( voice )

[theverystars]

I've developed a guilty pleasure for watching these competitive "reality shows" on television.

I'm not sure why they call them that. It's an arbitrary name, when you think about it. "Reality shows" hardly capture reality.

The competition aspect of them is often rather pointless as well. What does eating a pound of brains prove, other than that the contestant has no gag reflex? Why not test your mettle at an actual survival skill?

( He falls silent, but not because he's thinking. He's already aware of the situation. )

Given the island setting, I'd say I'm in one such "reality show" now.

But my strength feels considerably limited, so being voted off the island seems like my best option...

( Shatterstar heaves a sigh, having finally resigned himself to acceptance. )

... or it would be, if that offer were on the table. I know enough about captivity to know this is a different kind of game.

Comments

[notdogmatic]

Perhaps here they would be 'fiction shows.'

There was an intriguing program of that nature last summer.

[theverystars]

I guess they would call them that here, what with this whole "fictional" song and dance. I can't imagine why, if you've got the power to pull others from their native dimensions, you would deem their existence invalid. If anything, it's pretty strong evidence to the contrary.

( He doesn't dwell for long. )

What was the program?

(it was an event last summer)

[notdogmatic]

The Dungeon Channel.

I bookmarked the DCN forum posts and taped the broadcast for later reviww.

[theverystars]

( His tone turns somber. He didn't know what to expect, but it definitely wasn't that. )

Were any of those contestants willing participants?

http://thoughtsooc.dreamwidth.org/103846.html <-- further info

[notdogmatic]

None. In fact, they were unaware that they were to be contestants, or that there was a show to be contestants in, until after the broadcast began. Some of them had not found the cameras when the police stormed the ruins to rescue them.

It was fascinating.

[theverystars]

It is cruel, and too close to reality for my liking.

[notdogmatic]

Those three traits are not exclusive of one another.

[theverystars]

They are for me.

Whose idea was this? Who governs this island?

[notdogmatic]

Secretive scientists govern it, but there's reason to believe at least some of these events are arranged by unknown forces beyond their control.

That is also fascinating.

[theverystars]

And there's no organized movement against these forces?

[notdogmatic]

We are not very organized people.

And these forces of dubious existence are difficult to define. What is it we would be opposing?

[theverystars]

Hasn't anyone figured it out yet? How long have you been here?

[notdogmatic]

Eighteen months. But I have no wish to alter my present circumstances.