I love this! 'Shark Tank' is one of my favorite shows!

Thanks to both of you for reading and your comments. Tough to find shows these days for the whole family.

What a great article! I love how you turned watching TV together as a family into a fun and educational experience.

good show, cuban makes it because Robert never buys ANYTHING

I heard Barack Hussein Obama was shutting this show down because it is promoting free market capitalism.

Although I have watched this briefly it gave me the impression of greed, was very condescending, and perhaps, those things that I don't like about the business world.
Unfettered capitalism leads to dumping toxic waste into the environment, taking advantage of workers, prison labor,no insurance, part time work without benefit, outsourcing jobs, etc. Money is the God of the world.We worship celebrities, trash TV is the new norm. I do not see programs like this as necessarily healthy or constructive. Yes, I admit I have only watched this program for brief periods and may have made a premature judgement. I felt the same about Jerry Springer, Maury Povich, and much of the popular TV of our day.

I am a self made successful entrepreneur. This is one of the very few shows I watch because if you run a business it is more than 40 hrs per week. The interesting part of the show is how unprepared the presenters are for the grilling. It is like they never watched the show before coming on it. Very few people make sufficent money woprking in a company from 9-5. The large homes in your neighborhood are usually owned by someone with a small business.

Folks,

I will try to watch it and keep an open mind. Thanks

Shark Tank is a great show because it gives a glimpse of real life entrepreneurs trying to get their product to market. The Sharks are actually quite polite in comparison to many venture capitalists and other investors. Great show concept

Steve,

How would you address a group of people? uz guys?

I am neither a liberal or a conservative but more of a centrist.
Conservatives tend to be very narrow minded and think in black and white terms.
Possibly a result of left brain thinking. Most terrorists are recruited from engineers, who are primarily left brain. Nor am I overly emotional which often marks extreme right brain thinking. Are you going to tell me the excessive greed does not exist in our modern times. That unfettered capitalism does not lead to destruction of the environment, hiring of undocumented workers and a race to the bottom in terms of wages? I love entrepreneurship. It is in my blood. I am not for excessive entitlements whether they be for the wealthy or the poor. You seem to be rather self righteous and angry. Can I have an opinion that does not absolutely agree with yours? Probably not.

Steve, no way is Jim a centrist! LOL Most liberals like to say that, but those are the ones who are far left of center.

Dear Abby,

A person who is not open-minded will see anybody who has a different opinion as unacceptable. I am a fiscal conservative. I strive to have compassion to the truly less fortunate. I do not support endless wars or Imperialism. I am against bullying in any form. I detest selfishness in extreme forms. Extreme right wing or liberal views are not what I value. Since Dear Abby knows me so well will you please tell me exactly what you base your statements on? I would like to get to know me in ways only you seem to understand.

Steve,

My comment about left brain thinking is correlated to a mindset. Certain careers populate this form of thinking. Engineers just happen to be overly represented in middle eastern people we call terrorists. Ones mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter. Perspective is a variable.

I really enjoy the show as it reflects real life. You must know what you are trying to sell, believe in it, know it's value and be willing to work and even fight to ward off the critics and put forth the effort to be successful. I appreciate the different personalities as well because that's what you get in life!

I would judge them on an issue by issue basis. Please give me an example. I also realize that people have a right to have different opinions. I am not the final authority.
Much of who we are as people is based on experience, education, and even the biochemistry of our brains. Much research discusses this. This is not just my opinion. I look forward to your response.

It is also not wrong to ascribe to personal values. This is the foundation of who we are.
I have long realized that there are many perspectives, often of equal if different value.

Gary,

Fair enough. I probably would include issues such as extreme fundamentalism, overly militaristic points of view, the War on Drugs, no exceptions to abortion, hate groups.

Stevie

Your anger is obvious, your thinking is narrow, Most "guys" do not comment on pictures. Concern over appearance belongs to certain groups. "Steve" does sound masculine. Stevie fits you better. Left brain/ right brain is science.

Gary, It is not about acceptance, it is about disagreement with them. I relate to some Libertarian beliefs, some conservative, and some "liberal. It depends on the issue.

To get back on topic here, I agree somewhat with Jim's earlier post regarding the show itself...or reality TV in general. Full disclosure is that I have never seen this show, but I do get the premise. It sounds mildly like American Idol for businesses/inventors. Shows that provide everyday people with a chance at their dream do achieve some good in the end for a few people, but they are still programs designed at making money off of the people who put it all on the line only to be mocked, made fun of, and shot down for our viewing pleasure. In the realm of reality tv they aren't down there with Springer, Honey Boo Boo, Jersey Shore and the likes, but they still use these people with offering a small hope at striking it big.

I may be way off base with the show, but it still feels contrived to me. There is great TV out there, and maybe I'm missing the boat with this show but I personally still prefer good stories and clever writing.

Gary,

Are you saying that narrow mindedness does not exist? You are welcome to disagree with me.

Brian,

Very well put. Just like Storage Wars where the small group of people always win, leaving out all of the other people present. The dramatic finds, the sidebar conversations. Have you seen the Bad Girls on Oxygen? Absolute filth. Much of TV is a wasteland. Jersey Shore has a huge following. So does Judge Judy, Bread & Circuses. Ancient Rome lives again.

Bree Olson,

I have no use for authoritarian thinking of any sorts. The leadership of North Korea is a joke. Whitewater rafting would be more my style.

