Power, Media, and Exploitation—Why Our Thirst for Drama Can Risk Real Harm

You sit on the couch, eyes flickering as the reality TV show heaps its next surprise onto the shrieking contestant. The audience at home laughs and judges—so do you. Tomorrow, everyone buzzes about 'the meltdown,' and the cycle continues. But behind each outburst is a person, edited for entertainment and whose inner life—full of pain, confusion, dreams, and struggle—gets flattened into just another punchline or lesson.

Jon Ronson reflects on his own role as a journalist, weaving together stories from the edges of rationality to entertain, educate, and sometimes, inadvertently, exploit. Reality TV, psychology, and even education converge on a single truth: we’re often driven to seek the drama of the 'right kind of madness,' finding comfort when others seem one slippery step beyond our own anxiety. Yet this appetite can turn into exploitation, as context and empathy are stripped away with each new clip or meme.

Research on media effects and social psychology warns that repeated exposure to dehumanized or dramatic depictions can erode empathy and normalize stigma. Mindful consumption means asking what’s left offscreen, and whether our choices contribute to understanding—or to harm.

Pay attention to the types of narratives you love—are they built around larger-than-life, troubled, or chaotic personalities? Pause to examine what’s not shown or said. Next time you’re tempted to share a wild story, pause and reflect on how it shapes the wider conversation about mental health and difference. Choose shows, stories, or accounts that offer full context, agency, and respect, or make room for real listening before laughing at or judging others for their struggles. Decide tonight to watch, read, or share at least one narrative that restores complexity and compassion.