The American Mirage, How Reality TV Upholds the Myth of Meritocracy

Eunji Kim's "The American Mirage" explores the discrepancy between news media portrayals of the American Dream and the narratives presented in reality TV. The book argues that popular reality shows, with their rags-to-riches storylines, cultivate an overly optimistic view of upward mobility.

This perception, the author contends, influences political attitudes and tolerance towards income inequality.

Kim uses a variety of methods, including surveys, experiments, and content analysis, to support her claims.

The research reveals a causal link between reality TV consumption and beliefs about meritocracy, impacting policy preferences.

Ultimately, the book challenges the assumption that lived experiences always outweigh media influence in shaping political opinions.