“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.
Kité @ kiteinthecity.com says
Ciao, Joshua.
I CAN certainly survive without television.
Or maybe because we cancelled our cable a couple of years ago that I only get to watch my 2 favorite tv series on the internet.
With that, I will say that I MAY NOT survive without internet at home. But that is another topic for another day. I know. ;)
Jake says
TV can be an educational tool. I regularly watch informative programs like Bill Moyers, Bill Maher, 60 Minutes, PBS (Frontline, Nature, Nova, Downton Abbey, Your Inner Fish, etc.) and find it beneficial. Plus, TV can be an escape in a good way. Overall, I agree there is a lot of junk on TV especially programming that emphasizes you can be famous for being stupid.
Orlando says
Back then TV’s were something we constantly adjust. Now it’s adjusting us.
Gladys (The Pinay Mom) says
I don’t watch TV much and I’m lucky enough if i sit down on the couch and stay for half an hour. The only time I watch TV is (1) when my husband accidentally found good movies to watch and (2) really interesting shows like documentaries.
shelly says
Making the decision to turn of the television in our house has completely changed the way we live our lives. It was the gateway to much larger changes that have had a profound effect the contentment and satisfaction we are now experiencing everyday. It was actually while watching a documentary on the Amish that was the tipping point. A little ironic….
Wan says
“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.”
Love how you said that, Joshua. Like all things, television can be good if we learn how to watch it deliberately.
Don’t succumb to what’s hot and trendy. Only watch programs that you deliberately choose of its benefits and not just for empty entertainment.
Bellaisa says
I love hearing about the simple truths that come from older people. They just see things so much more clearly.
You don’t actually realize how much television affects your thoughts and beliefs until you stop watching it for a while.
My husband and I took a hiatus from watching TV and were amazed at what we learned. In short, our lives had become intertwined with the ‘lives’ of the characters we watched on TV. It was like we woke up and started to pay attention to our own thoughts and feelings again.
TV can make you hate someone you loved and love someone you hate. It can also make you want something you would have never wanted in a million years. It is a powerful medium for sending the ‘perfect’ message, and viewers have to be completely aware of the manipulation going on.
Amy says
I work in a nursing home. A very small percentage of residents don’t watch t.v.
My ex in laws, in their 80s in their own home, always have 1, if not 2, t.v.s going.
I don’t own a t.v. Use laptop to watch library DVDs. So nice to be without t.v. Or internet at home.
Marya says
I got rid of my TV long ago and I am very happy for the right decision that I made. First I started to buy good DVDs, but I stopped it and now I borrow interesting DVDs from the local library and watch; it includes funny films and documentaries.
Alex@lifeandotherweirdtales says
I have to say that having been without a TV for the best part of three years has been the single best thing we have done for our life, our relationship, our spiritual life, our minimalist aspirations and general enrichment of our lives.
We choose what we want to watch (on our computer) and we spend that hour or two we would have watched TV in to read, have dinner together or even sleep! Super!
BrownVagabonder says
Thenix and I live in a 550 square foot apartment. There is no space for a TV so we don’t have one. I haven’t watched TV in ages, but sometimes I’ll be in a store or restaurant where they are playing something and I look at the screen for a few minutes. Just those few minutes of TV watching cause me to feel desire for goods that I didn’t even know existed. TV is extremely powerful and it should be watched carefully and in moderation. Thanks for the reminder.