Explore how reality TV exploits the proletariat Essays

Explore how reality TV exploits the proletariat Essays Explore how reality TV exploits the proletariat Essay Explore how reality TV exploits the proletariat Essay The proletariat audience is exploited by reality television through the way in which the shows influence the audience. The exploitation mainly comes from the name of the genre. Referring to the genre as ‘reality’ gives the audience a false sense of truth towards the programme. The idea of the show being a reality causes the audience to believe that it is real life that they are watching when a lot of the time; it is not a true representation of real life at all. Criticisms of reality TV also suggest that the genre is in place to exploit and humiliate the participants. It is a way in which the television industry is able to make celebrities out of people who really have no talent at all. Through these ‘reality’ programmes, the production companies are able to glamourise the vulgarity that they convey to the audience. Film maker and theorist, Gary Oldman is amongst critics of the reality genre who describes the genre as â€Å"the museum of social decay.† This links to the idea of the proletariat being exposed to the false reality that is the Reality TV genre. The social decay is the idea that the audience is being brainwashed by the false reality that they see. It causes them to believe that what they are consuming is in fact reality rather than glamourised events which exploit those partaking in the programme. Geordie Shore is a prime example of the exploitation of the proletariat through the consumption of reality TV. Although the show is actually ‘structured reality’ which would suggest that the events are put into a scripted situation but without scripted dialogue, it still conveys a false sense of reality for the viewer. The target audience for the show would also be 18 to 30 year olds, in demographic grading’s of C2 and below. This target audience are likely to be vulnerable to consuming the show as a real life reality show. Levi Strauss’ theory on binary oppositions would apply to Geordie Shore because of the binary opposites within the show. A key binary opposite is the men and women. Although all housemates are from Newcastle and all behave in equally vulgar ways, the way in which they are viewed for their behaviour are very different because of their gender. For example, the female housemates will often flash their naked bodies or on nights out they will wear a lot of makeup and very revealing outfits. The men will also flash nudity and dress up for nights out, but the judgement they get for doing so is very different than the way the women are judged. 5 years on since the first episode aired, the housemates are now reality TV stars and whilst they are all successful in their own ways, it seems as though the ordeals from the past still hang over the females whilst not so much over the men. On screen sex is very common in Geordie Shore and it is clear that the women are still answering for their actions years later, whilst the men seem to have been excused from their behaviour on the show. This causes the proletariat audience to have different exceptions and expectations dependent on gender. The way in which the men reacted on the show after the females partaking in one night stands is evidently different from the way in which the women reacted to the men’s actions. The women in the show seemed to just accept that the men going out and sleeping with numerous women was normal and a reality. Whereas the men would seem offended and degrade the women for doing the same. This causes the audience to oppress the female housemates much more for doing the exact same thing as the men. This exploits the proletariat as they consume the idea that men can do vulgar things and not be oppressed as the women are. This takes advantage of the way in which the audience subconsciously consume the views and beliefs that are being put on them by the show. Another way in which the proletariat is exploited by the show is through the way in which the housemates look. Their image creates an unrealistic reality for the viewers and it causes the viewers to become numb to the idea that this kind of look is normal and achievable. Both the men and women in the show create unrealistic expectations for the viewer. Journalist and theorist, Charlie Brooker, highlights the way in which the male reality stars look, stating â€Å"Theyve got sculpted physiques, sculpted hairdos, sculpted eyebrows, and as far as I can tell, no skin pores.† This statement helps to highlight the way in which pressure is put on the young proletariat because of the look of the individuals seen on these reality programmes. Obviously the partaking housemates have been made to look idealistic and attractive by the production organisation in order to be people that the audience will want to watch. However, this causes many issues in the young viewers and can cause them to be self-conscious and some may even take paths to attempt to achieve these unrealistic looks. The idea of some of the cast mates having ‘no skin pores’ conveys the way in which the show and its individuals are fake and not realistic appearances or lifestyles for the proletariat to aspire to. The exploitation of the proletariat audience through reality TV is the reality of the genre. With the way in which the proletariat is vulnerable to being exploited by the shows, there is no end to the way in which ‘reality’ TV can alter the beliefs and values of the viewer through their texts’ content. There is little to no limit of what can be broadcasted as long as it is deemed ‘reality’ which causes conflict and misunderstanding amongst an audience who knows no different than to believe what they are consuming.

