Are you about to start a new life away from our money...

[Dave]

I know some of you are probally too old for this, I know we both are. If you know of anyone under 25 that leads a self-sufficientish life then read on -
Are you about to start a new life away from our money obsessed world?

TV Documentary wants to hear your story.



Are you happy to live without material possessions and prefer a self sufficient lifestyle? Or are you actively rejecting the consumer lifestyle? Perhaps you have been brought up in this way and are now deciding whether to follow this path?



We want to speak to people aged 16-25 who are seeking an alternative to the material world.

Please contact rebecca@bettytv.co.uk

Or Call 0207 307 6109



Among Betty TV’s previous productions is ‘This Teen Life’ (2003 C4), which won a RTS educational award, and ‘Rude Britannia’ (2004 C4), a series challenging perceptions of teenager's behaviour. This has been nominated for an RTS award. Betty TV has a commitment to making quality programmes for and about young people.

[shiney]

Doh ~ too old! But I am 16, sixteen years older than 25. Does that count?

[Muddypause]

I have to say I'm very suspicious of all these TV people who seem to be interested in other people's lifestyles. They do it, of course, because they want to have a 'product' (TV programme) to 'sell' (usually to the advertisers who finance the programme). It's my conclusion that many media companies are not interested in representing the views of the people they show, but will represent the edited, or even manipulated, views that will most attract an audience. There is some irony in the concept of portraying people who are opting out of consumerism in a way that makes them into a consumer product.

I mean, look at the brief: why are the views and schemes of people older than 25 not being considered? Or, indeed, those of people younger than 16? Why are they deliberately making these age goups irrelevant to their target audience? Can we only relate to people of our own arbitrary age group? Do we live in groups isolated from others by age? If we do, should we perpetuate this, or challenge it?

These days, it seems to me, even documentaries on TV, in fact even news bulletins and current affairs programmes, are sold largely on their entertainment value.

Oh dear! Good to have a moan, sometimes, innit? Celebrity Self-Sufficiency, anybody?

[Wombat]

Bloody good points Stew, the other side of the coin is the TV program based aound the idea of "look at the weirdo's!"

Nev

[Andy Hamilton]

This is now the third one to contact us asking if we know anyone I have also heard of others that are in production/post production. It seems that there will suddenly be a glut of shows about all things self sufficient. I think that the jury is still out as to whether they will be 'look at this idiot' or they will be similar to the first river cottage episodes and be entertaining as well as being informative. Personally I think that they will be more like the former.

[sunpuppy]

It seems to me that self-sufficiency and all things green is becoming more and more prevalent in mainstream society (Up the Revolution!).

My first reaction on hearing about this programme was that (in general)most 16-25 year olds wouldn't know the first thing about self-sufficiency, and the programme makers are missing out on a wealth of knowledge from people over this age, which could go a long way to informing their target audience of 'alternative' ways of living.

Having said that, I think that anything that gets people - of any age, but particuarly when they're young - to make conscious lifestyle choices that benefit the planet has got to be a good thing.

[shiney]

Yeah Hurrrah for old people! (like me)

You are right Sunpuppy, anything that gets through to anyone is GOOD.

I have a four year old who is pretty aware of recycling and not wasting things. I can't throw anything away without him finding a use for it!

[Dave]

I think the cynical response to this particular post is astounding. It is after all an educational program and not a prime time one. If you have ever watched channel 4 in the morning the advertising is minimal- I saw a program recently featuring bits on the Hemp trading company, organic cotton farming and a machine that extracted fiber from nettles to make into clothing.
Besides there is always going to be a look at the freaks when doing anything differing from the mainstream. I have learned to not really give a s**t what other people think, if you are committed to what you do, who cares if someone will take the p*ss, its their problem not mine.

[Andy Hamilton]

I think the cynical response to this particular post is astounding. It is after all an educational program and not a prime time one. If you have ever watched channel 4 in the morning the advertising is minimal- I saw a program recently featuring bits on the Hemp trading company, organic cotton farming and a machine that extracted fiber from nettles to make into clothing.
Besides there is always going to be a look at the freaks when doing anything differing from the mainstream. I have learned to not really give a s**t what other people think, if you are committed to what you do, who cares if someone will take the p*ss, its their problem not mine.

You are still bothered if someone ridicules you Dave! Come on I think you are being a bit harsh on our members here. It is not obvious that it is an educational program. After seeing the glut of reality TV and how they have made people look, I think that anyone in their right mind would at first be wary about these shows.

[Chickenlady]

I think the 'cynicism' was more 'realism' than anything else, but tinged with a bit of optimism that some people would still learn from such a programme.

As Andy says, we have all seen these shows where people try to change their way of living and it all goes t*ts up!

I am pleased to see the subject is even up for discussion on TV, and hope the programme makers manage to do something interesting and informative.

[Dave]

I think you were missing my point Andy, I don't really give a s**t what people think anymore and besides, I didn't feel I was being ridiculed or personally attacked.
I've emailed the person doing the show and she sounded genuine. I just thought it was a shame that the idea for the show wasn't given a chance on a forum that is meant to be a free place for thoughts and ideas. There is often a blurred line between cynasim and realism and didn't see the harm in taking someone at face value for once.