Why does the X Factor make for such compulsive viewing? Perhaps because of the sheer self dellusion exhibited by so many of the contestants when confronted with their patent inability to sing. When they come before the judges it is probably the first time in their life they have been subjected to an impartial and brutally frank assessment of their performance -in any field. It is a cultural shock they are simply not equipped to handle.
In the 'all must have prizes' ethos of the state education system these youngsters have been sold such a bill of gooods about their inherent worth, been given such unconditional approval totally divorced from any concept of merit or earned value that they simply cannot take on board any criticism whatsoever. Every comment is met with petulance, disbelief, rage and tantrums.
Hence the compulsive viewing syndrome where the viewer is transfixed by the sheer trainwreck he is confronted with, of people so at odds with reality that the disjunct between it and their delusions provides vast scope for amusement and hillarity.
The government of course breeds this climate of malign egalitariansim. 'No child left behind' captures it perfectly. Imagine a race where that is the objective. It could only ever be realised by handicapping the most able, by holding them back. A level playing field becomes code word for equality of outcome.
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