Currently we are at the end run of polish edition of Big Brother reality show that wasn’t present in Polish television since 2008. Big Brother is a show that feels a lot like a social experiment. Group of people is being locked down in a house and are being watched by dozens of cameras. Of course they are completely cut from the outside world. Their mobile phones are taken away, and no information are being delivered. They need to obey certain rules and are being given task and weekly assignments that need to fulfill for different kind of rewards. At the end of each week participants have to nominate two other members of the group to leave house/ Also one of the participant nominated in previous week have to leave the Big Brother home, that is subjected to viewers votes.
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It may sound as yet another reality show like many others out there, but I have to respectfully disagree. There is a certain twist to everything that happens there, tasks and assignments are meant to break some people down, forcing them to do what they don't feel comfortable doing. Participants are being set up against themselves, groups are being formed and people start to gang up on one another. This of course may not sound like something interesting, but quite frankly with modern technology and ability to stream live 24/7 audience can get hole new perspective on human behavior, bot in psychological and sociological aspects. Due to tasks that that are adding up more restrictions, giving some people more power and creating others subjected to that power, we can observe people losing their masks they choose to wear. I think even participants themselves are often surprised about their behavior.
This experiment it's not as extreme as Stanford Prison Experiment under lead of Dr. Zimbardo that took place in 1971 where students were divided in groups of prisoners and guards , but in many cases BB creates even more opportunities to look into people's minds. We can observe how they change in the presence of group and how they react and leave among people they are not used to in they normal lives. This is actually very interesting on its own. People that were chosen to participate in the program come from variety of social ground and have very different social skills. That very often creates an explosive mixture that can blow up any moment.
- Have you ever watched any Big Brother show?
- Would you agree to participate in some kind social experiment?
- Would you feel comfortable being observed all the time?
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I heard about the experiment ast Stanford that you are talking about. I think it was cancelled due to cruelty of some "guards" am I right? And before experiment both prisoners and guards were just a calm and peacefull students. Big Brother is for me a indicator of how low and uncivilised our society is. Why would anyone would like to watch something like that? It's unethical. As for Stanford experiment I can partially uderstand because it was a scientific experiment but BigBrother is not an experiment. It's a show desinged to humiliate participants to the joy of the crowd- almost like at colloseum in ancient Rome...
ReplyDeleteYou are correct about the Stanford experiment, it ended up at 6th day since start, it went completely out of control. Frankly BB is doing pretty much same thing, it gives some participants certain power for some time, but that person needs to control him/herself not to abuse it, because don't know who and what power will have later on. So on the outside it may look like the Colosseum you have mentioned, but I'm more interested in this inside part.
Delete1 I watched a big brother in childhood, I dont know why I liked it and I waited for the next episodes. However, now I didnt want to be watching this unfortunately.
ReplyDelete2. Probably not, life in society is enough for me to get to know everything here.
3 No. I hate it when I am watched, I like when nobody pays attention to me and I feel that I am in a room without large numbers of people. I feel even weird when the camera is looking at me in public space.
Yes, I used to watch the Big Brother program. But I don’t like watching someone around the clock. I don’t see any sense in this. I think that if I took part it was just out of curiosity as to how it is. For a longer period of time it is uncomfortable and becomes boring. I have never been watched all the time, and if so, I did not even feel it. I guess it's uncomfortable when someone follows you even to the bathroom. I do not like this form of television program.
ReplyDeleteI saw some episodes from the first season, but today nobody will convince me to watch this “show”. Taking part in it sounds ridiculous for me, but people who are looking for fame and want to promote themselves, may find it as a good idea, so I can understand motivation of participants. However they probably didn’t imagine a pressure and stress which is connected with being observed all the time and being evaluated by thousands of people. I also wouldn’t agree to take part in social experiment. I would feel very uncomfortable in situation which aim is hidden and rules are unclear and I hate being observed.
ReplyDeleteI also thought that participants are most like looking for fame, but looking at some of them I'm not quite sure if this apply to all. On the side note, some of them were actually picked from people that are already kind of celebrities and that I think if kind of unfair.
DeleteHave you ever watched any Big Brother show?
ReplyDeleteNo, I never watched any Big Brother show. I don't like watching TV in general, only some documentaries from time to time.
Would you agree to participate in some kind social experiment?
Absolutely not :) Especially if it's being filmed, I respect my privacy and footage from that kind of experiment could be used against me in the future.
Would you feel comfortable being observed all the time?
As I stated above, I would be not. I value my privacy a lot so being observed all the time is not an option I would ever consider.
I have never wathed Big Brother. I can agree that it may be interesting show in terms of psychology, but mostly I see people who act miserably for money. If we treat this show as social experiment we can discover how people can hide their true face, but I think that most of them act differently to arouse interest and make more money by staying longer in show. If this is true, result of social experiment will be worthless. I appreciate my privacy so I wouldn't feel comfortable being observed all the time and maybe that's another reason I think that this kind of TV shows are pointless.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever watched any Big Brother show?
ReplyDeleteWould you agree to participate in some kind social experiment?
