Cynthia Schneider: The surprising spread of "Idol" TV

http://www.ted.com Cynthia Schneider looks at two international "American Idol"-style shows -- one in Afghanistan, and one in the United Arab Emirates -- and shows the surprising effect that these reality-TV competitions are creating in their societies.

TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Featured speakers have included Al Gore on climate change, Philippe Starck on design, Jill Bolte Taylor on observing her own stroke, Nicholas Negroponte on One Laptop per Child, Jane Goodall on chimpanzees, Bill Gates on malaria and mosquitoes, Pattie Maes on the "Sixth Sense" wearable tech, and "Lost" producer JJ Abrams on the allure of mystery. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts. Closed captions and translated subtitles in a variety of languages are now available on TED.com, at http://www.ted.com/translate. Watch a highlight reel of the Top 10 TEDTalks at http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/top10

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Cynthia
• Schneider
• TEDTalks
• TED
• talks
• American
• Idol
• TV
• television
• Afghanistan
• United
• Arab
• Emirates
• reality
• competition
• culture

[jwil2570]

Yeah, but you have a car! Your automatically on the better half of humans. No, we mustn't feel satisfied! Lol, space ships is our next goal. I call it, keeping up with the Jetsons. "But hun, the Jetsons have one."

[tyrannicoystercult]

@golddragon1967

this is a non-sequitor.

other posts also seem to think that a format of voting for things that one likes is somehow inherently western or inherently shitty television, forgetting the important part is the people using it: any format must be filled by content, created by people. this is a beautiful part of how each city or show can be unique if its makers actually try and use passion.

[UNSEEN001]

Ninja's can compete as well !!!!!! AMAZING!! We're going across all kinds of boudaries these days. What if they lose though, could be dangerous.

[kamjarfadai]

@bigtigard I would say most of the western world is centuries ahead right now, and by respecting these ancient barbaric cultures we will only slow down their progress of getting with the times. Us criticizing certain parts of their cultures will lead them to question and hopefully to improve their culture. I think our morals and values should come from secular and reasonable discussion, not from absolute theology or other superstitious believes.

[kamjarfadai]

@bigtigard I´m actually Iranian, and no i don´t believe all cultures deserve the same respect. Would you respect the Mayan blood sacrifices, just because they are part of their culture? A lot of cultures are still barbaric in that sense. I judge them by how well they uphold the universal human rights, like equality between men and women (Hetro- and Homosexuals ) and their people's freedoms.

[bigtigard]

You would think that only if you are an Idiot your self..-:)

You have to understand the language and the culture, to appreciate what is happing here. It is sad that you cant see pass the veil. As world citizens we have to start respecting each other culture. We the people of the ancient culture, respect the Western world, when are they going to respect as people? Thank you.

[9886635574]

So, you're saying democracy has its flaws. Ofcourse it does, numbnuts.. Could you have found a better alternative that works, genius?

Would you rather live in Iran and have your balls cut off for speaking out against the regime, or have yourself sentenced for life in China?

[9886635574]

Well, I assume you will get to the point soon, fruitcake.

[eaacbcs]

And I'm not saying that Democratic is better or worse than the political system in other countries. However, everytime the Democratic system gets into a new country, it's the liberal ideology what gets into it to. And that's something nowadays it's bringing new social and economic problems to those countries (I know there are lots of benefits too), but it's not an answer to those countries.

[eaacbcs]

Hahaha Damn! The more you post something, the more stupid you are.

I never said you invade democratic countries. LEARN TO READ ASSFACE.

It's ppl like u who need to be killed in those wars...

[9886635574]

@eaabcs - Hey pigface, I don't see us invading other democratic countries. It's the Islamic fools who have a beef with us. If you think you can play us around, we will fuck the living daylights outta y'all. Period.

Oh yeah, there ain't no free lunch either. Get screwed.

[eaacbcs]

"What you doing on the Internet, pig?"

Wow... I've read all both comments and I can SURELY say MPControl is not the pig here...

And by the way... "We stand for freedom."

Yes, but freedom for you Americans to invade other countries. Whenever you invade another country, you always place your big companies, there are always, and I mean, ALWAYS politcal and economic motivations behind that "We stand for freedom" phrase.