I do see a very worrying trend in Hell's Kitchen, in how the candidates argue, justify and deal with failure, defeat or resistance. If this is a reflection of current western society, I fear for humanity.
It is rare that candidates analyze their weaknesses in any level of detail. Ramsay might kick their asses and confront them with their faults (very harshly I might add), but they rarely do anything with these. Instead they turn attention to the faults of others. There's no introspection.
Corollary to not seeing their own weaknesses, candidates usually compensate weaknesses with a display of effort. Truthfully working hard and perseverance under the most difficult of circumstances are virtues, but the trend now is to cover up the biggest of failures with having "fight". Last time I checked "fight" doesn't compensate for "suck".
Candidates have the notion that they live in a free society, and can opine what they want, when they want. And they should be respected for having an own opinion, having unique thoughts, and independent actions. Unfortunately for them, this doesn't fly in Gordon Ramsay's kitchen. If you fail in his kitchen, he will tell you. If you fail badly, he will tell you. In no uncertain vocabulary. If you fail in the worst, dumbest way, he is under no obligation to encourage, help, be nice to you. In fact, you can expect an ass-whuppin' and you will accept it.
Finally candidates try to win arguments by increasing volume. As if any person can be persuaded because he or she didn't hear you the first time. And the candidate is actually offended that the first time wasn't understood. Madness.
And while all this epic fail makes for brilliant television (and in fact the only reality tv I can stomach), it still makes me sad for humanity and society at large. It's deterioration, it's like seeing a loved one growing more ill every day - and there's nothing you can do about it.
No comments:
Post a Comment