30 Days

When I first heard about Morgan Spurlock and his movie "Super-size Me" I thought this guy was just a publicity hound and the whole movie was a joke, riding on the coattails of Michael Moore. But then I watched it - it was actually pretty interesting, though I didn't find it too scientific and realistic in the aspect that most people don't eat McDonald's for every meal. Overall though, it did pose some very serious questions about food quality, quantity, and obesity in the United States.

I must admit I am hooked on his series, 30 Days. It's mind-opening and refreshing to see what people in our communities experience. From living on minimum wage, to living with conflicting religious beliefs, to living as a coal miner. It's like Wife-Swap, but on a more serious social note. It's as much educational as it is entertainment. It basically creates an interface to expand people's views on issues that impact us socially and economically - basically "taking the blinders off."

Mind you, one should be willing to learn about a conflicting or unfamiliar lifestyle, and hopefully by the end of the episode willing to accept that while we are all different in our beliefs and may have opposing opinions, we are all still human and deserve understanding and respect. These shows expose common misconceptions we are all guilty of and give us the opportunity to reassess our views on the topics presented.

Open minds and open hearts compel us to be good neighbors - making for a more friendly society for us all to reside in...