No, I am not single. The TShirt says I Love Elmhurst, worn on a vacation.

You sure worry about things that no man I know thinks much about.

Where is your picture?

Thanks to you I know a good Polish joke. You.

Bree,

I am far from lazy. I have never asked for a hand out from anybody. Unions were a response to employees being taken advantage. Then they got greedy, especially those unions affiliated with Government. No regulation? That is what happened to trucking. The result. Unqualified drivers, bad equipment, marginal wages, lost benefits. CEO's make inordinate amounts of money even if they destroy the company. Pure capitalism is based on greed. Offer no insurance, part time jobs. China's workers operate under pure capitalism. That is why pollution is also rampant as there no controls. Do you think human nature is so decent that regulations are not needed? I am not for excessive and bureaucratic regulation. A balance must be achieved. Would you drive a car by an absolutely unregulated company? Sure market forces might catch up with them after many people died or were hurt and spent inordinate money on repairs. Are not police a form of regulation as well as traffic laws. It would be anarchy without laws and regulations. Is that really what you would want.

No shack in Warsaw. I would what nothing to do with Warsaw. You act like a low class bully and thug. Your "boys". I am sure you have many. Why do you make implied threats? For what? I read your other former commentaries. You have issues for sure.

Can you read? Obviously not.. I said little regulation. Unions were good in the past but they aren't necessary now. There are laws that protect workers. Once again I said little regulation. Next time you comment read the entire paragraph you idiot.

Bree,

The term little regulation is vague and not measurable. How can I determine what you meant and to what degree? Unions are probably necessary. All systems of power need a system of checks and balances. The pendulum needs to swing back a little. What is with people who cannot disagree and do it in a respectful way? I never called anyone a name. If you support free markets you sure should support the free exchange of ideas. While you might not support socialism, your "idiot" statement sounds like fascism. I never said "spread the wealth" Is there not an excess of corporate welfare included in those entitlements you detest ? Is not the military and the government hugely wasteful? If you take the train to work you are being subsidized. Is the North Shore this angry? I thought this was the area of educated and intelligent people. Stop the name calling please.

Steve,

Class is not about money nor is it always about education. Hollywood and the sports world are filled with low class people.Lindsey Lohan must be awesome. Bernie Madoff was very intelligent.

It is about behaviors that lower class people ascribe to. Fighting and feuding are an example. Intolerance is another. Name calling, etc. We were talking about a reality program. I have a right to disagree with aspects of the program. The author of the article, with much class, supported my right to disagree. So did Brian.

Elmhurst is a pretty good community. Foreclosures are everywhere. Elmhurst is building a huge amount of million dollar homes. By the way, that is a rental property with the ability to be subdivided. I would agree I wish I had known about the expressway a little more but I will subdivide it and make good money at some point.The whole world is in an economic free fall.
Real estate has been significantly impacted. I did not manipulate the markets or receive money from the Government like the banks did. Why do you care about what I wear or how I look. Men do not worry about these things. You seem to have extraordinary concern about mens fashion.

What type of work do you do?

I am far from thin-skinned or I would be fearful to offer an opinion. I would worry about what everybody thought. It is about civility that is largely lacking. Those who must immediately resort to name calling are acting as bullies who wish to impose their worldview.

I do not want a helping hand by any measure. How would you conclude that I do?

A 'little" is more than zero. Why do you explain the obvious? Explain to me about free markets that you support. I am not against competition but a race to the bottom is not beneficial. Henry Ford realized that if he didn't pay his workers fairly they could not afford to buy his cars. WalMart pays so poorly that most of their workers collect food stamps and use emergency rooms for health care. Thus we indirectly give huge corporate welfare to Walmart, supported by taxpayer dollars.
Please explain your philosophy. I am always willing to learn.

Hey guys,

We love the lively conversation on this post, but please keep your comments on topic and refrain from name-calling and personal attacks. Thanks!

Cari Barcas
Regional Editor

Cari,

Always do. I do not name call.

I do not live in "that" part of town. It is a rental. Class and money are not correlated.
Mike Tyson has money. So do many gangster rappers. So do drug dealers.
Obviously you worship the concept of celebrity. Reinsdorf received huge state subsidies for his stadium. Although I have always been very athletic, I could care less about hollywood people, many athletes, and sports in general. The stadium has become the new religion and idolatry of these people rings empty with me.
I guess Dennis Rodman is classier than the nurse that helps you or the teachers you had in school. More than a policeman that protects you or a crossing guard that protects children.

I have done many things. Buying and selling real estate was one of them. Lets see. Donald Trump went bankrupt, Banks were bailed out. So was General Motors.
The Chicago Tribune went bankrupt. The State and cities are broke. The US Government is broke. The Sox cannot attract fans. No team brings us a championship. Well else would you like to know.

Bree,

Under free markets employers hire illegal workers, do not report taxes, offer no health benefits, and displace American Workers. Ah, for the "free" market.

Nooo!!! Where did that great picture go Jim?

I think it's time to shut this down...no? Bree and Stevie and their clever pseudonyms have successfully hijacked yet another thread, with the help of their enabler Jim....can't give you two all the credit. All in a good days work.

Brian,

Did not mean to enable although I inadvertently did by responding.

I am done.

Take care.

I am also done, I felt we had a good conversation, and look forward to seeing you down the line. Best, Stevie