Turn it off, it's no good for me

[altariel]

I didn't get where I am today by switching off the television, and so I think that the "Turnoff TV" campaign reported in this article is, in my thoroughly considered and exquisitely argued opinion, largely elitist bollocks. I'd agree that there's a certain nostalgia about 1970s telly which tends to gloss over the memories of, say, the toe-curlingly, jaw-grindingly awful sexism.

FWIW, I think there's a bit of a TV renaissance going on at the moment here in Britain, and I'm not just talking about Doctor Who; a peek around the BBC Four site is a good place to start. Anyway, what about multitasking? Experience tells me it's relatively easy to learn how to loll drooling in front of the box with your slack jaw propped up on an open book.

Comments

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

I actually have turned off my TV almost entirely. Not because I'm superior, but because I'm a criminal. I download several shows regularly and am vastly entertained. So my glowing box is the computer. It's not as if I'm out exercising at the gym.

I notice one real difference in my outlook as a result of this sea-change: during the one hour I do have the television on (Lost), I barely tolerate the commercials. I don't numbly sit and stare at them. They make me crazy. I'm actively appalled at them--much more so than when I was a regular viewer.

I experience this change the way I've experienced certain healthy improvements in my life (cutting down on meat, preferring organic foods, drinking more and better water, stuff like that): a sort of refinement of sensibility that no longer tolerates what used to be common, and a concomitant increase in (perceived) mental clarity. So I equate turning off the TV with an improvement in my well-being.

In that regard, I'm all for turning off the TV. But I still love my shows.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I actually have turned off my TV almost entirely. Not because I'm superior, but because I'm a criminal. I download several shows regularly and am vastly entertained. So my glowing box is the computer. It's not as if I'm out exercising at the gym.

Excellent points, well put! I have to say I prefer watching telly on the box itself, but it's a good set-up here with a wide-screen etc.

I'm completely with you when it comes to adverts; not a problem with the Beeb of course but these days I tend to Tivo them out (start watching TV shows with a ten minute delay and fast-forward through the adverts). The number of ad breaks on US shows is insane in comparison to over here.

[archbishopm.livejournal.com]

Not because I'm superior, but because I'm a criminal.

Not that the two are mutually exclusive...

Interestingly (or not) the commercials are one of the reasons I have not foregone broadcast television entirely. The majority are inane but there are usually a couple that make it all worthwhile. Like the one where the Roomba eats Dave Chappelle's pants. Oh shut up it's genius I tell you.

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

And here's me, thinking I wasn't missing a damn thing.