As I finished reading "Amusing Ourselves to Death", this book made me realize that television is corrupting our minds. Whether the TV shows are educational or not, it makes people feel like they can't live without watching television for at least a minimum of two hours. Everyday, millions of people are watching television.
I did an observation with my 2 year old cousin and elderly great grandmother to see how they would react about not watching TV for a hour. Of course, they could not last. My little cousin learned a lot from watching kid educational shows like, "Blues Clues" and "Sesame Street." She speaks very clear at her age but, now she feel as if she can't learn anything unless it's on the television screen. Now, it's complicated when she goes to daycare because she doesn't want to read a book or anything, just watch her favorite shows. My great grandmother on the other hand, just have to watch her "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy." She says it helps her stay focused and refreshes her memory.
So, people minds are corrupt at all ages, not just young children and teenagers. Neil Postman made a valid point in this book. Over the summer I've had other people read this book as well, including my mother, and they all say this book is a mind opener to them. Now, they question everything they watch and do.
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Ashley, you are correct in saying that people can't go a long time without television. This weekend while I was camping, a group of people next to our site brought a satellite dish and a television set. Are you serious? You are camping, and yet you're watching T.V. Some people just can't get enough of it. I watch a little T.V. every day. I watch "Family Feud", "Wheel of Fortune" and other game shows. Why? Because, like your great grandmother, it keeps me focused. I watch show like "Modern Family" and "The Middle" as well. Why? Because they are funny and entertaining.
ReplyDeletePostman once said that the best shows on T.V. are the junk shows. Why? Because they aren't brainwashing us. Rather, they are entertaining us.
What is it about television that makes it so addicting? I mean, even if there is nothing on we still find ourselves watching a dumb show.
ReplyDeleteI also observed a family member's reaction to the T.V. He is my one and a half year old baby cousin and he is already addicted to "Sesame Street". For me, it was wierd to see all of his attention focused on it. Heck, I even snapped my fingers in front of his face and got no reaction.
We seriously need to cut back out T.V. use.
I agree with Alexis on how television is so addicting. I watch television about 2 hrs per week only because there is a foreign language show which has an interesting storyline. Otherwise, I would not even bother to watch television. The shows on the television are in fact dumb but the show is still entertaining which makes it so addicting. I wouldn't think that it would be easy to cut back on T.V. use because it's addicting and similar to cutting back on cellphone, computer, and other technologies.
ReplyDeleteCouch potato. Many Americans are the former. Personally, I do not watch TV. Not that it's not entertaining, I just don't like the thought of staring at the television screen for a long time and being addicted. The only shows I ever watch are Avatar: the Last Airbender and America's Best Dance Crew. Instead, I... am on the internet. Now, can we say that the internet is addicting? Yes. I go a little crazy until I can check my Facebook, Twitter, or Youtube accounts and see who has responded to my last post. I saw that you used the word "corrupt". If Television: Your family, computer: me, I wouldn't say that corruption is the correct word to use. I would probably use the word "influencing", yet I do agree with the "addictive" part. Corrupt is a VERY harsh word to use. The corruptive nature of television is through the violence and sex and drugs that are glamorized, not the addictive side. I believe that however much time a child spends in front of the TV depends on parental discipline and whether the child is exposed (and forced a little) to books, good diet, and exercise. By the time someone is a teenager or adult, they should not make watching television a hobby; it's extremely unhealthy, but I wouldn't say corruptive. Conclusively, I believe it doesn't hurt to dip your toes in a little television, as long as you don't turn into a couch potato.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! But, I don't think I'll cut back on T.V. I'm not afraid to say I love my computer and my i-pod and yup, my television. I don't watch much T.V. but when I do--boy, I watch it until there ain't no more to watch! Yes Alexis, T.V. can be bad, but no one is putting a gun to your head telling you to watch it. With self control we can all avoid being corrupted. If you refuse to be a victim of couch potato syndrome, procrastination and recycled opinions you shall survive...even with the T.V. on.
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