I think you should be watching love island

The most exciting part about Love Island for me was talking to people about Love Island.

In times of depression, people look for an outlet. Love, partying, entertainment.

Since "the dating show's" 1965 debut, reality dating shows have been a special look into the lives of modern society and its dating pool.

As the United States tumbles into weekly turmoil, this summer highlighted the need for Love Island like never before.

Love Island stands as a genuine(ish) reflection of our current times. The stars are just like us.

Reality dating shows have gone international, short-form, in mansions, on yachts, and on islands. It's been the best and worst of times, and this year especially, Love Island highlighted just how needy the average American is.

60 years of an evolving, changing society, details about how, why, and who we connect to, how we’ve changed over the years, and how we search for love, all available in 60 minutes or less. The dating world you watch in the 70's vs the early 2000's compared to today all provide different insights on the dating market, the individual, and the audiences of their times.

Seemingly nobodies, except sometimes for the semi-famous model/influencer, fly to Fiji for a summer of no social media, no dating apps, no work, to compete for love, money (100k split by the winning couple), and if played properly, even the losing islanders get the gift of friendship, community (and fame).

While the product placement and ad pushes can feel overwhelming at times, the production of Love Island USA brings a summer of opportunity to islanders and to Fiji's film industry. They employ international and local crew, and Fiji, also used by Survivor, in allowing it has given the locals much needed industry opportunities.

Productions in Fiji have to employ a certain number of locals, provide hands-on experience, and utilize film students from Fiji’s National University as interns. Building a mutually beneficial production economy during filming season, the show also brings an important number of eyes to Fiji's environment. A beautiful place, as shown by the gorgeous exterior shots, that is being transformed by climate change.

To educate and help create plans on how production will operate once in Fiji, the Mamanuca Environment Society holds meetings with production teams ahead of shooting. They cultivate a "leave it better than you found it" approach, much needed across the entertainment industry.

Whether you liked it or not, Love Island USA season 8 served as a reflection of our time.

What is usually numbness or distraction, served this year as a conversation starter and community building opportunity.

I wasn’t watching because I wanted to disappear and binge-watch the lives of perfect people; I wasn’t watching because I cared that much about who would end up with who, at least not at first.

Eventually, I did buy into the lives of these islanders, in what I’d affectionately called anthropological prison, and became joyously curious as to what they would make of the summer.

But what I enjoyed most of all were the watch parties. The bar nights, themed dance parties, and every other event that could be juiced out of everyone watching the same thing together. I loved persuading the bartender to let us stream it on the TV (a fun combo during FIFA in the States). I loved striking up conversations with new friends; I loved dissecting and comparing our dating horror stories with the lives of the islanders.

Watch parties turned to weekly catch-ups with friends and laughing fits at whatever sound bite was trending that week. If the thing that sparks that is Love Island, who am I to blame the contestants and viewers who needed this?

Reality TV is a touchy topic for me. I can never really form a solid opinion, and I doubt we’ll know the complete way it’s transformed our generation's brain for a while.

Some are better than others.

The reality shows I've subjected my mind to include MTV's Are you the one, Bad Girls Club, 1 1/2 seasons of Perfect Match (one of the many Netflix shows I genuinely think needs to be stopped), and so many more I can’t name them all. Lately, Love Island has been the most enjoyable.

To all the intellects that believe themselves above reality TV, or those that have a certain twang of anger that tells you “people can gather for this but not show up when it matters”, I challenge you to connect with the people you meet when you watch.

Beyond getting their Instagrams or contact info, invite them out, check in on them, create opportunities for the community you build watching Love Island every week, and carry it even after the sun tans go away.

Find a new excuse to meet every week, talk, connect. Find ways to help each other through the difficulties facing us today. Who knows, you could find your next roommate, a new volunteer buddy, or just a friendly neighbor. It doesn’t matter how it starts, as long as it continues.

We crave authenticity, we crave humanity, we crave connection, and if Love Island has to be the vehicle through which these needs arrive to our culture, then who am I to judge?

If you ignore its brainwashing capabilities, resist the urge to post your opinion online, and use it as the entertaining tool that it is, you will discover the joys of indulging in good reality TV.

Watch responsibly.