On A Role

Here's why i hate reality shows. They mock reality. They take one small aspect of our lives, twist it till its eyes pop, put it under a magnifying screen, and broadcast it to the world.
For a sick instance, there's one called 'Temptation Island', where 4 couples are put through various situations with each other, urging them to cheat. In 'The will', a billionaire's family goes through shit, literally, so that they'll be included in his will. Reality?..Really..?

In the classic 'Hitch-hiker's guide to the galaxy', Arthur Dent finds himself in a cave that has a statue of himself, with the tiniest of physical flaws (such as a mole) grossly exaggerated, giving the statue a final appearance of a monster. I imagine, that would be the impression that one would have of the human race, if one were to go by the 'Reality' shows.


The reason these shows remind us of reality at all, is the apparent lack of a script. The characters of the show say and do what they want, in response to real-life situations put on them by the 'Creator' (of the show).They are 'just like us'. While this may or may not be true, that certainly sets the stage for a deeper argument. Are we all stars on our own personal reality shows? Is the absence of someone yelling "Cut!", all that separates our lives from the ones on screen?
Ever since i was a kid, i've heard from my grandparents that life is like a stage, and we're all just actors in it, playing a part, to God's script. I remember i used to argue then about free will, and having a choice. Neither of us were convinced about the other's arguments. Philosophical discussions have a way of remaining unfinished.

But now, i'm 23, and my thoughts return to that old debate, and this time i see their side of the story. Not the part about a pre-written script, but about life being a stage. And the realization came 2 years ago, at the most unlikely of moments.. It was the champions league final between my two favorite football clubs, Manchester United and Barcelona. The score was 1-0 in favour of Barca, with 20 minutes left to play, and Man U was trying to find a way back into the game.
Then 21 year old Lionel Messi, ran forward to meet a cross from Xavi; jumped, hung in the air for what seemed like an eternity.. did he realize that the whole world was watching him, waiting for him to do what was inevitable? Could he feel the intense spotlight at that moment? Maybe he did. Or maybe he was just too much in the zone. He headed the ball past the keeper, and led Barca to a famous 2-0 victory..

I believe we're all on stage. And if we're lucky, or brilliant, or very very hard working, or most probably all of this at once, we might get a chance like this.. when the spotlight is on us alone, and our whole world is watching us.. And maybe we can do what Messi did. What every great person from every field (not just sports) has done at least once in his or her life. We could nail it.

And then, Andy Gray, if he were commentating on our life would say, "Take a bow, son. Take a bow".