Opinion
Still in a state of shock, everyone in the world is watching last Tuesday’s horrifying events and awaits the even more horrifying developments which are likely to follow. Everyone except for the Big Brother television program’s 12 guinea pigs… Life itself has proved to be the reality show’s worst enemy. Life contains forceful events which can awaken even the most indifferent subject-viewer. These events also happened on the first day Big Brother was aired in our country. The terrorist strike and the prospect of a response by Washington and its allies immediately brought politics, fertile reflection and argumentation – elements which are detested by television – to the fore… Television ratings confirm this. The much-heralded and much-discussed show was thrashed. And yet, the producers did not think it proper to postpone the show, not even for a little while. If not out of sympathy for universal mourning then, at least, for strategic reasons… Therefore, in the coming period we shall inevitably witness a symbolic clash in which we will take part unintentionally: Big Brother versus real life. A very interesting battle, especially in Greek society, given the sensitivities and particularities which characterize it. The outcome of the battle may help all of us to draw some useful conclusions. By taking part in a collective effort, the Greek government will no doubt have the support of its allies and partners. But at the same time it has to mobilize all national forces in order to safeguard the country at this crucial turning point.
