Not that I am much of a TV watcher, but it seems the media is really missing a major opportunity for a heart-stopping show.

Reality TV shows and Xtreme this-and-that seem to be the rage right now. People across America are transfixed as they Watch disfunctional families and island-stranded testosterone and silliness...

I propose a TV show named "Xtreme Karuna".

Karuna is a Sanskrit word, sometimes translated, as "compassion". The principle of "karuna" includes a deep understanding of the impermanent and interdependent nature of reality and life, and the immense potential for transformation in each being.

Ideas for the "Xtreme Karuna" show:

8 or 10 people from various walks of life, cultures and of different ages are selected to "compete" on this show...for a month or two.

Segment One:

The format: Players are educated on how for 800 million people in poor countries or deprived areas of the world, going hungry is a daily event.

The Challenge: See how many starving people you can feed in week. Extra credits if you supply a group (tribe or neighborhood) with the education or tools to feed themselves.

Segment Two:

The format: Players are sponsored by different families all over the world in "war zones"... each players going to a different location. They must essentially live and breathe the war experience with their special family and document it via diary and photo or video.

The Challenge: Survive a week in a war zone. Extra points if you are not shot, tortured, mutilated or consumed by post traumatic stress syndrome. Extra credits if you get out safely and use your multi-media presentation to show the horror of war to others.

Other segments for weeks 3 and 4 might include a focus on worldwide diseases (like HIV/AIDS or SARS), environmental concerns like the Amazon rainforest or backyard pollution, endangered species or animal cruelty, the list does go on.

How amazing that after a month, the participants on the show might have made a *positive inpact* on the world in which they live....