In our home we have one analog television that is not hooked up to cable (it couldn't be, as analog television is obsolete now) and we use it to watch movies occasionally. We occasionally watch television shows on Netflix Instant Watch or Hulu , that is, when our Internet streaming is adequate (not often). We also rent movies from Netflix and go to the movies at our local theaters. Our time spent in front of a screen watching a television show or movie is less than 4 hours/week and sometimes not at all. So, what are our lives like under these circumstances? Do we wish we had television? What are the advantage? What are the disadvantages?
The advantages outweigh the disadvantages by far in quality of life, so I'll start with the disadvantages and get them out of the way. The only disadvantage might be that we miss out on the news as done by the networks, Oscar Awards (my thing) and some good television that might be out there. We hear from others with television about particular shows and sometimes think it might be fun to watch them. However, we can usually do this on the Internet through various means - after the show has been on prime time, of course, but we can do it if we wish to. 99% of the time we don't bother. For current affairs the Internet is a better source anyway. I can forget the Oscars, they are never shown anywhere after the actual show - this doesn't break my heart.
The advantages are many.
1. We save money for one thing - cable is not cheap if you want any selection of channels.
2. There is lots of mindless garbage on television. When, upon occasion, we are at a hotel and flip through the channels, this mindless garbage thing is confirmed. We usually end up watching Discovery Channel and even there you get hyper active chefs and other fodder served up MTV style. Yes, we watch some shows on the Internet, but that way we are forced to be selective about what we watch. People can and probably are selective about what they watch on television, but it's not as easy when you have such a huge selection at your fingertips.
3. No commercials. What more do I need to say about that?
4. You develop other things to replace television. Like reading. We read. My husband reads and that's something he never did when we had television for the first years of our 20 year marriage.
5. Music. My husband has two guitars and loves to play. He spends a lot of time each evening playing his guitar. I have a baritone ukulele and enjoy playing it also. We recently "jammed" together with music from a super Internet site called Ukulele Players. Click the Chord Finder (a great thing in itself) and then the little yellow pick that says Play Along Songs. Great fun.
6. Art. My husband sculpts with rock, I dabble in it also. I also paint paintings. We've both sold our work and plan to sell more. Sky Rock Sculpture The Sputnik Lounge
7. Helped our marriage relationship. Too many times, one or the other of a twosome will spend an inordinate amount of time in front of the boob tube. I know this because I've read about it in the newspaper (Dear Abby), or on the Internet and I've experienced it. It can cause problems. We don't have to deal with those as long as I (me) do not spend too much time in front of that other screen - on the computer.
Confession: I have by accident stumbled upon Desperate Housewives - one of those mindless, soap opera television garbage things. I'm sort of hooked now, though and rent it through Netflix or the local Blockbuster. The other soap opera I watch is MADMEN. Those two shows are pretty well written (especially MADMEN) and they are my sinful indulgence in the realm of television entertainment. Sinful being the key word as, generally speaking, they are both filled with naughty stuff. Not R rated mind you, but certainly much more liberal and explicit than I have ever seen on television in the way, way past.
To summarize. We have discussed getting television, but opt against it. Right now it would be an expensive venture for us as we would also have to buy a new television to accommodate cable. But, that's not the main reason. Lots of good things have developed out of our not having it and that tells us something about how inordinate amounts of television viewing can stifle the creative spirit, at least it did in our lives in the past. That's not to say that we might not change our minds someday especially if there is ever an option of paying only for the channels you want. Not likely, though.
