Surviving...

Tonight I got to sit and watch an episode of Survivor; not a show I invest time in. This night on survivor a man whom apparently no body liked was in a position to gain temporary immunity through winning a contest. He could have done it, but opted instead to eat with those that obviously did not like him. Of course these people turned on him, though that truth was not fully realized by him at the time.

What I want to note about this show, is that while the groups on the show and countless viewers mocked and ridiculed him for making that choice and giving up that immunity, the truth is that he, in a fleeting moment, made the only wise choice available. He chose forgiveness, friendship, and trust over his financial gain. For a brief instant he chose to do the right thing, but the people who watched could only see failure.

On the surface his move was foolishness since he could have made a great safe stride forward to winning and gaining power over the game, but I dare say that he exhibited power over the game by making the choice he did. It is fair that his choice was foolish, if the right thing was to deceive and hurt in an effort to gain, but is it as foolish as being on a show like this in the first place? A show where the game is motivated by greed and self-validation, where snakes still whisper lies.

It makes me all the more sad, to think that this show, running for so many seasons, is so well loved and yet has so deeply confused its viewers. Having appealed to a deep seeded sin of mankind, it has won the minds of many. Now, I'm not saying that this guy was a good man. It is likely that he has backstabbed as much or more so than the next man, but for a moment an example was given and so few noticed it. Reminds me of another man who made a short example for all to see and how those who saw it turned away by and large. They are not remotely the same in impact or level of worth, but the concept is the same.