Thursday, November 8, 2012

What's Next: Meth Lab?

Trey Smith


Over the past few days, I've seen a promo for a reality TV series on the Discovery Channel called Moonshiners. As described in its Wikipedia entry,
Moonshiners is an American reality-television series on the Discovery Channel that dramatizes the practice of individuals who produce moonshine, an alcoholic beverage that when made and sold without permits and taxes paid is illegal. The alcohol runs to about 180 proof. The series documents their practice, law-evading techniques and life.
Is this what television has come to? Are television producers so blinded by greed that they will turn ANY activity into fodder for advertising dollars?

If we can glorify moonshining -- make it look attractive, sexy and a way seemingly to make easy tax-free money -- how long will it be before some enterprising media outfit comes up with a show called Meth Lab?

In many ways, yesterday's moonshine operation is today's meth operation. Meth is the scourge of many communities just like moonshine was in its heyday. And yet, here some people are giving moonshine a sort of romantic and heroic tinge.

Sorry, but this whole idea seems rather irresponsible to me.

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