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

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Films and theatre I entirely agree with. Television has always seemed to be have a social function for me: something to watch with someone else and talk about while I'm watching. Often we're watching something, start talking about a point that's made, and then lose track of the show.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

iainjcoleman made a good point about the social aspect of television somewhere else in this thread, about it being a way of immediately participating in a shared culture, and I feel the same way. I don't think it's weird not to feel that way though, or not to enjoy television.