Commentary by Peter Andrew Sacco Ph.D. (Psyche Doctor)
May 14, 2007
Before I talk about the conclusion of Survivor Fiji and the bad Dreamz it gave us all, let's look-up a couple of defintions.
Integrity, definition: (noun) Firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values. Incorruptibility. For real-life reference, see Survivor Fiji: Yau-Man.
Judas, definition: (noun) One of the original twelve disciples of Jesus Christ who betrayed him for money. Sealed with a kiss. For real-life reference, see Survivor Fiji: Dreamz.
I could start out by lending myself to a competitive cliché like, "It doesn't matter if you win or lose, rather how you play the game which matters most", but many will assert that's not true of a reality show like Survivor Fiji where one million dollars is on the line with the winner taking all. With that said, I would have to agree with you. I would also disagree with anyone who doesn't believe one's true character is tested, tempered and defined by how they play the game. In reality, that is "real life", the true essence of their being is put on display for others as well as themselves. That is if they've got the moxie and balls to take a long look in the mirror after all is said and done.
This was my first true encounter with Survivor, watching it from the beginning to end. As a matter of fact, my greatest exposure for watching the show came way back when Richard Hatch won the first Survivor. Ironically, I started watching it because my mother had turned me on to it. Now Richard is appearing in "Survivor Bubba and the bar of soap".
Character makes the man.
I must say, the outcome of Survivor Fiji left me somewhat emotional, disappointed and shocked. Keep in mind, I used to have my own practice counseling, I am an author and professor, and I see a heck of a lot on a regular basis. Surprised is something I am not very often. Dreamz's broken promise, which I might add was basically seen by multi-millions and "before God" blew the doors off of me. Yes, yours truly had to scoff down a half of gallon of strawberry frozen yogurt from the next commercial break on. You'd swear I was the one in emotional crisis while Yau-Man handled the entire situation with the truest of grace under pressure.
Right from day one I asserted that in a real-time survivor situation my money would be on Yau and Gary to win. We all know what happened to poor Gary, but Yau endured and plodded on with fortitude, amazing character and class. Each week I kept telling readers why Yau should win and why Yau will win. Even though Yau got totally blind-sided as most of us did with Dreamz's "lower than earthworm" mentality, in my books and it would appear many, Yau was the true Survivor and winner. As a matter of fact, according to the final jury, if Yau would have made it to the final three, he would have won.
Not once during this entire season of Survivor did Yau ever intentionally or even unintentionally hurt anyone. He never lied, cheated, swindled or really, truly manipulated anyone. These are the criterion required to win a show like this and the three remaining members all engaged in these behaviors, some a heck of a lot more than the rest.
Not Yau! Yau-Man was a true gentleman through and through. Yau relied on both brains and brawn (go figure) to make it as far as he did. I think Yau-Man taught a lot of people that it truly is about how you play the game which determines your true character. I think he reminded the world that there are still some really good people out there with character and strength who are amazing leaders and good role models. Any youth or children who watched this show, I hoped they learned from Yau-Man and not Dreamz about what a real man is. What a real person is about!
Dreamz taught children and youth what.....
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