Hey there Adam,
Don't worry, TV is not about to go away soon. Television is an integral part of life for the vast majority of people in the industrialized world. I suppose it's lucky for me; I've got excellent job security.
"On average, individuals in the industrialized world devote three hours a day to the pursuit (watching TV), fully half of their leisure time, and more than on any single activity save work and sleep. At this rate, someone who lives to 75 would spend nine years in front of the tube."
Scientific American Magazine, February 2002
Television is perfect for the masses. It's cheaper than drugs and probably less violent than religion. Karl Marx himself might have approved. It's often said that television brings us together; a sort of national hearth, or a communal experience. T.S. Eliot had something to say about this:
"The remarkable thing about television is that it permits several million people to laugh at the same joke and still feel lonely."
Yes Adam, there is much to choose from on your televison. I'm guessing you have roughly 60 channels. Still, I have to ask if you would ever bother going into a bookstore that only had 60 books on its shelf?
Television is ubiquitous, many people don't even realize the television is on in a room until it is turned off. Then the house suddenly seems too quiet for their liking. I find it frustrating to attempt a conversation with friends in their home while a TV is on in the same room. I notice their eyes repeated darting towards the screen. We can't help ourselves from doing this. As the article in
Scientific American pointed out, "we have an instinctive reaction to any sudden stimulus." Our built-in sensitivity to movement is an evolved reaction to guard against potential threats. The television industry understands and uses this to their advantage. Network programming rarely keeps the same scene, or at least the same camera shot, on the air for more than ten seconds.
On my last trip to England, upon learning that I work in the U.S. television industry, people kept asking me about the
Jerry Springer Show. When I explained that such programs are only viewed by the American underclass, they quickly would add; "Well, I've just seen it on the tele, I'd never watch such things myself." That's odd,
someone must be watching for the British networks to continue to carry it. Or are the British fascinated with this program from a sociological aspect, as if this program is somehow representitive of American society in general?
I could go on about this subject. However, I read some comments recently on Sciforums that are making me hesitant to write long posts. Several folks admitted to rarely reading all of Tiassa's posts to the end. Since I find Tiassa's posts in general to be fascinating stuff, I had to wonder if our channel-flipping, scene flashing, shortened attention spans have anything to do with it? I suppose those in the "Chat" groups would be horrified to see Tiassa's posts, thinking him an Anti-Christ of sorts.
Anyway Adam, if you manage to get something good from TV without TV getting the best of you, then you have my sincere congratulations. You've done better than most.
Michael