Those of you who read fantasy novels are familiar with objects that, when seen, transfix the hero. Even if the object appears at first glance to be innocent or even beautiful, its magic is malign and the result for the hero is generally bad -- a journey delayed, an important task undone, and an increase in sorrow and confusion.I'm beginning to wonder if, for me at least, television isn't a rather maleficent transfixing object. It renders me motionless, causes me to delay or ignore work and play that is meaningful and enjoyable, and fills my head and heart with images, beliefs, and values that can be downright despicable. I end up both transfixed and enchanted -- and not in a good way.
So I've done the classic cartoon "wake up" head shake, grabbed the remote, and turned off the television for good. Goodbye Comcast, and good riddance to you!
in the early days of MTV, I read - and agreed with - an editorial (Newsweek magazine, if I recall) that was quite critical of music videos. The editorial pointed out that prior to music videos, each of us created our own mental image that was associated with every song. The image was personal, based on where we were when we first heard the song, what we were thinking, what was going on in our lives. The editorial sadly pointed out that with the advent of music videos, those personal, unique mental images that we each had for every song had been replaced by "groupthink"; we now all had the same image: the video. Millions of individual ideas about a song were now homogenized and condensed into the single idea promoted by the music video producer. McMusic.
ReplyDeleteOK, I'm keeping Comcast, though I have cut back all the premium channels. A DVR actually helps. I watch less TV and more of what I want if I can time shift. So, mindless Monday evening comedies that make me laugh out loud and relax, yes. Culture-vulture type stuff from Masterpiece theatre, yes. "Reality" shows, no. The "news" in almost any form, no.
ReplyDeleteHaving said this, there are plenty of laughs and culture to be had via DVDs and those can be bought, stolen, rented, borrowed or taken out of the library.
Good luck to you!