I have a love-hate relationship with television. Love: the entertainment, the notion that t.v. both shapes and reflects culture, but mostly the plop-on-the-couch-and-shut-off-my-brain effect. Hate: See above.Growing up, t.v. was frequently characterized as an enemy, whose wiliness was tamed just long enough to watch the news or The Cosby Show before you found yourself surrounded and unarmed. I carried that prejudice to college and ushered it into marriage. Lately it's made a resurgence with a little one at home.
"What's the big deal?" I occasionally ask. If t.v. is a reflection of society and a culture maker, I should know it well in order to maintain relevance as a believer, right? Enter sin. Slothfulness, idolatry, and covetousness make their surreptitious entrance as I cozy into the couch a little deeper and throw on a blanket for warmth.
Maybe I struggle with moderation in this area, but I also tend to agree with my older sister's comment about the television industry: "Hey, they're good at what they do." Indeed. I can easily shut off and tune in for an hour or two before I realize I forgot to hang up the diapers, put away the dishes, or meant to go to bed early.
What about t.v. as a form of bonding? One of my undergraduate professors addressed this question in an Interpersonal Communication class. His response: television often acts as a barrier to communication between individuals. Instead of talking about your struggles, joys, etc., you focus on something else--a distraction. Though I agree in some instances, I find discussing films and shows fruitful. Then again, I have to critically observe to have those conversations.
Most of my summer evenings have been unplugged and open-booked, and I've found it refreshing and peaceful. I think I'll continue this practice--in moderation, of course.
We don't have a t.v. by choice, but I have some happy memories of watching t.v. with my family and think it a more relational activity then computer/internet recreation. With the internet you do develop relationships with people but not with the person right next to you on their own laptop. Hmmm...perhaps I'm doing that right now!
ReplyDeleteWe have similar feelings to you on the subject. We had cable for the first time in our marriage last year (can you believe it was actually cheaper to do an internet/tv pkg than internet alone??!! Who pays for that?!). I found that I wasn't nearly as disciplined as I would have liked...and we no longer have cable. Much better, although I think a certain someone is going to be sad once football season starts!
ReplyDeleteSarah, I completely agree about television being more relational than computer/internet; I think the reason why is because t.v. tends to be in a shared space.
ReplyDeleteLisa, your certain someone sounds a lot like my certain someone! I applaud your decision to not have cable, and I hope the funny looks are minimal when it's brought up (we receive many).