Is TV good for us?

[Insanewoman389]

Yes, this is something that frustrates me also. I tend to avoid any shows about aliens, ghosts, mythical creatures and conspiracies. These shows are usually interview/narrative heavy, so they're easy to avoid.

I'm much more fond of shows that actually teach practical things and present fact checkable stuff. Like bush craft show with Ray Mears/Les Stroud, or shows like Dirty Jobs which often are convincingly honest.

I LOVE the shows about aliens, mythical creatures, and conspiracies!!! Especially conspiracies and aliens, which is probably why I love the X-files <3 That and I love any type of show that are interview/narrative heavy, it's normally what I have on for background noise for when I'm on the computer. That and I just find it comforting mainly cause it's what I'll watch when I'm sick, something about it is just so soothing and comforting :]

 

[Rembrandt Broam]

I'm quite selective about what I watch on TV. I have no real interest in reality TV shows or the singing/talent shows, and there seem to be a lot of them on these days. I never just sit in front of the TV surfing channels because I only watch certain shows, and so I only put the TV on specificly to watch those, and then I switch if off and go back to doing something else.

I don't think TV is bad for you, unless you watch it excessively.

 

[Razzlecherry]

That poll is extremely biased.

 

[EscapeArtist]

I can't decide, there is a difference between educational shows and shows that supply you with a false sense of community (friends anybody?).

I think there is a time for uplifting false-community type shows because they often involve humor, and a lot of the time we social anxious peeps take things a bit seriously and could use a bit of lighthearted humor.

I see nothing wrong with educational shows as long as they are based on fact and not psuedoscience or false studies. I've learned a lot from watching documentaries, biographies, shows about the effects of drugs on communities or eating disorders or lions in kenya or the biggest lake in the world ETC..

I guess it's more about how much time you spend watching TV and also your thoughts while you watch tv. It's such a general question.

As for Ads brainwashing and skinny people setting high standards and stuff, that could be a potential problem for somebody with little life experience, especially somebody who has always been rather isolated.

i'm sorry I can't decide!

 

[Hellhound]

no, watching television will just make you feel inadequate

that's their whole strategy - to make you think you're missing something in your life because you're not as "whatever" as the characters portrayed

but, amazingly, they have just the product you need to purchase to make your life complete...

and they tell you this over and over every fifteen minutes for how many hours a day for how many years?

do yourself a favor and drop an anvil on your television if you want to work on your self-esteem

[/rant]

All of my internets. Here, have them.

 

[Predacon]

Tv isn't inherently good or bad. I think it all depends on the programmes you're watching, if something's making you feel bad don't watch it and its like everything moderation is the key.

 

[LazyHermitCrab]

I like running in the rain and then watching a movie... I feel life should be a balence. When I was a kid the technology wasn't as good but I didn't go out more because of it... i'm a super introvert.

 

[Arthur_Dent]

 

[1BlackSheep]

^^ Lol - that's me!

I agree that TV can be both educational and entertaining. You can learn how to cook or about a country you want to visit, keep up with what's going on in your local area or the world, or just watch for mindless enjoyment! If it's not your thing, that's fine too. No big deal!

 

[dottie]

@arthur omg dexter's lab?! now that is GOOD tv!

 

[Helmaninquiel]

no, watching television will just make you feel inadequate

that's their whole strategy - to make you think you're missing something in your life because you're not as "whatever" as the characters portrayed

but, amazingly, they have just the product you need to purchase to make your life complete...

and they tell you this over and over every fifteen minutes for how many hours a day for how many years?

do yourself a favor and drop an anvil on your television if you want to work on your self-esteem

[/rant]

Yeah that and the News, all the News does is scare everyone.

 

[coyote]

Yeah that and the News, all the News does is scare everyone.

the news is just like any other programming - the sole purpose is to get people to watch so that they'll see the commercials

the companies who are advertising pay the news producers - that's how the news departments pay the reporters, buy cameras, pay for lights, etc.

if no one watched the news, no one would see the commercials, and so no one would pay to advertise during their program - so they would have no money to operate and they would fold

so they create programming that people want to watch - high drama

"the truth" is a secondary consideration

 

[BlackPuma]

That poll is extremely biased.

It's why I haven't voted. I guess not voting and commenting instead conveys opinions just fine too. ;3

 

[WeirdyMcGee]

I would say don't bother with TV... although I'm on the internet right now-- which one could argue is just as bad or worse than television... and the Walking Dead is on tonight... so, yes. I will be watching TV.
Is it good for us? No.
It would be more productive for me to be working a field or churning butter or building a house but unless you're Amish (or a a reinactor... or a contractor), you probably don't do those things these days.
Is being informed good for us? Yeah-- but does TV really inform is of anything worthwhile? Some could argue 'rarely'.

haha

 

[Bustn Justin]

When I took a week off the internet I thouht about how much TV I watch.

The majority of my shows are on Sunday night with the animated shows like the Simpsons and Family guy. I just got into the Walking Dead and Breaking Bad on that night as well. During the week, I now watch How I Met Your Mother and the Big Bang Theory.

I used to watch Intervention as well but its now just the same thing every week and getting bored of it. They used to cover different addictions like shopping, gambling, and video games. Now its just drug addicts; I am glad the show gets them help but its just not appealing to me anymore..

As for the box sets I do like collecting them for my fave shows and once a week I just chill out with some pizza and watch them with no commercials.

My guilty pleasure for TV is watching Jerry Springer just becuase the guests are so stupid its hilarious.

 

[MollyBeGood]

Everything in moderation but T.v. is there to program you so be warned it's not all unicorns and rainbows they are trying to get your soul!!
Mwhaahahahah...srsly it's evil kiddies.

PBS is okay though, i think.

 

[johan]

i love tv, if i diden't have tv i would feel so much more alone. and i like advertising to.
some of them are funny and some of them are interesting but that may be because i am interesting in advertising psychology.
ofc i get affected of advertising, but just turn off the TV will not help to avoid being influenced by advertising. tv is the best

 

[Gaucho]

no, unless you watch national geographic or similar

 

[OceanMist]

It's not bad for us. It's something to do that is entertaining.

If I eliminated TV, I may commit suicide.

Is TV a substitute for social interaction? Yes. Why is that a bad thing? It's not.

Many folks on this site don't enjoy most social interaction. If you eliminate TV, many of us are left with nothing to do. Many of us don't like social interaction.

When you make us do something we don't we like, we may not do it. Then we sit in our house with nothing to do. Boredom leads to depression which leads to possible suicide.

If we really want to go out and socialize, we will eventually. But taking away tv isn't going to be a guaranteed road to salvation. Could be a road to death.

It's up to us what we do with our lives. TV can be turned off. There is an off switch.

 

[Fighter86]

Influences from tv aside I think I am just really lucky the tv existed I use it for background sound and pretty much watch it everyday when I get back from work. I don't have much else to do.