TV or not TV That is The Question
TV or No?
It has been 15 months since we stopped watching TV. We have two sets but they only see action when we rent a movie or put on a DVD from our slowly growing collection.
We stopped watching TV when we moved. Why? Well when we first moved fro Ontario to New Brunswick we decided to subscribe to cable. We had not previously been susbribers being satisfied with the four channels we could receive without it. A VCR and dvd player opened the door to programming we could choose to watch, when we choose to watch it.
Our, then videocassette collection, consisted of about 125 titles, and a few dvds rounded it out/ Movie rentals were cheap and offered an opportunity to get out for a walk and do some business with a locally owned and operated business.
There was ore than enough to watch. I am not interested in sports, am fond of food and gardening shows, but the Internet feeds this fondness a number of times over.
As I write this I am sitting in a hotel roo, in downtown Fredericton, New Brunswick. When I stand up, I look out the window and see the Saint John River. Fredericton is the provincal capital and home to the Lord Beaverbrook Art Gallery.
There is a big Tv set sitauted almost directly behind me as I type. It has been turned on twice; both ties as part of an experiment to see what was on. The first time was this morning at 10:30 am. What can I say, if I was not writing this hub, there would be little point in switching the ste on. Of course there was programing but nothing worth investing my time on. And that is the central point, when we elect to do something to engage in an activity what we are doing is investing our time in that activity. Time we do not regain.
Last night, after a walk and supper out, we came back to the room and turned on the set. Little grabbed our attention but we were looking for the Space channel. Reruns of Star Trek greeted us when we found it and Stargate: Atlantis. Now we both like Star Trek and the original Stargate was okay, not as good as the movie but watchable. So we enjoyed an evening with a few of our favourite fictional characters. It will be sometime before we do it again.
Yesterday, we visited a locally owned bookstore and I purchased three Michael Moorcock books all at a very reduced price. The time invested in wandering around the bookstore, talking with the staff was well invested.
Tonight we will eat in the hotel dining room and will most likely watch some Star Trek before retiring. We leave for home early tomorrow morning and it is a five hour drive. The answer to TV or not TV is not TV. We could get more channels if we choose to spend more money but the expenditure of the money is secondary to how we choose to spend our time.
How many hours per week do you wtach TV programming?
Comments
AUTHORSeasme St is pretty cool TV, thanks for dropping by.
Right on Bob! We are pretty much a non using TV family here in So Cali. I think we are the only ones. We had one old set that was about 13 inch 1980 era tv. We recently bought a larger flat panel TV thinking we might watch more to only be shocked, surprised and disappointed at the junk on TV. Other then missing Discovery and History channel we are pretty happy. Recently hooked the computer up to the tv and we watch DVD's at times, and have a small set of rabbit ears so the kids can watch Sesame Street. Which I must admit I enjoy myself. On the rare occasion the kids do watch TV at a friends they always want to buy new toys after watching commercials it is just a big pain. DVD's and possible netflix are all we will ever need.
- AUTHOR
Thanks for dropping by.
Spot on! I seldom watch TV either.
- AUTHOR
There is much negative energy on TV, thanks for dropping by.
I stopped watching tv about a year ago. I was tired of the negative influences. I'm happier this way.
- AUTHOR
I have gotten ideas from TV programs but I watch them on dvd,we own a few favourite series. Ideas are everywhere. Thanks you all for dropping by.
I'm with you on this. We do not have cable or any other pay TV, but the various pay TV companies call us continuously. Paying for TV just means I would feel like I have to watch it in order to get my money's worth.
I agree with you that television can be a waste of time. It can also be an intrusion. I am a news junkie so I like to keep the box on but many times I mute the volume and turn on the sound when somethingI find interesting appears. I find myself more offended by the commercials than much of the programming. It is difficult to watch a cooking program and watch medication commercials for male problems... Good hub with an interesting perspective.
The quality of programms have dropped dramatically and I switch off TV for hours, almost the whole day. I find hubpages far more intresting ro read. Thanks for your hub.
That's great! I must admit I have yet to learn to live without tv. I use it to watch the news and follow a few programs. I can go for days without opening it though so I'm not that dependent on it. However, I must also say that I have picked up some nice quotes and a few ideas from tv.
Great hub Bob!
- AUTHOR
Thanks for dropping by and enjoy the seasons/
Brilliant! We have become so accustomed to "tuning-out" in front of the TV and frankly I am so glad that Spring and Summer have returned to my part of the world (Australia) because the days are longer, warmer and sweeter - especially that time just after dinner when it's a blessing to be able to take the dogs for a walk in the cooler evening air. As an aside - last night we came across a Koala on the side of the road, he basically ignored us and slowly climbed into the nearest tree and settled down for a nap. Now we wouldn't have had that wonderful close encounter if we were wasting our precious time in front of the TV! Nice work Bob.
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