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The American mirage : how reality TV upholds the myth of meritocracy / Eunji Kim.
Van Pelt Library PN1992.8.R43 K56 2025
Available
- Format:
- Book
- Author/Creator:
- Kim, Eunji, 1989- Author.
- Series:
- Princeton studies in political behavior
- Language:
- English
- Subjects (All):
- Reality television programs--Social aspects--United States.
- Reality television programs.
- American Dream on television.
- Social mobility--United States.
- Social mobility.
- Individualism--United States.
- Individualism.
- Mass media and culture--United States.
- Mass media and culture.
- Income distribution--United States.
- Income distribution.
- Television and politics--United States.
- Television and politics.
- Genre:
- Informational works.
- Instructional and educational works.
- Physical Description:
- xiii, 219 pages : illustrations, charts ; 24 cm.
- Other Title:
- How reality TV holds up the myth of meritocracy
- How reality television holds up the myth of meritocracy
- Place of Publication:
- Princeton, New Jersey : Princeton University Press, [2025]
- Summary:
- "In an age of growing wealth disparities, politicians on both sides of the aisle are sounding the alarm about the fading American Dream. Yet despite all evidence to the contrary, many still view the United States as the land of opportunity. The American Mirage addresses this puzzle by exposing the stark reality of today's media landscape, revealing how popular entertainment media shapes politics and public opinion in an increasingly news-avoiding nation. Drawing on an eclectic array of original data, Eunji Kim demonstrates how, amid a dazzling array of media choices, many Americans simply are not consuming the news. Instead, millions flock to entertainment programs that showcase real-life success stories, such as American Idol, Shark Tank, and MasterChef. Kim examines how shows like these leave viewers confoundingly optimistic about the prospects of upward mobility, promoting a false narrative of rugged individualism and meritocracy that contradicts what is being reported in the news. By taking seriously what people casually watch every day, The American Mirage shows how rags-to-riches programs perpetuate the myth of the American Dream, glorifying the economic winners, fostering tolerance for income inequality, and dampening support for redistributive policies that could improve people's lives." -- Provided by publisher.
- Contents:
- Pictures in our head
- Entertaining nonpartisan hearts and minds
- A tale of two media
- America's got TV
- Powerful signal
- Meritocratic dilemma
- The entertained states of America.
- Notes:
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 185-209) and index.
- Other Format:
- Online version: Kim, Eunji, 1989- American mirage.
- ISBN:
- 9780691267197
- 0691267197
- OCLC:
- 1443484707
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