I just watched the documentary series titled “Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action” premiered on Netflix on January 7, 2025. This docuseries delves into the history and cultural impact of “The Jerry Springer Show,” which aired from 1991 to 2018 and became notorious for its sensational and controversial content. I used to watch it fanatically, the show was often criticized for its sensationalism, exploitation of vulnerable individuals, and its impact on American television culture.

Despite its controversies, the Jerry Springer Show became a cultural phenomenon and a symbol of sensationalist talk television, influencing the genre, copied from many other shows across the globe and cementing Jerry Springer’s legacy in pop culture!

Let’s keep it real: Trash content whether on TV, TikTok, Facebook, Youtube Twitter and across most of the internet have us in a chokehold. You might not want to admit it, but who hasn’t spiralled into a TikTok feud thread or stayed up late watching a reality star flip a table? It’s our cultural junk food—a guilty pleasure that we consume and share at breakneck speed. The big question is: Why? Why do we love the chaos, why do we spread it like wildfire, and what’s the cost to us as a society?

Why We Love It: The Psychology of Trash

Humans are wired for drama. Conflict grabs our attention—it’s in our DNA. Trash TV and viral drama let us live vicariously through other people’s mess without the actual fallout. It’s like watching a car crash: you know you shouldn’t stare, but you can’t look away. Psychologists even have a word for this: schadenfreude (a.k.a. getting a weird thrill from someone else’s disaster). It’s not our proudest trait, but it’s real.

And let’s not forget escapism. Trash content—whether it’s a messy reality show, the actual news or a TikTok callout—offers a break from our everyday lives. It’s drama without consequences, entertainment that doesn’t ask for much except your attention.

Then there’s the algorithm. Platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Twitter are designed to make sensational content explode. The more outlandish or emotional the post, the faster it spreads. Social media thrives on engagement, and nothing drives clicks like chaos.

Why We Share It: Drama as a Social Currency

Here’s the thing: Sharing trash content isn’t just about the content itself—it’s about us. When we share a clip of a reality star’s meltdown or a viral TikTok feud, we’re saying, “Look at this insanity—and look how much better my life is in comparison.” Trash TV and drama give us something to bond over, to laugh at, or to judge. It’s a way of signaling, “I’m in the know. I get it.”

Sharing also connects us. Viral drama becomes the cultural water cooler—a way to spark conversations and feel part of a bigger moment. And let’s be honest: Posting or retweeting chaos makes us feel relevant. It’s like shouting, “Can you believe this?!” into the digital void and waiting for someone to shout back.

The Damage We’re Doing: When Chaos Becomes the Norm

But here’s where it gets messy. Our obsession with trash content isn’t without consequences.

1. Desensitization: When your feed is a non-stop parade of fights, callouts, and breakdowns, it’s easy to forget that there are real people behind the chaos and the media circus. Trash content turns human struggles into memes, making it harder to empathize.
2. Shallow Engagement: Sure, trash content is entertaining, but it doesn’t leave room for deeper conversations. Instead of discussing big ideas or meaningful change, we’re stuck in a loop of “LOL” and “SMH.”
3. Cultural Fallout: The more we normalize trash, the more we reward bad behaviour. We’re creating a culture where being loud and messy is the fastest way to pay attention. And let’s face it: That’s not a great look for society.

Trash content isn’t going anywhere

Look, I’m not here to tell you to delete TikTok or stop watching reality TV. Trash content isn’t going anywhere—it’s been around since the Roman Colosseum. But maybe we can be smarter about how we consume it. Ask yourself: Am I sharing this because it adds something meaningful, or just because it’s shocking?

We can also start pushing back against the algorithms. The next time a wild clip pops up on your feed, think twice before hitting share. Because every click, like, and retweet sends a message: More of this, please. And we have the power to demand better.

So what’s your take?

Are we just hardwired to love the chaos, or can we break the cycle?

Let’s talk about it. Drop your thoughts, your experiences, or your favorite trash TV moments in the comments. After all, a little drama can be fun—as long as it doesn’t define us.