Insanity is color-blind
I learn a lot from TV. I’m not afraid to admit it. In Latin America, it’s a great cultural barometer.
It’s even more educational sharing TV time with the roomies. They love to further educate by adding their own social commentary and critiques, especially in how loco the rest of the world is. They’re usually not too far from the truth. The world in which we live is pretty screwy.
Not surprising, their view of the world is piped in through subtitled American shows like America’s Top Model, Desperate Housewives and Springer (they actually have an awful Jerry Springer knock-off. It’s possibly the worst thing on TV, but comes on every day on channel 16 at 3pm and is impossible to turn off.) And although there tends to be a sense of awe and reverence for American culture, the roommates love to poke fun at its absurdity. Half of the time, I’ve got no room to argue – it’s pretty silly.
When the PS3 was released after Sony chummed the water by limiting distribution, the crazies came out in droves in the States, camping out for days for the highly-coveted social-life killer. Perhaps it points to American overindulgence and unrivaled wealth – a $600 sticker price didn’t seem to slow down the masses.
Anyways, while watching interviews of the Sony faithful championing precious video game consoles, breaking news came across the screen. A riot broke out in Fresno, California, at one store as they sold their final PS3. Cameras panned the carnage – children crying, innocent video games trampled in the street, controllers burned beyond recognition – it was ugly. There were actual fist-fights over the stupid system.
My roomies, taking it all in with as much incredulous awe as me, let out a poignant and biting, “Stupid Gringos.” I had to agree. Brawling over vid games was ridiculous. Isn’t that why you buy them to begin with- to simulate fighting so you don’t have to do it yourself?
The camera got a close up shot of the crowd – and guess what, they were all…wait for it… Latinos. Fresno is 40% Hispanic. The rioting crowd was 100% Hispanic.
I turned to my roomies with a hearty laugh and gave them a much-deserved, “Latinos estupidos!”
It’s even more educational sharing TV time with the roomies. They love to further educate by adding their own social commentary and critiques, especially in how loco the rest of the world is. They’re usually not too far from the truth. The world in which we live is pretty screwy.
Not surprising, their view of the world is piped in through subtitled American shows like America’s Top Model, Desperate Housewives and Springer (they actually have an awful Jerry Springer knock-off. It’s possibly the worst thing on TV, but comes on every day on channel 16 at 3pm and is impossible to turn off.) And although there tends to be a sense of awe and reverence for American culture, the roommates love to poke fun at its absurdity. Half of the time, I’ve got no room to argue – it’s pretty silly.
When the PS3 was released after Sony chummed the water by limiting distribution, the crazies came out in droves in the States, camping out for days for the highly-coveted social-life killer. Perhaps it points to American overindulgence and unrivaled wealth – a $600 sticker price didn’t seem to slow down the masses.
Anyways, while watching interviews of the Sony faithful championing precious video game consoles, breaking news came across the screen. A riot broke out in Fresno, California, at one store as they sold their final PS3. Cameras panned the carnage – children crying, innocent video games trampled in the street, controllers burned beyond recognition – it was ugly. There were actual fist-fights over the stupid system.
My roomies, taking it all in with as much incredulous awe as me, let out a poignant and biting, “Stupid Gringos.” I had to agree. Brawling over vid games was ridiculous. Isn’t that why you buy them to begin with- to simulate fighting so you don’t have to do it yourself?
The camera got a close up shot of the crowd – and guess what, they were all…wait for it… Latinos. Fresno is 40% Hispanic. The rioting crowd was 100% Hispanic.
I turned to my roomies with a hearty laugh and gave them a much-deserved, “Latinos estupidos!”
posted by Bram Fiebelkorn at
12:57 PM
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