I discovered a shocking new part of myself—and there's no turning back

The MoJo Daily newsletter, Monday through Friday. [View in browser]( [Support our nonprofit journalism]( [Mother Jones Daily Newsletter](     June 25, 2024 I'm 36, which puts me squarely in the demographic known as "early middle age." Now, I'm well aware that 36 is far from "old." But these days, I am genuinely shocked when I stumble across a new and undiscovered part of myself. Ask yourself: When was the last time you truly picked up a hobby? Cemented a new close friendship. Shifted your worldview. I had the great fortune of it happening once again, like thunder in the distance, back in December with my first taste of reality television—and, reader, before you dismiss me, let me tell you that [I have not been the same ever since](. The genre has upended the way I view the discourse, friendships, pop culture, and even my tolerance for [offensive Donald Trump supporters](. So it was a thrill to learn that Emily Nussbaum, the Pulitzer Prize–winning New Yorker writer and personal culture critic hero of mine, [was writing an entire book about reality TV](. Cue the Sun! The Invention of Reality TV, which is out today, traces the genre’s roots—from the 1940s radio phenomenon Queen for a Day to the ethical ambiguities of Big Brother and beyond—to tell a story that, contrary to its detractors, has earned a serious interrogation. I caught up with Emily ahead of her book's release. And though I was slightly devastated to learn that she is not a Housewives fan, our conversation is one I'll be thinking of for years to come as I dive even deeper into the rollicking world of reality TV. —Inae Oh Advertisement [House Bookshop Ad]( [Top Story] [Top Story]( [Here’s How Biden Could Rattle Trump in Their First Debate]( Ridicule is a good weapon to use against a bully. BY DAVID CORN SPONSORED POST     [Sponsored Content]( [The Looming Threat of Christian Nationalism]( Christian nationalists want to create a Christian nation. THIS CONTENT WAS PAID FOR AND SPONSORED BY [AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE](. [Trending] [Most immigrant deaths in ICE detention could have been prevented]( BY ISABELA DIAS   [You’re not too good for reality TV]( BY INAE OH   [G7 nations are ignoring the "cow in the room"—beef and dairy emissions]( BY AYURELLA HORN-MULLER   [Will Congress’ power over tax policy survive this Supreme Court?]( BY MICHAEL MECHANIC Advertisement [House Donations Ad]( [Special Feature] [Special Feature]( [You’re not too good for reality TV]( A new book traces the origins of the genre, perhaps culture's most influential and contentious, and uncovers a rich history you'd be a fool to dismiss. BY INAE OH MOTHER JONES MEMBERSHIP UPDATE   GREAT JOURNALISM, SLOW FUNDRAISING Our team has been on fire lately—publishing sweeping, [one-of-a-kind]( investigations, ambitious, [groundbreaking]( projects, and even [releasing]( “the holy shit documentary of the year.” And that’s on top of [protecting free and fair elections]( and [standing up]( to bullies and BS when others in the media don’t. Yet, we just came up pretty short on our fundraising campaign. So even though we’re done screaming about [the donations we need]( for a while, if you value the journalism we do but haven’t pitched in recently, please [consider doing so now](—we urgently need a lot of help to make up for lost ground. And of course, THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who has pitched in. It means the world to us. [Donate]( Did you enjoy this newsletter? Share it on [Facebook]( and [Twitter](. [Mother Jones]( [Donate]( [Donate Monthly]( [Subscribe]( This message was sent to {EMAIL}. To change the messages you receive from us, you can [edit your email preferences]( or [unsubscribe from all mailings.]( For advertising opportunities see our online [media kit.]( Were you forwarded this email? [Sign up for Mother Jones' newsletters today.]( [www.MotherJones.com]( PO Box 8539, Big Sandy, TX 75755