It isn't the medium, it's the programming.

There's a vast wasteland of crap out there, no question. But, I'm really glad I have TV to help me relax late at night with some sci-fi, or to catch up on some news.

 

Actually there are a few good things to say about television. It is probably the greatest birth control device ever invented. The history channel is excellent, and where else can you get to see some of the great old movies (and the old silent movies too). No more having to stand outside the Thalia or Regency in the freezing cold at 2 o'clock on a Saturday morning to see an old Groucho Marx flick.

Other than that, its a waste of time. The difference between now and 25 years ago is that back then there were 10 channels with useless content. Today there are 180 channels with useless content.

I also agree. USA Today is like TV on paper. Give me the NY Times and I'm happy.

 

I don't believe I can post here... I have a fairly strong TiVo addiction. But then again, I'm also over-weight. Probably a connection there .

But the points made here are certainly worth merit. Just that I happen to enjoy entertainment that TV provides. There I'm talking about shows such as Lost, Prison Break, 24, Grey's Anatomy, Threshold, Nip/Tuck, Survivor...my tastes (or lack of ) span some areas of programming. But I also enjoy sitcoms like Seinfeld and Raymond. Again...I don't watch these to learn something. I enjoy them to break away from the tensions of the day. I know how to read...but reading seldom provides me the same [immediate gratification] enjoyment that a 30 min or 1 hour show offers.

...ooops! Just finished FF through the commercials of Prison Break. Gotta go now! (oh...I'm a quick typer too ).

- Dave

PS. As for News?...I recently stated it in another thread before I was aware of Rick's here...but I see the news as having its own agenda. There is no middle of the road with any news organization. Its complete effort is to twist a small percentage of a fact, and make it out to be what's happening everywhere . I trust nothing that the news offers. But then again, I don't trust politicians. As a matter of fact...I really don't trust too many people at all

 

^^ Welcome to my world . I'm not very trusting of people either. Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention in my listing of the few things I particularly enjoy watching on television: House. It comes on Fox and is opposite Commander in Chief, so I don't see CiC. House is a crotchety totally irritable physician who specializes in the treatment of diseases that are difficult to diagnose and is played by Hugh Laurie . I think I like the program because it is unusual in that Dr. House is a total jerk at times but absolutely dedicated to his craft (and he looks sooo much like my +1). I agree with W1ngman that sometimes I just simply want to do something mindless and reading requires the use of my mind. I enjoy reading and probably read at least three or four books a month, but sometimes I'm brainweary and tv provides that escape I occasionally need. I don't, however, watch sitcoms and other than that A&E program about that fruity funeral home, don't care for "reality" programming either.

 

As a propaganda device, newspapers can't hold a candle to television. Witness Fox News. At least the New York Times analyzes, admits, and publishes it's own mistakes.

Fox News would make a Nazi proud. They've mastered the art of lies masquerading as truth.

And let's not even talk about the propaganda spewed out by the endless commercials that make the whole idiot box possible. Indeed, idiot box is an apt description of the device. It's a tool perfectly suited for deception and perfectly incapable as a medium for the exchange of ideas.

 

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I don't know, Cordy. I think newpapers are in a decline because people are lazy. It's easier to have the news fed to you by TV than it is to read it and think about what you are reading.

I also think advertisers have realized that their dollars are more effective on TV than in print. In the early 60s there was a newspaper strike in New York and the big department stores paniced until they discovered TV. After that, and the discovery of how big the bang for the buck on TV was, there was no looking back.

 

"Studies show" otherwise, Rob. Or maybe people just don't like black thumbs...

 

Do you think that "news" web pages, from the big web guys (MSN, AOL, etc.) have any impact on this? They're one-way too, and no one can deny their biases.

 

Although the TV is "ON" a lot of the time, I don't spend much time watching it. I'm on Satellite out here in the sticks. I watch the History, Discovery, Health channel, and Travel channel most often. Fox and Friends in the morning while sipping coffee and Speed Channel, when I can get motorcycle races. Exceptions are Bones and House on Tuesdays and 24 when it returns in January. I'll watch some key college football games, if I have time or the weather is bad. I hit the internet for AP and Reuter's news twice a day, and never, never read newspapers. Ever! Like many of you, I read a lot - like all the time - but only non-fiction.