Something Real

Something Real

YA fiction
"I can't believe it. Despite all her promises, my mom has
finally given in to Meta Reel. After four camera free years, the cast
of Baker's Dozen--my family--is back on the air."
For the first thirteen years of her life Bonnie Baker,
protagonist of Heather Demetrios' Something Real, grew up on a reality
tv show. In fact she was born on camera. She wasn't an only for
long. By the time she was ten she had twelve siblings. An audience
of millions was privy not only to a weekly show, but to 24/7 live
streaming with very few parts of the house off limits to cameras.
When Bonnie took an overdose of pills and her parents broke up
the show went off the air, presumably forever. Going into her senior
year of high school, she has a fairly normal (other than the
overabundance of siblings) life. She's a regular high school girl
whose classmates don't connect her with a defunct series. It's all
she's ever wanted.
So imagine how she feels when she gets home after school to see
her house being transformed into something posher for the resuming
show which is about to start shooting. She can't opt out of
participating. Unless all the kids cooperate the media company will
pull the plug and sue for breach of contract. Not to mention her mom
and new stepdad seem to prefer the on camera life. In fact Bonnie and
brother Benny (also a senior) seem to be the only ones who aren't
pleased with the situation.
Although very few people are compelled to be reality tv stars,
many are victimized by internet oversharing. How about revenge porn?
How about the posting and tagging of embarassing photos, some of which
could have serious academic or career consequences?
How do we protect the privacy we need to feel comfortable while
respecting that of the people around us? What does it mean to do no
harm in an increasingly online world? Something Real can be an
impetus for private reflection or open discussion about an aspect of
life in which ethical considerations lag far behind technogical
capabilities.
On a purrrsonal note, it was a good weekend with a little drama.
Sunday a little after Tobago and I attended zoom church I by mistake
locked myself out of the house. Eugene wasn't due home for hours.
And I'd half finished the only book I had outside. Luckily I was able
to get help from the fire department and have a productive afternoon.
This week I'm eating lots of 100% iron cereal. Wednesday my friend
Connie and I have a blood donating date. I am really eager to start
on my eleventh gallon. (Jules)
And then after she donates I haz to make sure she rests up. (Tobago)
A great big shout out goes out to all the fire fighters who help
people and cats out.
Tobago and Jules Hathaway


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