“Watching too much TV can triple our hunger for more possessions while reducing our personal contentment by about 5 percent for every hour a day we watch.” ―David Niven
Television is a powerful medium to influence thought, behavior, and even society.
We know this to be true.
- Television is carefully choreographed. Settings, dialogue, and movement are meticulously planned by writers, directors, actors, and actresses.
- Television is a one-way conversation. There is no opportunity for viewers to push-back, debate, or ask questions.
- Television engages viewers’ minds and thoughts with action, sensory, and emotion.
- Television uses story to teach values and information—just like every good communicator (and civilization).
- Television speaks to us in the privacy of our own homes. As a result, our defenses are down.
- Television is chosen by us—we decide what we want to watch.
Years ago, I sat down to interview my grandfather for a still-upcoming project. He is 93 years old, one of the wisest men I’ve ever met, and has experienced 10 different decades of America. I asked him about wealth, poverty, and consumerism.
At one point, I asked if he thought America was more consumeristic today than it was years ago. He said, “Yes, absolutely.”
My next question was a follow-up, “Why do you think that is the case?”
His replied without hesitation, “I think one of the greatest reasons America is more consumeristic today is television. Television can glamorize anything it wants to promote. And yet we willingly invite it into our homes and lives.”
He is, of course, absolutely right. Television can and does glamorize anything it desires. It gets to share any side of the story without needing to reveal any of the consequences. And it does so willingly again and again for selfish gain.
As a result, it can make any situation seem attractive: broken families, sexual unfaithfulness, unemployment. Television can romanticize drug addiction, gang life, or mob culture. It can sensationalize war, crime, revenge. And it can promote wealth and consumerism as the answer to our problems.
Television will glamorize anything it desires. And even though we know this to be true, it is helpful to be reminded over and over again.
Allison says
Dear Joshua,
What a very important topic! I’m hearing of more and more people who are going without a TV entirely. I am thankful for Oprah’s OWN network which certainly seems to be using the power of television to spread empowering messages and offer a space for asking the deeper questions.
Thank you,
Allison
Robyn@ Living the Simple Life Now says
I completely agree. I no loner watch TV but choose to watch lectures and inspiring messages on YouTube because I would rather fill my mind with something that is going to deepen my knowledge or inspire me.
You would like the book I am reading now. It’s called “The Information Diet” and talks a lot about the points you brought up. I will be doing a vlog review on it next week….it is excellent!
Jazzy says
I remember when I was 12 years old (back in the late 60’s) saying to my sibs that when I was an adult I would NOT allow my children to watch Tv until they were 18. Somehow I knew even then what Tv was trying to do..
I never did have children but even now I am aware of the insidious nature of Tv. I only watch my shows recorded so I can FF the commercials – it might be cheating but I think I’ve been doing myself a favour all my life. Even now it’s now only have 2 shows I watch each week in this way. Tv just doesn’t do it for me…I’d rather read a REALLY gripping book.
Thanx for this Joshua – more people need to be aware of the true nature of things we take for granted everyday…
Judy says
I like to watch “Hoarders” —makes me feel extra clean and organized…and sometimes a shopping network—just to get fashion ideas…and think about how much money I am saving by NOT shopping! :)
Aubrey says
I love “hoarders” too. It is a disease I can’t relate to, but I love to see the turnaround that people make! It always motivates me to throw more stuff away too….LOL
Isabella says
Guess what? In Italy we had a Prime Minister who owns 3 of the biggest national tv channels, and he was so good to glamorize himself that we had him as Prime Minister almost for 20 years, thugh he is severly connected with mafia, and with so many bad things such as prostitution, drugs and so on. And there’s still some people here, now that he was declared guilty for “a few things”, who still thinks he’s an amazing guy because… he owns televisions! (and a football team, book publishing, newspapers and who knows what else). My tv is almost always off, I just watch movies, docs and kitchen shows. I’m decluttering my life from the web too: I think that in some ways social networks have a similar influence on us, as many people pretend to be something else on Facebook, Twitter etc. glamorizing themselves as no-one can see what their real life is, and other people get depressed because they feel inadequate. My 2 cents. Have a nice day, going back to my wardrobe decluttering. :-)
Sandra Pawula says
This is such a crucial point, Joshua! In a certain way, our mind is not fully our own as long as we watch television. It is so influential. Dramatic programs can make your heart beat faster and give your other physiological signs of stress (like can’t sleep afterward) when you were just trying to relax watching t.v.!
I haven’t owned a t.v. for 4 years. When I happen to see a program now it seems so ridiculous, especially the commercials. I know there’s good programming too, but most of it isn’t worth it. It’s causing damage sometimes too subtle too see.
Thank you for this reminder.
Cassie says
Great reminders here. It’s easy to get caught up in a popular TV series and forget that it’s designed to seduce you while simultaneously making you crave things you don’t have. (Perfect hair, perfect wardrobe, perfect house, etc.) I don’t watch a ton of TV, but just enough to occasionally feel like I’m lacking in something. Thanks for bringing this up—it’s a good thing to hear (and remind ourselves of every now and then).
Yanic A. says
I’m very careful of what I watch. We watch only a few hours of TV a week : I am guilty of a few sitcoms that make me laugh after a long day, but I’m also a huge fan of documentaries. I set limits on myself and I’m very strict with them. If I watch a new show, it has 3 episodes to bring me in. After that I never look back. And believe me, I’m not that easy to please! :-) The thing that frightens me the most about TV is the desensitization that happens. If you watch all murder/mystery shows that make forensic work COOL and such, the news comes on and a murder is almost boring in comparison. People watch war on the news an it blends in with fiction and many become detached…
I’ve rambled long enough… not against it, but I’m a very careful viewer.
Slackerjo says
I agree. Many shows are well acted and written but I find that TV is turning really bad people (drug dealers, murderers) into folk heroes. I really don’t want to hang out with a bunch of thugs. Strangely, I love historical fiction and since there are not a lot of career opportunities for girls with no education, I find myself enjoying the company of working girls!
Nate says
It is a delicate balance. Television as we think about it in modern terms is a movement (and dangerous). As a word, it is a noun referring to a tool. I have found curiosity, education, and knowledge – but only because I chose to use the tool carefully.
I’d love to see an even deeper dive into how modern tools can be repurposed to deliver on their promises. That could be powerful!
joshua becker says
Agreed. This is not a post arguing against the use of the medium, it is simply a reminder of its power, influence, and motivation.
Nicole says
Well said. Interesting.
I struggle with convincing the spouse. :) So I don’t try to “convince” anymore and just “am the change”…I do confess to snuggling with him once a week and watching an episode of a series. :) But comprise is part of my love!
Tracey Martin says
Well said!
fly says
Not owning a television has been one of the most stimulating choices of my life