Lonelyguy20
Member
Yeah my uncle loves watching that show but I myself would rather hear the truth than all these crap conspiracy theories.
Is TV good for us?
- Thread starter mikebird
- Start date
Yeah my uncle loves watching that show but I myself would rather hear the truth than all these crap conspiracy theories.
truffleshuffle
Well-known member
I have a few shows I like to watch and I have a dvr that I run through my computer but I don;t watch tv that often. I go sometimes over a week with out watching anything. I have even been considering getting rid of my cable for a while now. I do watch alot of netfilix though.
Roman Legion
Well-known member
I use a TV as a makeshift computer monitor for gaming, I play video games because I can't help but play them. Before I had video games, I had books to escape reality, now I have the instant gratification of mowing virtual people down with a vast armoury of guns and explosives, I can escape to the magical world in the Elder Scrolls games or watch things on the internet. I should lock my laptop in my army box and remove a key component to my gaming PC and hand the key to someone I trust not to allow me to indulge my weak willpower and finally quit or at least use it far less. I'd have to relocate a few things as my hygine stuff among other things are kept in there. I could only allow myself the last 3 things I have which are my guitar, kindle and ipod, but I rely on the internet for guitar tabs and chords. Also, the sun always shines on TV..lol
a-ha - The Sun Always Shines On TV - YouTube
a-ha - The Sun Always Shines On TV - YouTube
twiggle
Well-known member
^^ 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!
Well said
I don't really watch many television programmes but sometimes it's a nice bit of light-relief before bed. And documentaries about travel/culture etc are interesting too and can give you some food for thought.
But I wouldn't want to make television part of my routine ever. Too much of it and its kinda boring, just sat there watching a screen. I also prefer to watch it alone. I don't really like watching tv with other people, it feels like a waste of time which could better be spent conversing.
OceanMist
Well-known member
My gigantic complaint about tv are commercials and editing.
The worst is when a cool movie is on and then it's like oh, I can't watch it because they will make me blow up due to cutting and editing the swearing and violence and then leave me on a wim with a commercial interruption right before every good scene.
The worst is when a cool movie is on and then it's like oh, I can't watch it because they will make me blow up due to cutting and editing the swearing and violence and then leave me on a wim with a commercial interruption right before every good scene.
dottie
Well-known member
this.
and this brings me to a rant...
basic television should be free (beyond the cable hookup). why would someone pay to watch advertisements? that is so backwards. if i am taking my time to listen, opening my mind to their corporate brainwashing, allowing their influence over me... that is not something i should pay for.
fortunately, books, websites, and radio still adhere to this.
lyricalliaisons
Well-known member
My life would be empty without television. I have no friends, no social life, and nothing to do with my days other than clean, cook, take care of my mom, and escape from the horridness by watching TV or getting on the internet. I love TV. It's been good for me to keep my connection to the world open and has helped my imagination greatly.
knowledgeofself
Well-known member
tv ads irritate the hell out of me. I understand that they need to advertise to bring in customers and beat their competition, but its so intrusive. I am rarely influenced to buy anything by them either.
televison can sometimes be good, documentaries and programs learning about the lives of others which I wouldn't normally get to experience. also I am a big fan of films, there are some great films out there which (being poor and socially avoidant) the tv was my only exposure to see them.
there is a lot of crap on tv though, like a lot of those saturday night dating shows or pop idol/factor rubbish, stuff which encourages us to heckle at the tv at anyone who isn't "normal". consumerism driven programs can be annoying too especially ones with an underlying agenda hidden beneath a veil of slick production.
televison can sometimes be good, documentaries and programs learning about the lives of others which I wouldn't normally get to experience. also I am a big fan of films, there are some great films out there which (being poor and socially avoidant) the tv was my only exposure to see them.
there is a lot of crap on tv though, like a lot of those saturday night dating shows or pop idol/factor rubbish, stuff which encourages us to heckle at the tv at anyone who isn't "normal". consumerism driven programs can be annoying too especially ones with an underlying agenda hidden beneath a veil of slick production.
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Flanscho
Well-known member
I don't watch TV. I watch two movies at the weekly movie evening with friends, but that's it. Oh, and maybe once every few months an interesting documentation.
Else? I don't need it. 99.9% of the entertainment shows suck in my opinion, and the internet is a faster source of information too.
I don't think that watching some TV daily is that bad, but I don't gain anything from it. And people who watch too much lose a lot too.
Else? I don't need it. 99.9% of the entertainment shows suck in my opinion, and the internet is a faster source of information too.
I don't think that watching some TV daily is that bad, but I don't gain anything from it. And people who watch too much lose a lot too.
Hermit The Frog
Member
the poll question wasn't specific enough, and the poll options too limited
Roman Legion
Well-known member
Too bad you're in the UK, I'd gladly sell you my TV, I only use it as a computer monitor.
Opaline
1
I'm sure he's aware it's biased, I think he did it as a joke. And I certainly hope anyone who voted on the poll was aware. I voted just for fun My real answer is everything in moderation, and yes there are some quality shows to be found. It's not all crap... yet.
Of course, if a certain someone sees to it that PBS is no longer funded, the quality of television may drop down so low that I'll never touch it again. Even some of the more "nerdy" channels like Discovery are becoming more reality-TV oriented. Ugh.
My real answer is everything in moderation, and yes there are some quality shows to be found. It's not all crap... yet. Of course, if a certain someone sees to it that PBS is no longer funded, the quality of television may drop down so low that I'll never touch it again. Even some of the more "nerdy" channels like Discovery are becoming more reality-TV oriented. Ugh.
U
user deleted
Guest
mikebird
Banned
Also remembering...
