I just finished watching an episode of the television show “The Middle”. It was an exceptionally funny episode, but it also got me thinking. In this episode the Heck family is in a money dilemma and cannot afford to pay their overdue credit card bills. Miraculously, the family wins a thousand dollars in a church bingo game. At first the parents decide that they want to do the logical thing and spend their winnings by paying for their credit card debt, but as the episode persists they are constantly persuaded by the thought of paying for cable television.
In the end the father sends a check to the credit card company, but unfortunately his wife sends in a check to the cable company to pay for an entire year of cable. The wife, after finding out that her husband spent the money on their debt, is enraged and says, “You’re un-American! It’d be sad to be you in your sad little TV-less world!”
This got me thinking, how can someone love TV so much that they’d rather pay for cable than their debt? Are we that dependent on television? What will it take for us to set our priorities straight on what is really important?
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59 minutes ago
How funny! I just finished watching "The Middle" and "Modern Family" too. What you said makes sense, though. People will do almost anything to be entertained. People sometimes just aren't satisfied with what they have. Do you ever watch shows like "Deal or No Deal" or "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" These shows are all about taking risks- wanting more. You asked when people will learn what is important versus what isn't. Well, I think it depends on who we are talking about. Someone rich. Someone poor. It all depends on where they are coming from.
ReplyDeleteOne thing is for sure, though. The smart thing to do is get priorities over with first; in the Heck's situation, pay of their debt and THEN get their cable.
Also, Melissa, there was something else I liked about this particular episode. After the Hecks had decided they were going to get rid of cable, Sue, Axl, and Brick all found other things to do besides being amused by T.V.- they 'improvised' so to say. Sue practiced for modeling (that was very funny to watch), Axl formed a band with his friends in the garage, and Brick read away! See? We CAN live without television. Oh, Postman would be SO proud of Brick!
It is amazing to acknowledge to what extent, people, more specifically us, are willing to place the opinions of the media before our priorities and matters of great importance. I, unlike many others wish to get the most significant responsibilities out of the way. Although, as a teenager, I do not believe we have many things to stress over, as opposed to the obligations adults have. It is interesting to know that some people actually think one must have a television or some sort of technological advancement in his or her lifetime to feel satisfied and content. Change in our society is not necessary, but after experiencing life with less difficulty, we feel it is absolutely essential.
ReplyDeleteAnd just like Joey mentioned above, people are willing to do almost anything to keep them entertained. Why? Because we are taught from a young age that this brings enjoyment and satisfaction.
Its funny to think it. And how they can make a tv show to joke about it but really, people would actually do that. Although we know what the right thing to do, we ignore it and say " ph thats ok well just pay for that later" and that later never comes. It is pretty sad on how dependent we are on technology. I cant remember what place it was exactly but i know there is a place where elctronics are not allowed. It would be tremendously hard for me to stop using electronics when I am surrounded by it. So i kinda want to visit this place and see how it would be knowing no one is using it.
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