Commercializing fear

Flick through the channels on any given night and chances are you will come up against reality -- reality TV that is. The most prominent and popular subgenre of these shows is reality-horror, which feature volunteers, often scared to the point of frenzy, or unconsciousness.

On shows like Gentayangan (The Wandering) and Dunia Lain (Another World), for example, volunteers are dared to stay at "haunted" venues and test their mettle against the supposed occupants: ghosts and spirits. Sometimes, nothing happens. Other times, the subject exerts their will to bring these "supernatural beings" under control. Or, loses out to possession. Then, come the convulsions -- the fit is uncontrolled as the subject verges on hysteria, and finally, passes out.

Reprieve does come, but only after the performance of some kind of exorcism by a shaman. And, those who can survive the allotted time, usually until dawn, receive cash prizes that can reach Rp 1.5 million.

Another version of reality-horror is the show that gives audiences the privilege of knowing what the subject doesn't. The subject's friends are pitted against him, as he is unwittingly abandoned at a location -- the only one left unawares of the joke. "Specters" appear, one after the other. A ghoulish fantasy that perturbs the subject, until he cries and screams out. Again, hysteria, but -- just before the final bow out -- the hoax is revealed. The show's name is Paranoid.

Reality shows, or "unscripted TV" to be precise, are all the rage. They are inexpensive to produce and rate highly. Furthermore, almost any contrived situation can be made into a reality show. Cable viewers here are even relayed a U.S.-based channel called Reality TV.

The most basic explanation for the popularity of these shows is that they play on people's deeply conceited satisfaction in seeing others embarrassed.

Indonesia, with its strong culture of mysticism and belief in the unknown, has created its own niche of reality-horror. Unpalatable though it may seem, millions of viewers here, almost every other night, delight in seeing others recoil in psychological torture.

Our personal dislike for such shows may be rebutted by an argument of aesthetical perception. But, the fact that people are subject -- albeit willingly -- to psychological duress is something that should be of public concern.

Producers of such shows put unprepared people under severe mental stress, which could be viewed as assault. Are they unaware that psychological wounds can take a lifetime to heal?

Observing the suffering of others has become a celebrated form of entertainment. At a recent taping of one such show, locals flocked to watch a giant screen, and VIP seats were taken up by local dignitaries. Like spectators at a soccer match, they were thrilled by the sight of their neighbor in moments of terror.

Shows concerning mysticism, ghosts and ghouls are common. But, unlike previous shows, these are aimed more at "tormenting" their subjects. They do not encourage audiences to seek a higher moral purpose or question their beliefs. Neither are they educational or enlightening, art or culture. No, these shows simply encourage us to fear the unknown.

We believe these shows have no social redeeming value. They breed fear and disseminate paranoia in a society that is all too ready to believe the irrational, rather than intelligent analysis.

F.D. Roosevelt said "there is nothing to fear but fear itself".

Oh, but people like to be frightened. Horror is a tried-and- true box-office formula. Some of cinema's classics became so by scaring moviegoers out of their seats.

Reality-horror is an entirely different case. From the outset we are aware that horror movies are just fiction. "Reality" shows, however, begin with the premise that they are just that, reality!

We do not advocate the censorship of such programs. Freedom of expression is an artery for human creativity. And, "garbage" is sometimes the necessary bi-product of creativity.

We do not stand on the pretext of high moral ground in expressing distaste for such shows. For us, torture is torture, whether physical or psychological. The popularity of such shows is a sign of our deprecating society, and it should be a point of worry and concern.