This letter is associated with the following article:
Letters
Sunday, March 23, 2008 12:00 AM

I Like to Watch

American idle: If you can't live a life of leisure, at least you can watch one on TV, from "Big Brother" to "The Real Housewives of New York City."

Read other letters about this article

  • Sunday, March 23, 2008 04:54 PM

    Easter eggs for three previous posters.

    ResNovae, you didn't read it all, did you? Otherwise you would know I don't want Havrilesky's job. I have a job. I just want her to do hers. Maybe you live in a world of retarded Internet snots (Ain't It Cool News, f'rinstance). I just drop by weekly to see if the rehab program is working, and frankly, she is improving. Slowly, but any progress is better than none.

    Bravo10, you are a quitter. Havrilesky has proven that she is not entirely hopeless as a writer. She has actually written some columns over the last few months that could have been the product of an authentic human soul. It's a familar rehab tango; two steps forward, one step back. Just remember that her jokes are like the jokes told in group therapy; they are pretenses that there isn't turmoil under the surface, and are not helpful for her healing.

    And tina schrier, thanks. I wouldn't bring my personal life into this if it wasn't crucial to the argument; I get no joy bragging about my sorrows. But sometimes it's needed. As you pointed out, the Real Housewives lifestyle has real-world consequences, for the wives, their husbands, and the people with their noses pressed up to the LCD screen observing them. It's not that they shouldn't be shown, but they should be shown with some critical perspective.

    That's why it's so frustrating to see such stupid reality shows featured so regularly (and flippantly) in this column. It's really easy to make fun of people you think are your social or moral inferiors. (A lot of racism, sexism and other negative -ism's come from that.) It's harder to have compassion or concern for such people. And of course, if there is a day to avoid compassion and to mock any humanitarian concerns, it's Easter Sunday.

Most Active Letters Threads

370

A key British official reminds us of the forgotten anthrax attack

A vast array of establishment and expert sources do not believe this episode was really resolved.
205

Is Obama's civil liberties record understandable?

Was it unreasonable to expect him to adhere to his commitments regarding the Constitution?
105

How dare you criticize wasteful defense spending!

So you think it's only terrorist-appeasing lefties who are down on Pentagon profligacy? Think again
98

The crazy, irrational beliefs of Muslims

Tom Friedman explains the real problem: stupid Muslims think the U.S. is about war and aggression.
51

Police to talk to Woods

Early morning crash raises questions, and revives tabloid speculation

View all »

Letters Help

Currently in Salon