Digital TV: Mind Control by the Sound of Silence

Pinkerton said:
Inti said:
chachachick said:
Absolutely no negative results whatsoever from avoiding tv.

Hmm, I'm not sure about this. I haven't watched TV for about 15 years. I always found TV really boring and many other activities fascinating so never bothered with it. However, I have noticed that my not watching TV sometimes means I am out of touch with many others' ways of thinking.

Well, if others' way of thinking is influenced by television, then I don't think being out of touch with it is such a bad thing. Television is NOT reality. It's escape from it.
I agree, I've lived abroad for many years, when I visit the UK it always amazes me how most peoples conversations are dominated by TV trivia. They are dumbfounded by my not knowing certain 'celebrities' they discuss and the contrast makes it easy to see the dominance the tube has on peoples lives.

Reminds me of an interesting 5 minute youtube video that uses current TV footage interspersed with the clip from "Network" 1976 -- entitled 'Turn off your TV!'

_http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9wCAQz73tA&feature=related
 
If a person looks to television as a way to relax and unwind, let me suggest getting all the "All In the Family" shows on DVD... and Perry Mason... and "Golden Girls"... and a bunch of Joan Crawford and Bette Davis movies (also Deanna Durbin) and watch an episode or two when you feel the need to "detune."
 
[edit: cleanup and other additions]

I know quite a few people go on incessantly talking about TV show
personalities, who is who is connected to whom, their genealogy, their
girlfriend/boyfriend/families, their charities, their material (show-off)
wealth, big homes, bling blings, reality shows, game shows, and the list
is quite endless. Quite frankly, all of this mindless drama turns me off.

There is, imo, no real knowledge quotient in most of this "babbletalk".

It seems to me, that perhaps some people who are so enamoured into this
drivel, are completely detached/disassociated from their own personalities,
are somehow taking on a completely different personality, not of one's own?
Zombie nation?

Is it possible, that watching (mindless drivel) on TV can reduce or completely
obliterate/alter one's own true personality, replacing it with something of an
alter-personality or a "mosaic" personality, completely different from one's own?

Subliminal (re)programming of one's self?

Many thoughts to ponder....

FWIW,
Dan
 
This was always a dilemma that i would wrestle with when i used TV to unwind, relax, escape, .etc....i found that as Bruce Springsteen said "57 channels and nothings on"............so as a result i took to walking that turned into hiking and found that it provided time to think in a clear environment free of noise, static and escape of demands life for a short time .........This not assault on TV viewing or viewers but chose to use time another way with dealing with R&R..........the decoupling i felt when i pushed myself with exercise and the environment for 2 hours minimum helped to really help to shake the stress out to hang to dry ...........Diet was part of the regimen that extend the journey with out discomfort for more enjoyment and output for reflection or feed back in growing stronger which help prevent injuries.......i don't' mean to preach but to share .............i still go to the movies but more to monitor the systems influence in the subliminal status in whats is being project at the time ........as how there conditioning society for .? .........i also us the computer for DVDs .........but i would rather read......or walk and better hike .....!
 
Frankly, I would rather read than anything else. Whenever I am compelled for politeness to watch a movie, I'm always antsy to get back to my current book. And, if conditions permit, I may say "I know what's gonna happen so I'll just go on up to bed..." which means, of course, that I am going to read...
 
Laura said:
Frankly, I would rather read than anything else. Whenever I am compelled for politeness to watch a movie, I'm always antsy to get back to my current book. And, if conditions permit, I may say "I know what's gonna happen so I'll just go on up to bed..." which means, of course, that I am going to read...

:D I used to drive my family nuts on movie nights growing up. In five minutes, I'd just grunt and leave the room, muttering that I'd figured it out and didn't need to see it. :lol: I'd rather read or write or sew...anything else.

I try to make a point of taking 'technology breaks', to get away from everything; TV, computer, phones, cars, everything. When possible, I take 3 weeks away, that seems to be the best help to rest the mind. Primitive Camping works wonders for this, especially if you know someone who has land to camp in, to be sure you're away from transformers and power lines.

Just another idea, fwiw.
 
And to avoid TV altogether, you can listen to old time radio shows.

_http://www.oldtimeradiofans.com/

Shows like:
Amos and Andy, CBS Radio Mystery Theater, Fear on Four, Sherlock Holmes, Bob Hope Show, Charlie Chan, Ellery Queen, Suspense, Dimension X & 2000 Plus (Sci Fi) Hopalong Cassidy & Gunsmoke (Westerns) and more.

edit, typos
 
I listen to BBC Radio over the internet, and highly recommend BBC4 and BBC7 as great sources for programs devoted to plays, book readings, comedy, history, documentaries, quiz shows, etc. You can listen "live", or do what I do, which is to find the program I want to hear and then use the "Listen Again" feature.
 
Laura said:
Anybody ever listen to "Firesign Theatre"?

Can't say I have (until now!)
Quite a collection of pobcasts (both audio/video) or there shows here _http://www.firesigntheatre.com/podcasting/
Reminds me of some of the things I like listening too on Radio4 (the link PepperFritz posted), they've done some very similar productions recently. Not to mention the old classics like the goons show.
 
Laura said:
Anybody ever listen to "Firesign Theatre"?

I've enjoyed their rapid-fire wacky humor for years. One of the members is a friend of mine. They still get together and perform now & then.
 
thevenusian said:
Laura said:
Anybody ever listen to "Firesign Theatre"?

I've enjoyed their rapid-fire wacky humor for years. One of the members is a friend of mine. They still get together and perform now & then.

Hi thevenusian,

I fixed the Laura's quotation.

If you want some info about how to quote a post, you can go here or here
 
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