There are lots of things happening in Sydney this week, namely this event, which is causing chaos on the roads and in the minds of millions. As much as I'd like to comment on this, I think it would be better if I waited until the dust has settled and people aren't quite as vitriolic about the mass (heh) invasion of the pilgrims.

No, today I want to talk about that other bastion of culture - the all pervasive Big Brother. After 8 years, it's finally coming to an end. I was 17 when the show began and was suitably interested in the sociological experiment it professed itself to be. The first season didn't have much of anything going on. Far from leaving housemates to their own devices, the producers forced upon them a weird mix of games and tasks that made them akin to extremely jumpy lab rats. It took me about two seasons of dedicated watching to realise that the social experiment was being plied not on the housemates, but the viewers.

I have never been so disappointed in the youth of today as I am when I watch Big Brother.  They don't know where countries are, they have very little to say on world politics, policies or wars. They don't even have much to say on the latest music, movies or culture (except if it involves Britney or some other vapid starlet). They hold menial jobs and are happy to do so. They don't want an education nor do they want to improve themselves in any way. What they do want is fame. Lots and lots of fame. Fame for doing nothing may be de rigeur these days but at least Paris Hilton capitalised on fake fame to produce some real stuff - products, merchandise..whatever. Either she or her handlers have some market savvy.  

Big Brother contestants have nothing to show for their 15 seconds. Over the years, only three or four contestants stand out in my memory. These were the ones who went in curious about the social situation, went in with something to say or left determined to make something of themselves. All of these contestants appeared in the first three series. Yes, I know producers have to pick housemates based not on intellectual capability but ability to freak others out, but actually being able to find them in such abundance in a country that applauds itself on its brains is scary.

Putting Pamela Anderson in the house was so blatantly shark jumping that it was painful to watch. I am so glad this show is coming to an end. It pains me to see my generation thrive off stupidity and I don't want to have to see it every night on primetime.