"SURVIVOR VS THRIVER"

WHAT IS SURVIVOR: “The show maroons a group of strangers (as one or more tribes) in a desolate locale, where they must provide food, water, fire, and shelter for themselves, while competing in challenges to earn either a reward, or immunity from expulsion from the game in the next of the successive votes for elimination. While much rarer than elimination by vote, medical conditions, such as injury or infection, have eliminated several contestants. The last two or three survivors face a jury historically comprising of at least the last seven players voted off. That jury interrogates the final few, and then votes for the winner of the title of Sole Survivor and a million dollar prize. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivor_(U.S._TV_series)

Oh I just think it would be a fascinating challenge, not to mention one of those million dollar ideas I am so fond of dreaming up, to create a reality show to replace that shameful offering which rakes in loads of advertising dollars televising humanity at its worst. The new show would be called “Thriver” and it would be an honorable offering designed to depict humanity at its best. The challenge of the show would be to see just how selfless, altruistic, compassionate and generous individuals can be as they discover how to work together. The strongest personalities will not seek to dominate, debase and destroy those with more pliable personalities. It will be the delightful endeavor of all members of the team to discover the gifts and strengths of all, helping them cultivate those strengths rather than dwelling on their weaknesses. The goal of “Thriver” would be to gather, not isolate, include, not exclude, bring along, not vote off, encourage, not ignore, strengthen, not weaken, finally building up the community instead of tearing it down one soul at a time. Survivors plot. Thrivers plan. Survivors scheme. Thrivers dream. Survivors boot. Thrivers recruit.
O, Lord how we need a new reality and a new program to be part of our weekly television fair! I keep hearing that we are a visual society. We learn visually; we are influenced by what we see. If the television were a mirror would we really want to see ourselves as people motivated by contempt for our fellows and greed for fame and riches? “Thriver” would be worth watching, clearly showing us the best of ourselves, inspiring us as well, with what an intentional community of gathered individuals can accomplish not only for their mutual benefit, but for the benefit of others.
So, now that we have the format for our show. We are left to wonder who would sponsor such an undertaking. Who would pay the costs to air Thriver? And what kind of prize would be offered to the Thriver contestants, since all are destined to be winners? Survivor offers a million dollars to a singular winner. Their sponsors have been big name advertisers like Campbell’s Soup, General Motors and Proctor & Gamble. I read recently that some of these sponsors are dropping their sponsorship of the show since learning that the new season is to be racially segregated pitting teams of black, Asian, Hispanic and Caucasian “islanders” against each other. Now isn’t that tasteful television!! The producers are well aware that their decision is highly controversial, but they believe that controversy equals viewers, and viewers equal cash. Maybe Campbell’s Soup with their tummy soothing, heart warming, delicious “Hmmm-Hmm-goodness” will drop Survivor like a hot potato for promoting racism and gang tactics as a survival game. In my opinion, indulging in such ludicrous greed-driven thinking promises to set society back 70 years or more. Maybe Campbell’s Soup will jump at the chance to sponsor “Thriver” instead. “It could happen.”

Blessings, Rev. Amanda

P.S. Please don’t give the show Survivor one minute of your valuable time. I had originally thought to create “Thriver” as a new game for our Youth Group to play. Who knows, maybe they are clever enough to create it themselves?