How Reality TV Reshaped Our World

“I’m not here to make friends. I’m here to win.” So goes the ultimate reality TV cliché, one popularized by the first season of Survivor, which got broadcast audiences hooked on competitions between telegenic “real people” cashing in the 15 minutes of fame that are the birthright of all Americans. Two decades later, the declaration has proven true of the genre itself. Reality series aren’t exactly well respected; critics, social scientists, and even fans never stop unearthing revelations about their crass manipulations and toxic tropes. Yet despite all the antipathy directed at these programs, they’ve conquered the culture and claimed their prize: our attention. Read more about reality TV’s impact : Subscribe to TIME’s YouTube channel ►► Subscribe to TIME: Get the day’s top headlines to your inbox, curated by TIME editors: Follow us: Twitter: Facebo