The story that went viral last week about the so-called “hot mugshot guy” Jeremy Meeks raises some very interesting social issues in this new world of all-pervasive media. With television news reports following real-life crimes and court cases in a blow-by-blow, up-close-and-personal style, reality television crews following around cops and customs officers filming them in action, increasingly realistic and graphic CSI-type T.V. shows giving us a voyeur’s view into real-life crime (or is it ?), and interactive computer games like Grand Theft Auto allowing our kids a hands-on, albeit computer generated, experience in committing crime, the question has to be asked – are we seriously losing touch with reality? Society’s apparently increasing fascination with crime and criminals has many wondering whether at least some amongst us may be finding it difficult to distinguish between reality and entertainment.
In real life, there’s nothing sexy about crime. It’s always destructive, tragic and damaging to all involved. I’m sure Mr Meeks, a 30-year-old married man with a three-year-old child, who has already spent nine years in prison for “grand theft” and is now charged with further serious offences, would be the first to tell you that. Reportedly, his wife is furious.
