How Real are Reality Shows? I just recalled something, the diversion of reality shows from ``reality`` is not wihout causes. These causes may range from ``wider national interest`` to other more henious ideas. Amongst these, commercialism commands a high position.

Any discussion on reality shows and their relationship with ``reality`` and ``commercialism`` might not be complete without mentioning ``The Truman Show`` (starring Jim Carey).

Softer and shorter versions of commercialised reality shows are avaiable in the form of numerous ditergent and cleaner ads that we see with fat houseladies claiming that their filthy toilet WC has been miraculously transformed into a glitering piece of china / procelain which is fit enough to serve soup in !!! ... and all because they used xyzxyzxyz brand of cleaner !!! ..... who knows ... maybe these ads are showing the reality !!! (Ms. Sania Saeed would know !!!)

How Real are Reality Shows? The classification of War Coverage as a reality show reminds me of a movie I once watched, and would like to recommend to all students of media and journalism. The movie was none other than ``Wag the Dog``.

The movie goes one step ahead of reality show style war coverage, it is about a war which is actually ``produced`` for public consumption.

We sure live in some weird times. Art imitates life and vice versa. In the end it all appears to be one big interconnected illusion.

Nice try at writing on a subject which requires a lot of detail.

Assessing Pakistani Science Re: # 381
Point noted Mr. Qurashi. Querry lodged with editor Dawn.
regards,
Adil Mulki.

Anatomy of a Karachi Bomb Blast Re: # 7
Dear Mohar11,
Societies are often influenced in practical terms by the larger events / storms that surf the globe.

I wrote that:
``The responsibility for the presence of undesirable elements in a society (whether jehadi or non-jehadi) does not NECESSARILY rest with the society itself.``

I never denied that the society can be responsible. However, I do hold the view that the society is not ALWAYS responsible. In any case, it is overly simplistic to play verbal volleyball in such matters without an in-depth and objective analysis.

Moreover, if we accede to your apparant views that societies are responsible for such occurances entirely and that the rest of the world has no influence in such matters, then my dear friend, should we assume that you are stating that the Indian society is RESPONSIBLE for the existence of all of the following??? :

MEGHALAYA :
Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC)
People’s Liberation Front of Meghalaya (PLF-M)

TRIPURA:
All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF)
National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT)
Borok National Council of Tripura (BNCT)

NAGALAND:
National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) – NSCN(IM)
National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) – NSCN (K)
Naga National Council (Adino) – NNC (Adino)
Revolutionary United Front (RUF)

MIZORAM:
Bru National Liberation Front

ASSAM:
United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA)
Adivasi Cobra Force (ACF)
Dima Halim Daogah (DHD)
Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO)


MANIPUR:
Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP)
Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL)
Manipur People`s Liberation Front (MPLF)
People`s Liberation Army (PLA)
People`s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK)
United National Liberation Front (UNLF)
Kuki Liberation Army (KLA)
Kuki National Army (KNA)
Kuki National Front (KNF)
Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA)
National Socialist Council of Nagaland -- Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM)
People`s United Liberation Front (PULF)
United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF)
Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA)

.....whew... that was a long list so I omitted a huge chuck for convenience. Moreover, I deliberately omitted the groups/parties pertaining to Punjab and Kashmir, because I know that you would be tempted to assign all responsibility for them to external elements even though you have demostrated your disbelief in the fact that ````The responsibility for the presence of undesirable elements in a society (whether jehadi or non-jehadi) does not NECESSARILY rest with the society itself.``

Wouldn`t it be convenient if everyone had a ``charlie and his aunt....`` to blame and did make good use of them for a change?

Anatomy of a Karachi Bomb Blast Re: # 5
That would be a very naive stance to take. Far more complex dynamics are at work behind such occurances. The responsibility for the presence of undesirable elements in a society (whether jehadi or non-jehadi) does not necessarily rest with the society itself.

Anatomy of a Karachi Bomb Blast Re: # 3
M. Asadi sahib,
relax... the reference to the mysterious appearance of the poem was just an attempt in sarcasm. As it is, no one had claimed responsibility for the appearance of the poem and nobody at the Ministry of Education had a clue as to where it appeared from - A sign from God, I tell you !!!

Assessing Pakistani Science Re: # 370
Mr. Quraishi,
I read some of your earlier interacts relating to this article and how the source ``Dawn`` was not attributed at chowk. I read an article on the editorial page in Dawn today (March 02, 2006). The article was titled ``A Lot is Rotten in the State of Denmark`` by Mr. Karamatullah K. Ghori.
Interestingly, I had read an article with the same title, by the same author at Chowk last week. The version appearing in Dawn is cosmetically different from the one posted at Chowk.
Just curious about what exactly is the ``norm`` and how different is Chowk`s act of Publishing Mr. Hoodbhoy`s article from Dawn`s act of publishing Mr. Ghori`s article.

---

by the way read your recent pieces in Dawn. A dark pleasure as always. Dark cause the point highlighted are disturbing at times. Pleasure cause atleast they are being highlighted.

The Kingdumb of Far Far Away… Re: # 1
Well, I addressed the cliches when they were not so worn out but due to my schedule there was some delay in making the submission and then there was some further delay by chowk editors. .... the result.... I appear to be ``addressing worn out cliches`` :).
Thanks for the encouragement.

The Kingdumb of Far Far Away… Well, I addressed the cliches when they were not so worn out but due to my schedule there was some delay in making the submission and then there was some further delay by chowk editors. .... the result.... I appear to be ``addressing worn out cliches`` :).
Thanks for the encouragement.