Quote:
Originally Posted by Fletch XXX
hey Sarah, decided to write about my against-the-grain feeling on watching television.
so this ones for you! my longest entry lol - Why I Stopped Watching Television
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I totally agree with you that shows like that are utter rubbish. I have never actually watched any of that show (or the UK version of it) other than a clip that was being posted on the boards while back and that hurt my head too much.
What I do think is that there is the option of choice of what you watch and that if you are selective you can spend the majority of the time you are watching television watching mentally stimulating programing. Now, I live in the UK these days so I am not totally up on the US tv programing at the moment but I am sure with a zillion cable channels we all end up pretty much having the same shows anyway but just on a different channel.
I can almost always find an interesting documentary somewhere, I can watch a ton of political analysis programing that is actually that and not just Fox rubbish that makes me want to kick in the tv. There is a lot of higher arts programing if you really want to watch Opera or ballet on tv. It is about making the proper choices and it isn't the medium that is bad it is that most people pick the crap.
I also don't see much trouble with mixing in a bit of totally light hearted fluff tv now and then as long as it isn't the main body of what you watch. Just like if I stick to my weight loss diet 95 percent of the time is okay to have a bit of chocolate now and then. I know 'reality' shows aren't real but are just a name for a style of productions. I know that the vast majority are total brain rotting stuff too. However, I think if people pick and choose tv programs wisely then there is nothing wrong with indulging now and then in a guilty pleasure. There is some fine drama on American tv at the moment..Dexter being just one example..that doesn't deserve to the thrown in with the eye candy tv.
Now, I am talking about adults and adult choices here. I think if any kids are sat down in front of the tv and given a steady diet of nothing but mainstream tv it is going to be a bad thing but I don't have kids and luckily don't have to worry about anything other than my own choices.
I also fully support your (or anybody's) right not to watch tv. I think it is cool that people decide what is best for them. However, as I am sure you will agree, historically the 'oh, we don't have a tv' group have come across as real snobs just wishing to look down on anybody that dares to watch tv now and then.