When I was a kiddie watching TV, most shows lasted exactly half an hour, for many years - any type - comedy, documentary, the News, etc.
I was raised by Chris Tarrant on Rainbow. Dangermouse. Wombles... Bagpuss. Top of the Pops. Glad that's gone. A-Team & Knight Rider :applause:
Now Tarrant does extreme railways in the 1 hour format
Now we have 1 hour long for everything. Hmmm... did that raise the bar for a producer to trump up more cash... more cost, or to hook in more addicted viewers. There much be a heavy amount of psychology involved in planning programming... and the advertising to pull in more sponsorship. The vast majority of audience never think about or question the scheduling and changes. It's all a simple addiction for all mammals with ears and eyes. Square screen cocaine for the brain. Who ever says 'NO!' to Television?
Still 30 minutes for SOAP drams
When I was a kiddie watching TV, most shows lasted exactly half an hour, for many years - any type - comedy, documentary, the News, etc.
I was raised by Chris Tarrant on Rainbow. Dangermouse. Wombles... Bagpuss. Top of the Pops. Glad that's gone. A-Team & Knight Rider :applause:
Now Tarrant does extreme railways in the 1 hour format
Now we have 1 hour long for everything. Hmmm... did that raise the bar for a producer to trump up more cash... more cost, or to hook in more addicted viewers. There much be a heavy amount of psychology involved in planning programming... and the advertising to pull in more sponsorship. The vast majority of audience never think about or question the scheduling and changes. It's all a simple addiction for all mammals with ears and eyes. Square screen cocaine for the brain. Who ever says 'NO!' to Television?
Still 30 minutes for SOAP drams
JackOfSpades
Well-known member
It depends on what shows you're indulging in. And TVs place in your life.
Plenty of shows are educational. Even ones that are not can be uplifting. Or tell you a story that influences you. Plays have been around since the beginning of time.
Are plays destructive to self esteem and confidence to?
The question in the OP is too broad. It's all dependent on a lot of sub questions. I don't watch reality TV, or most TV. I'm not particularly sensitive to uncontrollable indulgence in it, and I am to other things some other people might not be. So it's not TV as much as the person and their use, and their sensitivities or triggers.
Plenty of shows are educational. Even ones that are not can be uplifting. Or tell you a story that influences you. Plays have been around since the beginning of time.
Are plays destructive to self esteem and confidence to?
The question in the OP is too broad. It's all dependent on a lot of sub questions. I don't watch reality TV, or most TV. I'm not particularly sensitive to uncontrollable indulgence in it, and I am to other things some other people might not be. So it's not TV as much as the person and their use, and their sensitivities or triggers.
I agree with alot in the O.P
No I don't think ALL T.V is evil or bad. And its not my business what other people do/watch.
Things can be used for negative or positive purposes.
However I only watch when it serves me, rather than me serving it and being sucked in by adverts and such things.
I nealy always mute the adverts if I do watch. I Ipretty much only ever watch something I find funny (comedy), or interesting (documentaries). And I only ever really watch at my mums house now. So I dont watch alot.
And Charlie Brooker's "How TV ruined your life" is one of the things I DO like to watch hah, whoever posted that.
No I don't think ALL T.V is evil or bad. And its not my business what other people do/watch.
Things can be used for negative or positive purposes.
However I only watch when it serves me, rather than me serving it and being sucked in by adverts and such things.
I nealy always mute the adverts if I do watch. I Ipretty much only ever watch something I find funny (comedy), or interesting (documentaries). And I only ever really watch at my mums house now. So I dont watch alot.
And Charlie Brooker's "How TV ruined your life" is one of the things I DO like to watch hah, whoever posted that.
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JackOfSpades
Well-known member
I do know some people who don't own a TV, and legitimately don't watch much video entertainment at all. Not on computers or otherwise. I envy them on some level and wonder how they do that. Even often I'll see someone very skilled, perhaps a great musician, and it'll occur to me that while I was watching TV, he was probably devoting to this.
mikebird
Banned
The image above is about Dad who likes only sport and nothing else. The volume is so loud that it really hurts my ears and makes me flinch, as he sits bent over, rolling his next cigarette
Best TV I ever saw was LOST
second to that came Star Trek New Generation
the human social conditioning built in.
Don't let kids watch it, but nature documentaries are important
Best mind conditioning is novel-reading, along with carefully-selected favourite music
I know this makes good for handling strangers and interviews, supplying much better fodder for your thoughts. eg. some Iain Banks gets me back to myself
Effort required to overcome my long-term Eastenders addiction
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Odo
Banned
I agree with the person who said 'everything in moderation'.
TV has gotten a lot better in the past decade… there's a lot of garbage but I honestly don't know what you're watching if you're seeing perfect lives full of sunshine and rainbows… maybe you're just watching commercials.
Look at a lot of the acclaimed cable shows (a lot of them are definitely worth watching) and you'll see storytelling superior to any film. If you're not big on being entertained that's fine but dismissing all television as a bad thing is pretty dumb. It used to be the cool thing to say you didn't watch TV because it was pretty bad, but it has gotten a lot smarter and a lot more worthwhile… there are definitely shows out there that have something to say.
TV has gotten a lot better in the past decade… there's a lot of garbage but I honestly don't know what you're watching if you're seeing perfect lives full of sunshine and rainbows… maybe you're just watching commercials.
Look at a lot of the acclaimed cable shows (a lot of them are definitely worth watching) and you'll see storytelling superior to any film. If you're not big on being entertained that's fine but dismissing all television as a bad thing is pretty dumb. It used to be the cool thing to say you didn't watch TV because it was pretty bad, but it has gotten a lot smarter and a lot more worthwhile… there are definitely shows out there that have something to say.