Would you feel comfortable being observed all the time?
Yes, I was watching it a little many years ago, when it started in Poland. It got my attention because it is an interesting topic, but I am not so eager to take part in such an experiment myself, especially when I wrote more about the Stanford University experiment with students as prisoners and guardians. It was terrible thing for me and many experiments can go wrong - such is the nature of experiments. That is why people should not make ones, which can lead to people suffering. Although Big Brother is rather not dangerous type of such an event, people there are exposed to all people outside who want to watch them. There is no privacy, both physical nor psychical. It can be not only uncomfortable, but it can also affect on their future, e.g. problems with finding a new job, so I would be really careful before agreeing on participation in such show.
I'm glad to hear that you took deeper look into the Stanford experiment, its really well described as well. I personally like observing people in different situations, not to judge but rather to find some patterns in behaviors and so on. But can't see myself taking part in any kind of experiment myself :)
DeleteI'm not used to watch it because I'm not big fan of this show. I watched some small bits of it but I don't think it is so interesting show.
ReplyDeleteI would not agree for such kind of experiment. I think that people more suitable for that are people with more specific or interesting character, which tends to gather more attention with leads to more interest on viewers. Spending so much time with people you don't know in one house would not be comfortable. Specially it also means you don't have any contact with outer world and family. By taking part in such experiment I would also had to get used to million of people watch and judge any of my move. I think it would lead my family to uncomfortable situations.
I would not feel good about it. Everybody need some time of privacy and to be alone (or with family) even really social people. Such moments helps you rest and regenerate.
I think that having interesting character is one thing that producers have in mind, but I feel that what they really want is clash of characters. I can't say that all people that was selected for the show were interesting, but they certainly added to the dynamic of the groups.
DeleteI watched the first season of a big brother. It seemed to me something innovative and interesting at the time, but it should be noted that I was a child. It was funny to watch those people in everyday situations. I even had the opportunity to talk to one of the participants who visited the family in my neighbourhood. They were some kind of celebrities. I don’t think I would like to take part in something like that. In present times, everything seems to be done for the show. I certainly would not feel comfortable in such a situation.
ReplyDeleteI watched Big Brother as I was small, the first editions. I remember the characters Gulczas and Manuela. I have not seen the latest edition, I do not even know who is there. To tell the truth, I would agree to participate in such a program if the prize would be encouraging for me. However, it probably would not be a pleasant experience for me. I am a person who does not like to be the center of attention, in addition on TV.
ReplyDeleteI have never watched Big Brother for more than a minute. Until now, people who participated in the program considered it not very clever, no momentary fame. Considering the program as a social experiment for a moment seemed interesting to me, but I do not want to waste my time watching people who have it too much.
ReplyDeleteI would never deliberately disagree on participation in a social experiment. Dr. Zimbardo's experiment, quoted in the article, was followed by strong criticism.
I feel comfortable watching, provided I can observe the observer.
I used to, first or second edition, Martyna Wojciechowska as a presenter, Janusz Dzięcioł – winner :P But now… No. why should I? I don’t have television, but even if I had, now I’m not interested. In my opinion, now there are only people that want to become popular at all costs and will do ANYTHING to become celebrity or something like that. That’s pathetic. I wouldn’t take part in this kind of social experiment. It’s like prison and your every move is watched by millions of people. No.
ReplyDeleteI didn’t have a chance to watch any Big Brother episode, but I’ve heard about it. I probably wouldn’t agree to take part in this experiment because the perspective that I will be observed all the time seems terrifying for me. I feel extremely uncomfortable while being observed. Privacy is fundamental right of each individual and I don’t want to abnegate it.
ReplyDeleteAs you said, privacy is fundamental right, but some people willing decide to let go of it, I don't think its up to anyone to judge anyone else's choices however extreme the may sounds.
Delete1. Have you ever watched any Big Brother show?
ReplyDeleteI think I watched few episodes back in the days when the show was popular in Poland in the early 2000's. At a time I was a kid and I don't understand much of it so as an sensible adult I didn't.
2. Would you agree to participate in some kind social experiment?
Can't imagine this kind of situation. I won't say that there is no such amount of money I won't did it for but as long as such programs are rather really low paid and participants just wonder to become 'famous' - it's not my cup of desire.
3. Would you feel comfortable being observed all the time?
Totally not and that's why I won't be able to work in company that is checking time when you enter and leave office. Some people like this kind of attention and that's why not everyone can be TV host.
I think that this program is worthless trash. I'm not going to waste my life watching it.
ReplyDeleteoh wow, you are true speaker, was it worth your precious time to even come up with that one line?
DeleteIt is not that I consider my time to be extremely precious. It's just that these types of programs are absolutely worthless in my opinion. However, if someone likes to watch them, it's not my business.
DeleteHave you ever watched any Big Brother show?
ReplyDeleteI have never watched Big Brother but I did watch few episodes of a similar show. I think such shows are boring and don't intend to ever watch another episode.
Would you agree to participate in some kind social experiment?
