For the last two years, I’ve managed to live without a television. This happened more from lack of space than for any virtuous purpose. Without really noticing, I got used to a lifestyle void of my usual programs. However, after my recent move a little TV managed to sneak back into my living room. Honestly, it wasn’t my fault. Due to layout difficulties, my new home doesn’t easily allow for movie watching on my computer. (Hey, I said I didn’t watch TV—there’s nothing wrong with the occasional movie. A movie is completely different from television in several respects, mainly because there aren’t any of those brainwashing ads.) Anyway …Because of this little guy’s presence—I must admit—I’ve found myself turning it on and actually watching a few times. It was only KNME! Still, I am ashamed. Because of this taste of a past addiction I’ve noticed how beneficial my no-TV life has been. That is why I am presenting a list of a few reasons why not to watch (or better, not to own) a television. I’m hoping this list will cause normal tube watchers to think twice about how they use their spare time. Truthfully, I feel this list is more for convincing myself again since I feel myself falling back into the pit of despair. If you don’t own a television…• You save money. Even if you’re not paying for Comcast or On-Demand, you’re still paying something even if it’s just the electricity. That alone can cost you almost 50 bucks a year!• You have more energy. I swear, TV sucks the life out of you. Once you stop watching, you’ll notice you want to do stuff, like actual productive living. Which leads me to my next point,• Your house will be cleaner. Without a TV there to distract you, you’ll finally notice all the things around the house that need to get done. That lightbulb will get replaced, those dead cockroaches will get swept up and you’ll notice how unearthly disgusting your microwave is.• You have an ungodly amount of free time. Now you can finally take up a new hobby, maybe blogging! • You don’t feel like a zombie. I remember sitting in front of the tube for hours on end, absorbing all those ads and mindless entertainment. When I would finally get up to do something, I felt like I just woke up from a dream—like I had been in some alternate universe for those last few hours. What a waste. Life’s too short to spend it zoned out.Even if you can’t necessarily get rid of your television (you live with family, roommates, etc.) at least try not turning it on for a week, just to see what it would be like. Trust me! You won’t regret it!If you still aren’t convinced, here are some shocking facts from the Center for Screen-Time Awareness:• 50 percent of US households have three or more TV sets.• In the average US home, television is on for seven hours and 40 minutes a day.• The average American watches more than four hours of television a day.• On average, children in the U.S. will spend more time this year in front of a TV (1,023 hours) than in school (900 hours).Yikes!
Tv Relapse
Treatment Necessary
3 min read
