No, I'm not talking about moving to New Zealand (although it's similar). I'm talking about living without a TV.
That's right. I was skeptical at first but now I think it's fabulous. To be fair, we watch a few bits online here and there and of course we rent movies to watch on our laptop.
Sure there are some (tons of) conversations that make me feel a bit out of the loop. And for a journalism major, I'd be lying if I didn't tell you I feel guilty not having one eye on the news at all times. But it's a relief to let it go. One minute Diane Sawyer is complaining about the folks who lost their jobs from the gulf oil spill. Then next minute she's complaining because it's been (hopefully) fixed and the clean-up crews are getting laid off. I've grown tired of the constant "who's screwing us know?" talk. And I'm pretty happy to avoid all the political ads this time of year.
On our trip to the States last month, I sat up late watching TV several nights while I waited for my jet lag to pass. Some of it was worthwhile but most was pretty stupid. Okay, I admit I was watching the less-than-educational 1-4am shows, but it was really bad.
I'd like to think I have more time to read, plan our travel, blog and be a good housekeeper, but it's probably not the case since I spend so much time on Facebook and news websites. But it's a pretty incredible and liberating feeling to go without. I invite you to try it for a day or a week and see if it's right for you.
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5 comments:
We have a TV, but we don't subscribe to any channels. People constantly forget this and will start to talk to us about shows, and we have to remind them that don't watch any of them. We do watch movies and have some TV series on DVD, but I'm fine with reading the news online :-)
Ooo, I love it when people don't have TV's. I only watch a hour or two a week, unless a movie grabs me. But I am guilty of spending too much time at the computer.
PP -- I have to listen to those conversations all the time too. I just end up doing a lot of smiling and nodding.
Juli -- one or two hours a week? That's impressive.
Absolutely not! But thanks for the invitation.
You're going to have a hard time re-integrating into american society. You better start easing your way in again.
it's nicknamed "the idiot box" for a reason. I've had this war with my wife for ~7 years. Odd timing, two weeks ago she said "oh, i get it - you do get a lot more done when you don't turn the TV on". Yea, and you don't have useful neural circuits sucked out of your head on a minute-by-minute basis either. Every now and then I "plug in and drop out", but that's just me glueing my ass to the couch for a day. Other than that, probably average <3 hrs a week. The only thing missing is me screaming at the talking heads "You lying fucking morons!". Probably better for my cardiovascular health anyway - I do still have to drive in Chicago.
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