket ball before you lose interest? Apparently for most of you the amusement goes on and on…

Yet I bet if it was you? You wouldn’t think it was so funny.

I have seen numerous videos online lately of incidences where someone is being harassed, hurt, injured or worse and what do the by standers do?
Live up to the name. They do nothing but stand by and film.

-Crowds of people gathered around young kids while others beat them, no one steps in to help.

-Adults throw temper tantrums at fast food restaurants, screaming obscenities at the workers – no one opens their mouths to try and get them to either calm down or leave, they just whip out their phones and record the abuse.

-In the Knockout Game, random strangers are simply hit out of no where. There are almost always several other people in the videos who again, just stand there. They don’t say a word, they don’t yell at the attacker, they don’t make any move to go after him and rarely do you even see them grab their phone to call for help.

-Police step over the line in arrests brutalizing citizens who are already down on the ground and compliant. Their friends just film.

While I do understand the natural inclination is to not want to be involved in a fight, you really need to consider – What if it was you?

Would you hope your friends, your family, a caring stranger, anyone would step in? Do something, say something, … ANYTHING?

I certainly would appreciate it.

I don’t advocate jumping right in to a fight if you are not trained.

What I am saying is speak up! Use your voice. Grab their arm. Make SOME  attempt to slow them down, insert a little reason in to the scene. Don’t just passively sit there and watch it happen. If you do, you BECOME part of the problem.

Let me say this as clearly as possible.


THIS IS NOT TV.



We are quickly losing our humanity.