It always amazes me that the TV reality shows are so popular.  I’m going to suggest one of the oldest reality shows—your state fair.  The first reality show to be aired on TV involved a family named the Louds.  http://www.pbs.org/program/american-family/  It was shown back in the ancient time of 1971.  It traced the breakdown of a family over many months—how interesting.  But it was wildly successful and popular.  Since then, the number of reality shows has exploded.

Here’s a new suggestion for you: go to your state fair.

I’m going to the Minnesota state fair for a concert—Bonnie Raitt.  Prior to the show, I’ll wander around and observe the crowds.  I often wonder:  for the other 364 days of the year, where have all these people been hiding because I’ve never seen such odd and interesting people.  They certainly don’t hang-out at Starbucks or Target.

So, if you want to see a real reality show, got to your state fair.  It’s also a great cross-section of America.  Regardless of race, age, background, disability, or sexual orientation—they all feel welcome to come to the state fair.  There must be something about a state fair that attracts all these different people.  That’s interesting by itself.

It’s also wonderful to see all these different people mashed together, bumping into each other—but at the same time all having fun.  The media constantly beats on us that our country is failing, falling apart, and that we’re all “polarized” into the safety of our private groups.  I’m not a Pollyanna, but there is a level of cooperation and the sharing of a common experience by those attending a state fair.  It’s both refreshing and hopeful to see this happen.

Even if you don’t like the state fair if you keep these points in mind and, like a writer, observe people without judging them, you’ll have a great time and get a new perspective.