So I gave up TV about 3 years ago. And I get a lot of different responses when I tell people that. Some think I'm crazy. Some think I'm making a political statement. Most, I suspect, think that I am posturing myself as a bohemian hipster of some sort. A poet.
But it really didn't start as much. I moved into a building with no cable. And I wasn't going to live there long. So I silently protested the purchase of a $500 Satellite box, by having nothing at all.
It was uncomfortable at first. I was used to just...having it there. The familiar "bum-bum" of Law and Order keeping me company in the background. Casually perusing through the channels stumbling upon a Seinfeld rerun, or a Hitler documentary. Sometimes watching really excellent stuff too, like Battelestar, or Discovery. But in truth, I rarely sought out content, even with Tivo. I would just....have it on.
So when I moved into my new place, I figured I had gone a year without TV, and that I should get me some cable. But I had changed. I had found other things to do. I interact with the world differently. I just never watched it, and so I cut it off 3 months later.
I still watch shows sometimes. Either on AppleTV, or from Netflix. But there is something about the...deliberate... nature of my consumption now that reduces it by a factor of ten. I never have anything on in the background. TV does not keep me company.
I didn't fully understand the meaning of it all until I stumbled upon this article. The author makes a great point- a societal-changing point about the meaning TV has had in the world since it became popular. That is was our response to something we had never really had much of before the 20th century. Free time.
I don't know if it's true or not. But it sure is an interesting read.
For me? Much happier. Much more productive. A political, bohemian, crazy poet.
We have been without TV since August, due to finances more than anything. I personally haven't missed it. My young son and his daddy, however, can't stand the thought of never having TV. I suppose as soon as we can afford it, I'll cave in and get cable. I wonder if I'll go back to the "just having it on" mode?
Posted by: Claire | May 10, 2008 at 01:23 AM
I've been without TV most of my life but I finally broke down and got an Apple TV because my wife said "She missed TV" It's great because you choose when to watch it and there are no commercials. It's pull TV instead of push TV. Ra!
Posted by: Rich Tanksley | June 12, 2008 at 10:17 AM
I think I may give a variation of this a try. There are only a couple of shows on TV these days that I truly love. Other times the TV is just on to be on. I think that'll change - no more TV in the background, I'll have it on when I plan to sit in front of it deliberately.
Posted by: Andy H | October 28, 2008 at 12:13 PM
god do any of your friends like this thing called SPORTS?!? I do not watch tv except for the hockey and baseball games. of course i put them on the dvr and check them out in bed. I do have a couple of tv shows on DVD which is truly the only way to do it. i agree though about having things on in the backgroud. Whatever happened to MUSIC for that?
Posted by: bob | October 28, 2008 at 10:50 PM