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Me against Me

Finally, a TV show I might like. Haven’t watched it yet, but several people who know me, say that THIS TV PROGRAM is one I would like. From the looks of it, they’re probably right.

465px-Hurricane_Katrina_August_28_2005_NASA.jpgI’m a bit skittish about this stuff; it’s why I have a survival kit at our house, a shotgun, and can make a solar still. It’s also probably why I’m thinking about reading this book, despite it being on Oprah’s Book Club. (Besides, they have it at Costco for $8.50.) I’m a sucker for anarchy and apocalypse. Not only do I believe the world teeters on the brink of chaos and mobocracy (see: The Thread), but that the average American is woefully unprepared. Survive in the wilderness? Heck, 24 hours without electricity would send most folks into TV withdrawal. It’s amazing mankind made it without curling irons.

The only qualms I have about watching a survival show is overcoming my snarkasm and conviction that electronic media has produced a nation of broad-bottomed, dumbed-down, evolutionary invertebrates, so far removed from our pioneering forefathers as to be unrecognizable. Face it: Most Americans are more adept at finding the TV changer than they would be at finding shelter in the wilderness, even if their life depended on it. So what if there’s a 90% chance of nuclear terrorism in the U.S. within 15 years. As long as we have American Idol, who cares about nuclear winter. Anyway, I’ll put aside my pettiness and watch the next hour-long episode. Knowing how to build animal snares and forage for non-toxic mushrooms could prove helpful some day. But in the end, it’s still me against me.

{ 6 comments… add one }
  • Ame April 16, 2007, 1:50 PM

    Okay, Mike … I just watched the little clips they have … and I think heaven sounds great! 🙂

    Raw … uggghhhh … that’s just too much for this electricity-dependent girl!

    Hairdryer?!!!!!!!

    I’ve done the campin stuff … don’t like it … but glad there are those of you who do!

  • Jason April 16, 2007, 3:33 PM

    This is the ultimate “reality TV” show, Mike. It will restore your faith in the power of media.

  • Mike Duran April 16, 2007, 4:00 PM

    Hmm. I don’t need my “faith in the power of media” restored. I need my faith in THE PROPER / PRODUCTIVE USE OF MEDIA restored. But thus far, I am an unbeliever when it comes to hope in quality prime time programming. Maybe Discovery should run a show on surviving in the wasteland that is television — call it, Man vs. TV. Of course, in real life, there’s nothing in prime time to survive on.

  • Melody April 17, 2007, 4:13 AM

    Do you still have those 2×4’s with nails darting out of them under you bed from Y2K?

  • Mike Duran April 17, 2007, 1:09 PM

    Har, har. What I really need is a comment sensor that will automatically detect when a person is leaving a stupid comment on my blog and shock their keyboard. If it’s any consolation Melody, you wouldn’t have been the first to get the jolt.

  • Suzan Robertson April 18, 2007, 11:42 PM

    Hey Mike, hubby and I have a lot in common with you.

    I’ve started a post-apocalyptic road trip novel, and I attempt to read most in that sub-genre, although many are poorly-written. I’ll finish mine someday.

    Hubby loves the survival stuff, and likes being prepared for all sorts of disasters.

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