I’ll admit it, but only because I don’t want to come across as an elitist or intellectual snob. I watch My Super Sweet 16 on MTV. I don’t know why I watch it, but I am drawn to it in the same way I am drawn to touching a hot plate placed in front of me by a waitress after being warned of the potential burn.

I know it’s going to hurt, but I just have to find out for myself.

It’s crap television at its best, or rather its worst, but it is on television and so, as sad as it is to admit, I watch it. Now I understand there are some people out there who may never have seen the show, so let me break down the common plotline that runs throughout each episode.

1.) A snobby, spoiled, self-absorbed young lady (sometimes a guy) believes they are owed an extravagant party rivaling the marriage of Prince Charles and Diana Spencer just because they are turning 16.2.) Somewhere along the line, they don’t get what they want and call their mother a “bitch,” usually with a few more expletives surrounding it.3.) They are allowed to explore all of their elitist fantasies by excluding certain members of their school from the guest list.4.) They get their party, cry a couple of times (this is almost inevitably because underclassmen crash the party) and are “surprised” by a luxury car awaiting their exit from the party.

That is pretty much the show in a nut shell and I don’t know about you, but I am feeling slightly dumber just outlining the show. If we could take this show at simple face value of a stupid show that has passed through the annals of the MTV studio, that would be fine, but MSS16 represents a much larger problem with American youth culture that cannot be ignored.

In each episode we are exposed to a culture that is not only embraced by young adults today, but actually admired. This idea that “fabulousness” and gross consumerism are traits that young adults should aspire to obtain are, frankly, sickening and at the same time indicative of the reputation American culture faces today.

Let’s face it. Countless polls conducted throughout the world reflect distaste with not only American foreign policy, but also culture. We are seen by individuals in countries around the world to be as spoiled, self-centered and abusive as the young ladies who represent our country on MSS16 and probably for good reason. We do very little to promote a healthy and admirable view of our culture when considering the programs we spew out to the world.

Imagine you live in a culture very different from our own, where there is a great respect for one’s elders, say one that follows good ol’ number five from the 10 commandments, and you watch an American teenager verbally abusing her mother because she wanted the tan interior in her Mercedes and not the grey. I would be infuriated and disgusted with the insolence that spewed from that child’s mouth, not to mention the vulgarity that accompanied it. And thus it only makes sense that we are judged by the outlets which we allow to represent us.

Now, I’ve been pretty hard on MTV and MSS16, but the cable station is the most egregious example of an American culture that has declined over the past 15 years. Does anyone remember when The Real World used to be about something?

But our culture has sunk significantly as attention spans have dwindled and the desire for intelligent stimulation has become almost extinct. Three of the top four books listed on Facebook’s “Pulse” poll of most popular books are The Da Vinci Code, Harry Potter and Angels and Demons — books that have as much cultural value as Hilary Duff and are as easy to read and intellectually stimulating as Curious George. Actually, I think I learned way more from Curious George than any of the three (yellow pants and shirt with a yellow hat equals a great look).

Now, what is there to be done about this decline into the drudgery of culture? I really don’t have a sure-fire solution, but I can tell you it starts by turning off the television. Picking up a book for an hour a day will leave you much more stimulated than any marathon MTV will ever run. Well, with the exception of Real World/Road Rules Challenge, because that show is amazing.

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