In the last few years I have come to realise several things. These are not big things, but nor should they be considered small. I consider myself to be relatively well off (socially, and to an extent financially) and come not from distinguished circles, but more the top end of middle class. Now I know using the mentioning of the class system is not the “done thing” in our modern, “equal” society, so perhaps I should better define that.

The vast majority of my friends are well educated, coming from good solid homes with equally well educated and cultured parents. Their parents come from a time when the class system was more integral in the world with such distinguishments as the 11+ exam here in the UK. This exam allowed them to further their education and almost certainly (although not exclusively) go to university. This would have been when approximately 5% of their age group would have gone. Now although the exam for the most part is gone, these children, my friends, have inherited this elevated start financially and culturally.

The reason I say I have realised these things is the last few years is because it was not until then that I truly began to see the stark contrast between my own way of living and what you could call the “norm for the masses”.

This stark contrast was brought into much sharper focus when Channel 4’s big brother came on to TV. Although the original concept and even the first few incarnations of the program were very original and did make for an interesting “fly on the wall” view into how some people worked, this good start was soon compromised with such fickleties as prospective fame taking over the show. The current series of big brother does nothing more than illustrate people’s grotesque lust for fame.

I remember several years ago when the 3rd or 4th big brother was running and I took part in a “discussion” with other members of my year group in something entitled “where do you stand?”. The format was truly wonderful and something I enjoyed very much. We had a large room with a table in the middle and a member of staff stood on that table with a list of statements in his hands. When a statement was read aloud you had to stand close to the table if you agreed with the statement and far away if you disagreed. Obviously people were then left to make up their mind to what extent they agreed or disagreed and stood in the corresponding place. The member of staff then proceeded to quiz people about why they had stood where they had and during those 4 or 5 questions people would shift about if they so felt the need upon the back of someone’s response. One of the statements put forward was “The television show big brother has been going on too long”. Within 30seconds there was the best part of 100 students are as close to the table as they could.

This was 4 years ago and still this tedium is on our television screens.

You can see peoples interest in worthless, fake celebrities all the time. All you need do is pick up a tabloid newspaper and look at the first 10 pages of pictures. No one in there is special, interesting, funny or even for the most part, intelligent. Yet for some reason so many people follow their every move with the up most interest. How sad and meaningless is your life if you need to read about people who’s only attribute (bar anorexia) is fame.