16 jobs you can do from anywhere in the world

16 jobs you can do from anywhere in the world Remote jobs are the way of the future. In 2016, 43% of employed Americans spent at least some time working remotely. If you’ve ever fantasized about the digital nomad lifestyle, you’re in luck – it’s a good time to make the switch, and it might not even involve a drastic change from your current career path.Here are 16 jobs you can do from anywhere that strikes your fancy.Media buyerMedia buyers negotiate with advertising agents to secure ad placements that get the most bang for a client’s buck. As a media buyer, you may be purchasing ad space for traditional media – TV, radio, newspapers, and magazines – or for digital media, such as display, video, and paid social and search.With digital ad spend forecasted to total over half of total U.S. ad spend by the end of 2021, there’s a tremendous opportunity for media buyers with experience in programmatic and digital.Project managerIf you possess strong leadership skills as well as m ultitasking and problem-solving abilities, project management might just be the remote job of your dreams.As a project manager, you’ll plan project timelines, manage resources, coordinate team schedules, and ensure successful completion of milestones. Besides regularly working with internal staff, you may also be involved in client onboarding.Online instructorIf you love to teach, you’re in luck: There’s diverse opportunity in the online education sector. Adjunct professor, math tutor, teaching assistant, ESL teacher, special needs instructor – the list of potential online jobs goes on.As an online educator, you’ll spend your days preparing and updating course materials, instructing students, moderating forums, and grading student work.Customer service repToday, the list of SaaS startups and web hosting companies is endless – and so is the demand for customer service reps, such as live chat agents. If you’re tech-savvy and good at res ponding tactfully in high-pressure situations, then this is a great opportunity for you.As a customer service rep, you’ll respond to questions about products and services, offer technical support, and resolve customer complaints.Onboarding specialistIf you have a background in HR and recruiting, consider taking it online and becoming an onboarding specialist or hiring manager.Onboarding specialists source, screen, and recommend new candidates as well as help to coordinate new hires. Many companies also require onboarding specialists to handle new customers and clients.Administrative assistantAre you a wizard at Microsoft Office? Are your organizational skills and multitasking abilities above average? If so, then you’d likely make a great administrative assistant.Often called virtual assistants or VAs, online administrative assistants perform a wide variety of clerical tasks – from handling phone calls and emails to coordinating schedules, performing data entry, drafting and filing paperwork, and even handling travel arrangements for clients.Digital marketing managerDigital marketing is a booming industry. SaaS companies and startups often hire content managers, social media managers, SEO professionals, email marketing specialists, and paid search experts – all of which can be done entirely online.If you’re just breaking into the challenging and ever-changing world of digital marketing, consider getting your feet wet with a do-from-anywhere job as a digital marketing assistant.Payroll supportIf you’re detail-oriented and comfortable working with spreadsheets, then you might enjoy working remotely as a payroll support clerk.In this role, you’ll be responsible for managing employee timesheets and other payroll records, filing taxes, processing payments, and communicating with staff about payroll issues.TranscriptionistTranscriptionists convert recorded speech into text format – here’s an example trans cript. Some transcription providers specialize in academic, legal, insurance, corporate, or medical transcription services.As a transcriptionist, you’ll need strong spelling and grammar skills and a fast typing speed. You’ll be expected to transcribe a wide variety of audio, including podcasts, videos, lectures, conference calls, focus groups, and interviews. If you speak another language, you can also offer translation services.A closely related job is video captioning – perfect for movie buffs.Event plannerIf you want to work remotely but still interact with other people daily, then event planning could be the perfect online job for you.Your duties as an online event planner will include managing event logistics and budget, generating audiences and speakers, and handling event registration. You’ll also act as the liaison between exhibitors, event producers, and other staff.Designer or illustratorMany companies – particularly start-ups and digital agencies – regularly require the services of creative professionals like designers and illustrators.As a professional designer, you’ll use your expertise in programs like Illustrator and PowerPoint to create visuals, charts, diagrams, infographics, and other marketing materials for your clients.Conversion optimization skills are in especially high demand. If you have them, consider marketing yourself as an expert landing page or email newsletter designer.Video or audio editorVideo and audio editors use a combination of technical and creative skills to create and edit trailers, films, podcasts, advertisements, games, radio broadcasts, and music.To qualify for this online job, you’ll need to be proficient in industry-standard audio and/or video editing software such as Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro, Photoshop, and Pro Tools.Voice talentHas anyone ever told you that you have a great voice? If so, then you might consider becoming a professional voiceover artist.As a voiceover artist, you’ll be lending your voice to TV and radio programs, documentaries, commercials, audiobooks, and games. To be successful, you’ll need a home studio with professional audio recording equipment so you can record and master your tracks.InterviewerCompanies and clients hire interviewers to interview authors for autobiographies and magazine or news stories. Your job as a professional interviewer will be to conduct interviews over the phone or via Skype, asking questions and recording participant responses with digital recording equipment. You may also be required to produce a transcript of the call.To succeed as a professional interviewer, you’ll need excellent communication skills.Writer or editorThere’s no shortage of do-from-anywhere jobs for skilled writers and editors, especially when it comes to digital media. Competition for the best jobs is fierce, though, so consider specializing in a specific medium, such as press rele ases, grants, proposals, marketing copy, or online courses.Technical, medical, and scientific writers and editors are in high demand, and the work can pay very well.Travel consultantTravel agencies, airlines, resorts, rental companies, and cruise lines hire travel agents to assist clientele with business and leisure trips.Your tasks as a travel consultant will include booking reservations, handling cancellations, providing customer service, arranging accommodations and rentals, and confirming client itineraries. For a travel agent, good phone skills are a must.Whatever your talents are, there’s probably a remote job out there that’s a great match for your skills and experience. It may take a little digging to find it, but it’ll be worth it!About the Author:Â  Chloe Brittain is a freelance writer and the owner of Opal Transcription Services, a North America-based company providing interview transcription services to companies in the U.S., Canada, and abroad. Con nect with Chloe on LinkedIn and Twitter (@opaltranscripts).