The New Narcissus in the Age of Reality Television

Description

This book explores the emergence and encouragement of the new narcissus in our society and the ways in which this is portrayed in reality television. Through studies of well-known reality shows, including Toddlers and Tiaras, Hoarders, Sister Wives, Catfish: The TV Show, Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew and The Real Housewives, the author examines the combined effects of narcissism and consumerism, shedding light on the ways in which people are pushed to focus on their own biographies and self-promotion to the point of creating a false self within the individual and the development of a sense of dissatisfaction, dis-ease and unhappiness. Applying Freud’s concept of narcissism and tracing it through the work of key social theorists including Durkheim, Lasch, Goffman, Riesman, Baudrillard and Giddens, The New Narcissus in the Age of Reality Television constitutes an insightful analysis of the modern ideology of greatness, perfection or ‘being the best’, that permeates society – an ideology that overwhelms and ultimately drives the individual to dissemble and project an artificial self. A compelling argument for the importance of understanding the persistence of a powerful and dangerous trait in modern society, this book will appeal to scholars of sociology, social theory and cultural and media studies with interests in reality television, celebrity culture and modern narcissism. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents List of figures Series editor’s preface 1. Introducing the new narcissus Media immersion and the self The process of adaptation in modernity The surveillance of others and growth of narcissism Notes 2. Learning the importance of falseness: Toddlers and Tiaras Confidence and competition Glitz and the artifice 3. Consequence of believing the lie: Hoarders Anxious individual Jim: confusing value with sickness Isolation and avoidance 4. The ease of falseness: Sister Wives Freedom and choice Maintain the artifice and suppress real emotions 5. Avoiding reality: Catfish: The TV Show Anomie online The new narcissus’ ‘gift’ Avoiding reality 6. Experts of falseness: Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew Consequences of idolization ‘I hate people’: a love for drugs and birds and the isolation of addiction Confusing sickness with a condition of good health Lessons on the artifice, constant reflections Reward the illusion: the child beauty queen grows up Avoidance till the end 7. The new narcissus goes global: The Real Housewives Understanding the game Creating the artifice: ‘It’s so hot!’ Sell your (false) greatness to others Maintaining the image is exhausting 8. Entranced by the new narcissus’ reflection gazing back at us Anomic adaptation Artifice Avoidance Fake enchantment: illusion becomes our reality Notes Bibliography Index