No. Stanford Prison Experiment is just one of many examples where things went wrong. There are other examples like "Gua The Human Chimp", "The Monster Study" or "Milgram obedience experiment" were people even died. Serious breach of ethics is often an integral part of psychological experiments.
Would you feel comfortable being observed all the time?
Absolutely not. People seeing and judging everything I do sounds like a nightmare.
Have you ever watched any Big Brother show?
ReplyDeleteI've seen few episodes but never really liked watching it for longer time. I think that the biggest problem were people which where invited to such "experiments".
I would never agree to participate in something like big brother. You lose all Your privacy and people start to follow Your whole life event after show ends. You are becoming star alike but people laugh at You most of the time and with that I think that comes lack of comfort because few years after show ends You're still being observed by people You don't know.
I watched Big Brother maybe few times only back when I was a child, but I didn't find it interesting. I can understand what drives people to watch this TV show, but this is definitely not my thing. I wouldn't mind attending a social experiments, obviously it depends what kind of experiments we are talking about, but I would do my best to help scientists in their reaserches. Having this ugly feeling of someone watching you all the time, your every move, must be really annoying. I couldn't stand it for too long, no doubt.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever watched any Big Brother show?
ReplyDeleteI remember it from my childhood, but I didn't watch the new season.
Would you agree to participate in some kind social experiment?
No, it's not my cup of tea :)
Would you feel comfortable being observed all the time?
NOT AT ALL. It's a show for people who want to shine for a few days. After that, the world will forget about them. XXI century is really interesting because we love idiots more than someone who deserves people attention.
Yes I watched this program and I wonder: Who is more stupid, people taking part in such a program or people watching this program.
ReplyDeleteRather, I wouldn't agree to any social experiment, I certainly wouldn't take part in such a program. I don't know how it is to be constantly watched because no one is watching me all the time but it seems to me that it is very uncomfortable.
Have to say that not many people admit doing something only to call themselves stupid in the same sentence :)
Delete1. I have not but it was quiet noisy when Big Brother came into Poland, so I’ve heard about it. But I guess now it can be more interesting than last time when internet and smartphones weren’t in usage. Today people are hardly addicted to this things and in my opinion even participants should be aware of their new habits in this show.
ReplyDelete2. Hardly no. I live my own life and I also got a job. I couldn’t stand if people could watch me naked in their computers. I remember that Big Brother publicised some video records from bedrooms.
3. Of course not. I’d be shocked if somone had.
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ReplyDeleteIn my opinion this show is immature thought I never fully watched it. Social experiments are deploy in order to run the numbers in given topic but Big Brother is different. This show create opportunity for viewers to gain misleading impression of being in control. You can choose who is worth to stay in the house and who must leave its similar to anonym comments posted on internet. The "celebrities" of this show put on pedestal becouse of being on air. I just don't get it, when we start to mix worth with known and put interest in false figures. I'm not saying they are bad people but is taking advantage of the popularity helps society in any way? It's only my opinion but social experiments should provide fresh perspective on the subjects. I have no idea what are a benefits of this show but maybe it's becouse I'm not interested in other people's lives.
ReplyDeleteI didn't watch Big Brother or any other reality show. I like experiments, but only those where I control everything :) I wouldn't agree to participate in such an experiment. Such experiments help to draw some conclusions and explore various phenomena that take place in society and in certain behaviors. I would rather read about them or listen to them than participate in them. I have never been observed for a long time, at least I don't know about it. So I can't say who is free in such a situation.
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ReplyDeleteI do not like Big Brother – it is all staged and extremely cringy. I prefer so called Patostreaming instead – no acting, everything is completely natural. Surprisingly enough, this kind of entertainment is growing in popularity and pato-actors can earn much money on this. These days, Krzysztof Konowicz (already well known for his campaign and participation in presential election in 2006 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nX1VQwg6jxU) is very popular patostreamer – 81 k subscriptions on youtube – his mentally disabled friend and alcoholic (also former prisoner) has in turn 73 k. Their fans frequently visit them ,travelling sometimes hundreds of kilometers just to give them some money and have a photo together. I believe scientists should really turn their attention to this phenomenon – today lazy people, unemployed for many years (about 20 in case of Kononowicz) have more than hard working people – I am really curious what the future brings 😊.
I have never watched Big Brother and honestly I am not a big fan of TV shows. I think they are suited for the masses - ordinary dumb people. In addition to that it is all probably staged and nothing happens on it's own - spontaneously. And it is so rude, people swearing all the time and behaving very badly.
ReplyDelete1. I haven't been watching TV for years now and I don't feel that I missed something. And since I am not polish I have never heard about Big Brother TV show.
ReplyDelete2. No because I'm not a social person. I highly appreciate my personal space and I do not like strangers in it.
3. No because I'm not a social person and being watched by someone breaks my personal space and makes me feel uncomfortable.
I watched this program, and I do not know what to say. Television destroys the brain, but this program has overcome all embarrassing records. it's worse than Warsaw shore. I think that this was a social experiment at the beginning. In 2005. Now it's just commercial.
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