The Choke Hold Love Island Has Us All In

There was a point in time this year where Love Island was becoming my daily small talk with coworkers.

"Have you seen the latest episode of Love Island?"

"I still cannot believe Taylor switched up so fast."

I enjoyed it for a while. I liked to chat and read hot takes on the show. As entertaining as it is to watch an obscene social experiment strike up passionate debates online, eventually I got concerned.

Love Island reached 14.8 billion streams on the Peacock platform. Additionally, Love Island ranked as the number one series in the United States on the week of season finale.

It was extremely evocative. Not only was it emotional to watch, but it asked the viewers to participate. The discourse about it online was personal, and viewers were passionate. Participants of the show were stalked and harassed online. Viewers passionately commented and argued on behalf of their favorites from the show.

It came to a point where I was questioning if they were mentally well. Then it dawned on me... it is very likely that they are not.

The psychological effects and appeal of reality television is not a new topic. It only took a few minutes of research the basic reasons why reality television has such a grasp on the nation.

Escapism is at the top of the list. Escapism involves an avoidance of unfavorable elements of reality by immersion in other distractions. With all the chaos and struggle happening in one's daily life, reality television offers a tiny vacation.

Voyeurism is another reason why reality television is so pleasurable to engage with. Voyeurism is the act of one gaining amusement from watching others suffering. This is what I think to be the evocative part of reality television that viewers enjoy the most.

I like to believe most people, like myself, are interacting with reality television as innocent entertainment. Which is why I am beginning to see how essential it is for me to take reality television more seriously.

Reality television is a mirror to where society is at, what it values and where it is headed to

next. Love Island is one of many dating reality television shows that puts a magnifying glass on the lustful and vain nature of modern-day dating.

Reality television stars are not objects on a screen but rather influential roles in the nation. Reality television stars have gone on to be the face of major ad campaigns, run major companies, and even become the president of the United States.

Whether its dating shows or social media scrolling, I am taking a beat to reflect on my content consuming and how it is effecting the world around me.