I watched television as a child AND I read books.<\/p>\n
I was able to do BOTH THINGS? Oh no! This ruins the agenda of the “turn off the TV” fanatics!<\/p>\n
Let’s take a look:<\/p>\n
Not only did I watch television AND read books but I also watched television AND played outside for hours ….<\/p>\n
but I also watched television AND spent time with my family …<\/p>\n
but I also watched televsion AND did my homework …<\/p>\n
but I also watched television AND managed to blow through half the public library in a week’s time.<\/p>\n
If you think the balance is off in your household, then limit the amount of time you watch television. Simple. Stop acting so superior because you have no control over yourself and can’t handle having a television near you without plummeting into a 12 hour sinkhole of passive viewing. That’s YOUR problem. Stop saying, “I don’t even HAVE a television.” as though that somehow means you are morally superior<\/i>. There’s an assumption with a certain group of people that of COURSE it is BETTER to not watch television. Of COURSE.<\/p>\n
I do not share your assumption.<\/p>\n
I’m an adult, living alone, and I monitor my own television watching. I could zone out for hours watching television. I could lose hours of my life to that activity. I choose not to go there.<\/p>\n
Television ain’t the problem.<\/p>\n
The problem is YOURS.<\/p>\n
I happen to enjoy stupid shows like The Real World<\/i>. Is this evidence of moral rot? If you think it is, then again I suggest that the problem is YOURS and not mine. I also suggest that you mind your business and take care of your own damn self. Just because YOU can’t understand watching The Real World<\/i> as a leisure activity, doesn’t mean that there is something WRONG with those who DO enjoy it as a leisure activity. I enjoy shows like that because I can relax, they are mindless, I can sink into my armchair, and just chill out for a half hour … I do not think television needs to educate. To preach. I do not think entertainment needs to always be edifying. I think it’s great for escape, for fantasy, for release, for catharsis … Relaxation\/leisure time is HIGHLY undervalued in our society. So to the “what is the meaning of it all” snots I say: Fine – go watch your PBS shows or the History Channel, and do whatever you need to do. But please leave me alone so I can zone out to Breaking Bonaduce <\/i>after a 17 hour nonstop day.<\/p>\n
I watch Breaking Bonaduce<\/i> AND I carry a copy of The Federalist Papers<\/i> with me at all times – cause you never know when you’re gonna want to dip into it, right?<\/p>\n
Breaking Bonaduce<\/i>. The Federalist Papers<\/i>. Deal with THAT disconnect. I think I heard some unimaginative brains explode … the type of folks who think art ALWAYS has to be educational.<\/p>\n
I would like to state, for the record, though, that I AM learning stuff from Breaking Bonaduce<\/i>.<\/p>\n
What am I learning?<\/p>\n
— I am learning that Danny Bonaduce is OUT OF HIS MIND
\n— I am learning that there is a certain sub-set of celebrity in Hollywood whose ONLY HOPE is to appear on a reality show
\n— I am learning that rehab is no picnic – even if you go to a cushy rehab center outside of Los Angeles with new agey therapists, and rock-climbing
\n— I am learning that somehow Danny Bonaduce’s wife is able to weep in her therapists’ office and still look gorgeous. I need to know what kind of foundation she uses. Even when she cries it doesn’t clump up.
\n— I am learning that it is bad to mix steroids with Vicodin and alcohol<\/p>\n
I am learning MANY things.<\/p>\n
But mostly. It’s entertaining. It’s interesting. I enjoy relaxation. I take it where I can get it these days.<\/p>\n
I live primarily in my mind. In case you haven’t noticed. I am a heady bookworm-ish intense and kind of uptight person. My body is stiff … but my head is WHIRLING with thoughts … ya got it? I don’t relax easily.<\/p>\n
But with certain shows, I can just sink back, let it all go, let my brain off the hook for half an hour … and be entertained.<\/p>\n
Now the “turn off the TV” cabal will never accept this explanation from me, an explanation that comes out of my own life, my own experience. They’re the black-and-white people. They have one stance: TV is BAD. TV is bad: talk to your family! Read books instead!!!<\/p>\n
Again: why the either\/or? As a child, I talked to my family. AND I watched James at 15<\/i> religiously. I didn’t NOT talk to my family because I ALSO watched television. What effed-up world do these people live in? What if the Eight is Enough episode that changed my life<\/a> had been aired during some TV Turnoff week extravaganza?? I would then have not seen the show that gave me the inspirational strength to get me through the rest of junior high. You think I’m exaggerating? I’m not.<\/p>\n So yes: if you watch TV for 6 hours every day you’ve got some problems – but the problem is NOT the television. The problem is YOU. So what that it’s there? That means it always has to be on? No – that means that YOU have no control over your impulses. I have a box of ice cream sandwiches in my freezer. Does that mean I should eat 10 in one sitting? Uhm – no. I have them there for when I feel like something sweet. If I can’t control myself – and I know I can’t control myself – then I should not have ice cream sandwiches in the house.<\/p>\n It’s the superiority<\/i> I can’t stand. It’s the condescension<\/i> I can’t stand. It’s the nosy busybody moral-scold<\/i> snottiness that I cannot stand. From people who don’t get it anyway. I don’t want to be scolded by people who don’t understand relaxation and entertainment in the first place!!<\/p>\n The attitude appears to be: Since I personally don’t see the point in Big Brother: The Celebrity Version<\/i> – then NO ONE should see the point in it.<\/p>\n Oh wait … but that’s my real point. Shows like that DON’T have a point. Shows like that are … ENTERTAINMENT. There is no point. If you want a point – then watch the news, or watch the History Channel, or watch documentaries. But there is a PLACE for stuff that HAS NO POINT. So just shut UP. SHUT UP about how bad pop culture is. SHUT UP. There is PLENTY of stuff out there for ALL OF US.<\/p>\n I know it’s an extremely difficult thing to grasp: but I watch The Real World<\/i> AND I watch The History Channel<\/i>.<\/p>\n If you can’t deal with that, then you seriously need more help than just turning off a television will give you. Actually, Danny Bonaduce’s therapist seems like a really good guy (even though he appears to have had his face ironed out into a silk-like smoothness that is highly unnatural) … maybe you should give him a call!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I watched television as a child AND I read books. I was able to do BOTH THINGS? Oh no! This ruins the agenda of the “turn off the TV” fanatics! Let’s take a look: Not only did I watch television … Continue reading