"Reality Mentality" by Joan Jett and The Blackhearts is a song that critiques the obsession with fame and the negative impact it has on society. The lyrics suggest that wanting to be a star has become easier and less meaningful as the standards for achieving fame have been lowered. The song highlights how humiliation has become a normal part of entertainment, with people eagerly watching it play out on reality TV shows and gossip blogs. The desire for attention and fame is portrayed as tricky, leading individuals to compete for a place in the spotlight and sacrificing their dignity along the way. The line "It's getting shticky out there, now it's buyer beware" suggests that the entertainment industry, represented by the star machinery, is using tactics to exploit people's desire for fame. The show of schadenfreude, or deriving pleasure from others' misfortune, is being sold to the audience. The song implies that this obsession with fame has become a reality mentality, dominating people's thoughts and actions. The chorus repeats the phrase "Did you look today? You can't look away," emphasizing the addictive and inescapable nature of this reality mentality. It suggests that society is constantly drawn to the spectacle of fame and unable to look past it. Overall, the song paints a critical picture of the modern obsession with fame and the negative consequences it has on individuals and society as a whole. It calls for a reassessment of values and a rejection of the superficiality and deception that come with the pursuit of fame.
