One way to understand what happened at the White House between Zelensky and Trump on March 1st regarding Ukraine’s future is through Trump’s own words: it was about “being good TV in front of the American people.” He also declared that Zelensky was “not in a place to negotiate.” Both of these figures come from the media world. In a sense, Reality TV has moved from television screens to become an integral part of the political and economic system.
This spectacle is made possible by professionals with massive technology infrastructures who broadcast the show live. X, Facebook, CNN, YouTube, Amazon, MSNBC, TikTok, Instagram—these platforms all play a part in this new reality. The most important, and perhaps the only, criterion for Reality TV is ratings. Everything revolves around viewership. There is no coherent narrative, no historical depth, no long-term vision—only the moment, constantly shifting based on audience engagement. People are drawn to the drama of this equation: you are either in or out, depending on your ratings.
Trump: The Architect of Reality TV Politics
Trump is the figure who successfully merged Reality TV with politics. With decades of experience in broadcasting and media, he understands that what is “real” is what happens live, in front of cameras. Nothing else truly exists outside of that space. We saw this during his presidency—from the staged limousine tour outside Walter Reed hospital during his COVID-19 treatment in October 2020 to the dramatic survival of an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. These moments were designed not just for political impact but for television spectacle.
This is the only rationality that prevails now. Technology moves in this direction—just look at the inauguration photos where all the major tech leaders were present, fully participating in the spectacle. The economic system follows this same trajectory. Do we even remember the subprime credit crisis, or has it been lost in the ever-changing digital show?
The Cast of the Global Reality Show
A short definition from Wikipedia captures the essence of Reality TV:
“Reality television shows tend to be interspersed with ‘confessionals,’ short interview segments in which cast members reflect on or provide context for the events being depicted on-screen. Competition-based reality shows typically feature the gradual elimination of participants, either by a panel of judges, by the viewership of the show, or by the contestants themselves.”
Today’s global politics mimic this format. Elon Musk is currently the most entertaining character, making wild gestures and outrageous statements on stage. Putin plays the role of the dictator. Macron is the “cute guy.” Netanyahu is the untouchable. Jeffrey Sachs is positioning himself as the new “leftist” figure. Meanwhile, others have been kicked off the show, like Greta Thunberg, after taking a stance for Palestinians.
Of course, every show needs special guest appearances depending on the moment—such as the “Ukraine Peace Talks” between the U.S. and Russia in Saudi Arabia. To make it even more entertaining, comedians serve as the show’s ironic commentators: figures like Jon Stewart, Bill Maher, and John Oliver mock the spectacle daily, pointing out the absurdity while still existing within the same ecosystem.
Digital Reality: The Expansion of Reality TV
Reality TV has now evolved into Digital Reality, extending far beyond entertainment to encompass nearly every aspect of our daily lives. How much time do we spend in front of screens each day? Today, the screen is practically our entire life—it is our bank, our shopping mall, our food delivery service, our job search engine, our dating platform, our remote workspace, our news source. The list goes on and on.
What would feel more uncomfortable to you: standing naked on the street with your phone, or being fully dressed but without it for a day? Increasingly, our most important interactions take place online. The physical world is becoming more of a space for leisure—going to parks, restaurants, concerts—but even there, people spend their time taking photos and videos in order to feed the digital machine. People are fired via email, over Zoom, or sometimes find out through the news before being officially informed.
In one way or another, our lives are now part of this extended Reality TV, and many people eagerly seek participation in the madness. According to StoryBox, there are roughly 127 million social media influencers worldwide, accounting for about 2.4% of all social media users. Some influencers have audiences exceeding 100 million followers, making them highly valuable to brands seeking exposure.
The Psychological Toll of Living in a Digital Spectacle
This shift into Digital Reality is not without consequences. Attention spans are shrinking, and our ability to process complex issues is diminishing in favor of quick, emotionally charged content. Outrage and spectacle drive engagement, which means algorithms increasingly reward divisiveness over nuance. This leads to a cycle where we are not merely entertained but psychologically conditioned to prioritize virality over critical thinking.
The consequences extend beyond the individual level. Political movements, economic policies, and even wars are now shaped by attention metrics rather than strategic foresight or ethical considerations. If a crisis does not trend, it effectively does not exist. The result is a fragmented society where collective action is often reduced to performative gestures rather than meaningful engagement.
What Comes Next?
As humanists, we have long advocated for the implementation of a more direct democracy. But looking at the reality we face today, we must ask ourselves: Is this truly what we envisioned?
The democratization of media has given everyone a voice, but has reduced complex discourse to viral moments, sound bites, and entertainment. Similarly, expanded tools for connection have transformed us into content for consumption, while governance is judged by its ability to tell people what they want to hear rather than by its effectiveness.
Technological progress itself is not the enemy; it is how we use it that determines its impact. If algorithms prioritize engagement, can they be recalibrated to prioritize depth and informed discourse? If digital spaces thrive on conflict, can they be designed to encourage constructive debate instead?
The challenge ahead is not just recognizing this transformation but deciding how to respond. How do we reclaim depth, meaning, and a sense of real human connection in a world dominated by digital spectacle? If we are to create a future that prioritizes human values over ratings, we must translate our aspirations into a digital reality that serves us—not the other way around. This means actively choosing where and how we engage, supporting platforms that encourage meaningful discourse, and demanding accountability from the systems that shape our perception of reality. Our humanity exists beyond any Reality TV show, and this fundamental truth offers our best hope for transcending our current crisis.
