Gene Detectives

[SarahND]

Seriously for a moment....there are times I often wonder what I might be possibly missing by spending so much time online chasing down genealogical pursuits and not watching television. At times like this though I'm comforted that I'm making the wisest choice with my time.

I would agree, Jean! What a thing to wake up to in the morning... even hearing about it second hand makes my stomach turn.

I don't think the US has invented a genealogy based television series yet but could be wrong.

I don't think so, but I don't really know not being a watcher either. Yesterday, as the massage therapist was trying to get the stubborn knots out of my neck that correspond to the (over) use of my "mouse" hand and being amazed that I didn't know anything about some television program she was talking about, she would surely have mentioned if there was any such "genealogy" program, knowing my interests. To be fair, I suppose handling the remote control doesn't wreak as much havoc with your arm and neck as the mouse does-- ouch!

Sarah

[Pandabean]

I was wondering when this topic would come up on here.

I watched most of it last week and thought why get three people in when you clearly know who the person is. Also the simple fact that they don't ask the possible relations "Do you know so & so when you were this age?"

They could redesign the whole show and instead of three relations have it as three individuals telling their story of how they were renuited with people they were trying to find or how they traced there relation. It would be a little better than what they have just now.

What must the unrelated possible relations (does that make sense? )and how they must feel when they are not releated to the person.

Also I am amazed at how single minded the relation are in a way when they are told about there gene type. Oh you are group H and come from Europe somewhere and then they talk about how pleased they are to hear that and thought that they were originally English through and through.


I can touch my nose with my tongue, and pat my head & rub my belly. Who is related to me?

[emanday]

I can touch my nose with my tongue, and pat my head & rub my belly. Who is related to me?

S'no me

OK. So far, we seem to be of one mind about how we feel about the programme. I ask myself - "In the same situation, would I allow myself to be exploited this way?".

I really don't think so! But I truthfully don't know for sure. I've never experienced that kind of desperation and, unless a deeply hidden family secret suddenly reveals itself (apart from the ones I've found in antiquity), I'll never know!

[joette]

I can bend the top joint of my fingers & keep the rest of my finger straight-none of my siblings can-any rellies out there???

Hey, we must be related Joette I was first shown it by a school-mate, who was flabbergasted when I could do it too.... Have since found out abt. 35 yrs later we are related..... Scary Both hands , all fingers, seperately or all together.

You never know what's the S for ?My Dad was Ian S too

[joette]

[

OK. So far, we seem to be of one mind about how we feel about the programme. I ask myself - "In the same situation, would I allow myself to be exploited this way?".

I really don't think so! But I truthfully don't know for sure. I've never experienced that kind of desperation and, unless a deeply hidden family secret suddenly reveals itself (apart from the ones I've found in antiquity), I'll never know![/quote]
There's the rub because that is exactly what happens people are so desperate & vulnerable they will do almost anything to meet up with their "long lost" It is just makes me that people are so exploited.
I know of one so "called" expert who promises to reunite Birth Mothers with their children & just rips them off.I also had a friend who spent a fortune on Private Detectives trying to track down her Grandson.In the end she did it herself through subterfuge & skuldudderly on a grand scale.She has had a very happy reunion but was sensitive enough to wait until he was an adult & with the prior knowledge of her Daughter-in-law with whom he was living.
I have helped a few Mums search for their off-spring & it is not always a success so great tact & sensitivty is needed.The Law has changed & it is now officially possible for Birth Parents to seek out their offspring with the help of the Adoption Agency involved.

[AnneM]

I had not even heard about this programme but have to say I am horrified by what you are all recounting. Someone suggested using a humane killer on the producers.....why humane? What scares me is that the programme makers believe (possibly with reason) that the public's taste for feasting off other people's distress and emotion is such that our sensibilities are now totally debased. Can we start a movement to ban most so called reality TV??

Anne

[Russell]

Couldn't gree more Anne

Can I be member number two.
I hate so called 'reality' TV. It should be called Surreality TV.
The worst thing about it is the avid viewers dissecting every chance move over their tea break next day
Makes me think of a vampires convention sucking up the gore.

Some of the worst viewers seem like normal people in all other respects.
Euthanasia for the producers is too good for them
I think they should spend some time looking after alcoholics, drug addicts, terminally ill children (except I wopuldn't expose the children to them) In fact, all the situations where real life takes place and real suffering and misery are part of everyday life.
'Scuse me while I go and make up my protest banner

Russell

[emanday]

Can we start a movement to ban most so called reality TV??

Anne, I'd be happy to join you as a founder member. Never seen the entertainment value in them myself.

[Jockbird]

Hello!

Well I concur with your views on this, it's horrific.

I'm sure I recall seeing a thread on GR where someone said the programme makers had been in contact with them about it and their particular family conundrum but then came back saying it was too difficult to find their relation......

....now a bit of reality would have gone a long way me thinks rather than the dross of someone being related to an Ice Man....yes I clocked one episode to give it a fair go.

Best wishes
Donna

[Muriel]

I'll join the campaign, banner being prepared!

Muriel