Would the world be better off WITH or WITHOUT television?

[Mr. Ected]

Over in GD, I asked the question, "Why aren't Americans more progressive?"

The majority of answers indicated that TV is the culprit that robs us of our rationalizing capacities and causes us to act against our own best interests.

So, I ask the question: Television: buy or sell?

[Inchworm]

1. With

I sure miss the constant bickering on the news, oh, and mindless hours spent letting someone else choose what is showing... and repeats.

I'm using Hulu and Netflix here since the digital crap. I'm running out of shows/movies to choose.

:hi:

[mike_c]

2. got rid of mine decades ago and have NEVER regretted it....

My partner owns one though, so when she moved in a couple of years ago I "inherited" it. But we ONLY use it to watch movies we choose, and we only do that half a dozen times or so ANNUALLY-- I haven't watched that thing in months, and the last time I did was a concert video. No cable or antenna attached.

Television is a scourge, IMO. I've posted about that numerous times (and once again this morning, perhaps in your other thread). It's not just a media wasteland. It is one of the most efficient behavior modification machines ever invented.

[Lil Missy]

3. Yes.

[femmocrat]

4. When we first got a TV, it came on at 5 pm and signed off at midnight.

There was no programming overnight or in the daytime! I think we should go back to that. ;)

:think:

And no children's programming, religious shows, or reality crap.

[Old Troop]

5. I think with. I hardly ever look at it, but I'd dearly miss Red Sox games

if it was gone.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. Television: KEEP.

Use as you would any dangerous drug: With care. There are risks and benefits. Overall, I like it.

There is NO going back...

[CrownPrinceBandar]

7. I currently don't have broadcast TV............

Don't really miss it. My tube is now used for streaming Netflix.

Use it or lose it? I guess it depends. If you have TV, you can always turn it off. It's neither a bane or a boon, its a tool - use it at your own discretion and be mindful of what you watch. Simple as that.

[carlyhippy]

8. I watch mostly educational programs

cooking shows, home improvement, nat geo, science, biography ect. I learn something.

HOWEVER, my guilty pleasure is Bravo TV, Real Housewives, double exposure, million dollar listing etc.

[Name removed]

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[hyphenate]

10. If it weren't for TV

Our lives might not have been possible.

People can blame television as the scourge of the earth as much as they want to, but TV has made personal computers possible, it has been a major source of news--does anyone believe that our lives would be as complex as they are if we didn't get news from around the world, a lot of it instantaneously? We were there in Dallas in 1963, we were there when astronauts landed on the Moon in 1969, we were there when the airplanes crashed into the WTC--many of these are tragedies, and perhaps strained our lives, but knowledge of these, and many other such stories have helped many people from around the globe to be far more aware of the plight of others. We have the oil spill, the earthquake in Haiti, and far more news recently to make that point over and over again. And think what it would have been like without the contributions of folks like Jon Stewart, Keith Olbermann, Rachel Maddow?

TV has always been my passion. I've defended it many times, to the point where I've actually changed the minds of some people in terms of its contribution to the world. If scientists hadn't pushed through to the invention of TV, who knows where we might be, socially or technologically. Movies would be around--plain old 35mm, but special effects likely wouldn't have been a part of them; books would still be around, but Kindles wouldn't be; the cameras would still be film, instead of digital, because the move to the digital world wouldn't have been urgent enough to make it important; and children in many parts of the world, especially third world countries would die faster, because there would be no element of empathy to make more donations and contributions to those groups that inspire help.

TV has managed to make so many changes in the world, that it is irreplaceable. Think of the beginning of the 20th century, and then think of the beginning of the 21st century. It's fairly easy to see the leaps and bounds that followed TV's applications. And I think many of us would be able to mention at least one moment in our own history where television made an impact.


It's not TV that has slowed us down--it's actually the opposite--TV has enriched our worlds in many ways, but we need to be smart enough to see that.

And let's face it: TV entertains. There are thousands of people with no ability to get around socially, so TV is their companions. There are people who use TV as an outlet for education. There are people who

[KurtNYC]

11. My life is better without it

no doubt about it. By "television" I mean advertiser supported TV. Sports, PBS, concerts, etc weren't created by TV so I don't count them. TV is a great way to watch sports.

But most TV is truly the opiate of the masses and it induces a kind of stupor. It is full of false values, a misplaced worship of youth and vapid personalities.

My first week without TV was euphoria. Freedom is as close as the off button.

[ThomThom]

12. If it was used for good and not evil, like it is now, we would be better off

with it

[XemaSab]

13. Left to my own devices

I probably watch three or so hours of TV and four hours of videos a week.

I think TV news is garbage, and of the 70 channels we get, 60 are pure crap.

Then again, I have done quite well without TV before, and I am sure that I could easily cut out the three hours of TV, but I likes me some videos. Sometimes vegematating in front of the boob toob hits the spot.

Of the stuff that's on TV, I like Locked Up Abroad, Monsters Inside Me, I Shouldn't Be Alive, and Whale Wars, but I don't remember to watch them when they're on most times. :P

I've been watching videos of Curb Your Enthusiasm, and I am still rewatching LOST. I have also been known to enjoy films from time to time.