"Values Voters" whatcha watchin'?
I found this article in the NYT very interesting: Many Who Voted for 'Values' Still Like Their Television Sin.
One of my best friends, who is very right leaning politically and religiously, and I had a discussion a while back about television. I was lamenting how it just doesn't seem that television has hit its low point yet - not even close. The television program called "Temptation Island" was just coming on the air. I found the premise of the show to be a complete absurdity and commented how far tv has slipped into the abyss. He suprised me by saying he and his wife watch it, along with every other "reality" show out there. I asked him how this fits with his "family values" and he blamed his wife - she liked it, so he was forced to watch also.
Since then, new and more obnoxious programs have come and gone. I wonder, why do these shows even get a chance to be on the air? Why? - BECAUSE WE WATCH THEM. I am very tired of hearing how the Hollywood establishment is corrupting our values, while so many Americans go to church on Sunday morning and tune into Desparate Housewives in the evening.
What to do you may ask? Choose your programs very carefully. Support quality not sensationalism. Or, turn it OFF. I have been tv-less now for just over a year and a half - and love it. The final straw for me was the war "coverage". It sickened me to see death as a spectator sport. As we were passing by an open classroom door with the tv on, one of my middle school students shouted, "Cool!" when he witnessed a 'shock and awe' explosion. I asked him if he realized that a PERSON(S) was dying in that scene, he didn't. War was just another television reality program.
By tuning out the television, I've tuned into so much more. After the first few weeks of withdrawl, life got better and better. I've read countless books, had actual conversations with my wife (not just on commercial breaks), spent better time with my kids - the list goes on. And you know what? I don't miss tv one bit.
Even my wife watches less now - although she can't break from the Food Network, which is cool by me, she's picked up some yummy recipes!
Kill your Television, you won't be sorry.
One of my best friends, who is very right leaning politically and religiously, and I had a discussion a while back about television. I was lamenting how it just doesn't seem that television has hit its low point yet - not even close. The television program called "Temptation Island" was just coming on the air. I found the premise of the show to be a complete absurdity and commented how far tv has slipped into the abyss. He suprised me by saying he and his wife watch it, along with every other "reality" show out there. I asked him how this fits with his "family values" and he blamed his wife - she liked it, so he was forced to watch also.
Since then, new and more obnoxious programs have come and gone. I wonder, why do these shows even get a chance to be on the air? Why? - BECAUSE WE WATCH THEM. I am very tired of hearing how the Hollywood establishment is corrupting our values, while so many Americans go to church on Sunday morning and tune into Desparate Housewives in the evening.
What to do you may ask? Choose your programs very carefully. Support quality not sensationalism. Or, turn it OFF. I have been tv-less now for just over a year and a half - and love it. The final straw for me was the war "coverage". It sickened me to see death as a spectator sport. As we were passing by an open classroom door with the tv on, one of my middle school students shouted, "Cool!" when he witnessed a 'shock and awe' explosion. I asked him if he realized that a PERSON(S) was dying in that scene, he didn't. War was just another television reality program.
By tuning out the television, I've tuned into so much more. After the first few weeks of withdrawl, life got better and better. I've read countless books, had actual conversations with my wife (not just on commercial breaks), spent better time with my kids - the list goes on. And you know what? I don't miss tv one bit.
Even my wife watches less now - although she can't break from the Food Network, which is cool by me, she's picked up some yummy recipes!
Kill your Television, you won't be sorry.
posted by Black Sheep at 4:17 PM
1 Comments:
Next time your married pal is glued to the boob,
(pun absolutley intended)
tell him:
"Jesus says to pass the popcorn."
hahah.
TV is trash...and that's not just because I'm holier than your mom. It's just garbage...but you're right. We ain't seen nothin yet!
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