Suzanne Collins' trilogy opener may be the best book I've read in a long time. If you haven't read The Hunger Games, give it a look. It's a rather dark look at a possible future, something that appeals to the younger generation. But even my generation finds the dystopian concept interesting.
Quick plot summary for those who haven't read the book: the government pits teenagers against one another in a fight to the death, and broadcasts the whole thing like the ultimate reality show.
Quick plot summary for some newsrooms around the country: the News Director pits young people against one another in a fight for an anchor job, then broadcasts the whole thing.
In the book there can be only one winner, so what happens when two contestants become friends and actually care about each other?
In the newsroom there is often only one winner, so what happens when two people vying for the same job become friends and actually care about each other?
Lots of News Directors play the television news version of The Hunger Games. They often think that competition from within results in a better product. They often forget that the competition resides on the other channels. The result is that no one wins, because everyone moves on, tired of the stress and lack of camaraderie. You can't look forward if you're constantly watching your back.
If you find yourself in this situation, be smart enough to realize you're playing a game. But to be bigger than the game, you must realize the competition is not sitting at the next desk, but both across the street and within yourself.
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