Benefits of Quitting Television
Posted by
patrick
When I was young, I had an old tv that had a dial to change the channel. Times changed and technology changed fast. Cable television quickly replaced antennas. television trends soon followed and shows became garbage. Reality tv became the "it" thing to watch and I got fed up. It's been about 5 months since I have quit watching television. My cable subscription was not worth it to me and it was time to give it up.
I transitioned well. My girlfriend, however had a pretty rough time. She was addicted to MTV's lineup of FAKE reality tv shows like The Hills, Leguna Beech and all those other crap. "The Real World"? Ha! That title alone fails. I later found out that she was still watching her shows online via Hulu.com. I come to find out that News Corp, the same people behind Fox owns Hulu. Wow. She argues that I spend a lot of time on the computer and while this is true, I can choose where, when, and what I read to an extent. I spend most of my time reading and listening to music and I've noticed that I sometimes get an "information overload." I've learned so much on so many different subjects.
With my new found knowledge, I have quit eating at fast food restaurants. I have also quit playing video games and I have switch to Linux. After watching "Supersize Me", I have been eating healthier and I started a new hobby. Working on electric bikes.
I went deeper into politics and how the world works. Though the truth hurts, I am grateful that I had the chance to learn about the many facets of life. I learned that knowledge is very important. We have to take responsibility for our own education.
I read that television emits alpha waves that your body gets used to and become addicted to. It's definitely interesting to think about. Supposedly, video cameras pick up these wavelengths visually and render them as horizontal lines passing up and down. So those are what those lines are when you see a recording of a TV? I don't know. I noticed when I used to watch TV that sometimes I turn it on for no reason. I don't even watch the tv. This is more noticeable in the morning. It almost feels like I need it on to start my day. Other times, the TV would be on and no one is watching. I then ask if anyone is watching and they all say, "No." When I turn it off, people tell me to turn it back on. It's almost as if we are addicted to the background noise.
These alpha waves sometimes intensify during key events such as commercials. I notice that I do not enjoy watching the same television shows on my computer as much compared to when I watched them on the television. I am not sure what changed. They are the same shows right? Maybe it's the eye-catching commercials that draw us in. Catch phrases like, "Watch Survivorman as he makes fire with an LED flashlight!" That's some convincing advertisement.
Last, I noticed that time goes by fast while watching TV. Not just hourly and daily, but months can fly by. I use to spend 8 plus hours in front of the tv. This while multi-tasking of course. Eating, doing homework (in high school). Anything. There had to be a TV around. Now, I look back on the time and compare it to now. It feel like it's been at least a year since I stopped watching TV, but I know in reality, it's only been 5 months. That the nice thing about quitting television, you have much more free time on your hands. Sure, you get bored faster but in order to compensate, your mind explores more. You read more about interesting subjects. Interesting subjects provoke thought. Making good use of leisure has been a skill in and of itself. Before, I would have the attitude of, "I have no time for that." Now I can do anything I put my mind to. I am being productive. I took up boxing and got into shape. I am just more aware. I can say without a doubt in my mind that quitting television has been the best thing I have ever done. I took the red pill.
I transitioned well. My girlfriend, however had a pretty rough time. She was addicted to MTV's lineup of FAKE reality tv shows like The Hills, Leguna Beech and all those other crap. "The Real World"? Ha! That title alone fails. I later found out that she was still watching her shows online via Hulu.com. I come to find out that News Corp, the same people behind Fox owns Hulu. Wow. She argues that I spend a lot of time on the computer and while this is true, I can choose where, when, and what I read to an extent. I spend most of my time reading and listening to music and I've noticed that I sometimes get an "information overload." I've learned so much on so many different subjects.
With my new found knowledge, I have quit eating at fast food restaurants. I have also quit playing video games and I have switch to Linux. After watching "Supersize Me", I have been eating healthier and I started a new hobby. Working on electric bikes.
I went deeper into politics and how the world works. Though the truth hurts, I am grateful that I had the chance to learn about the many facets of life. I learned that knowledge is very important. We have to take responsibility for our own education.
I read that television emits alpha waves that your body gets used to and become addicted to. It's definitely interesting to think about. Supposedly, video cameras pick up these wavelengths visually and render them as horizontal lines passing up and down. So those are what those lines are when you see a recording of a TV? I don't know. I noticed when I used to watch TV that sometimes I turn it on for no reason. I don't even watch the tv. This is more noticeable in the morning. It almost feels like I need it on to start my day. Other times, the TV would be on and no one is watching. I then ask if anyone is watching and they all say, "No." When I turn it off, people tell me to turn it back on. It's almost as if we are addicted to the background noise.
These alpha waves sometimes intensify during key events such as commercials. I notice that I do not enjoy watching the same television shows on my computer as much compared to when I watched them on the television. I am not sure what changed. They are the same shows right? Maybe it's the eye-catching commercials that draw us in. Catch phrases like, "Watch Survivorman as he makes fire with an LED flashlight!" That's some convincing advertisement.
Last, I noticed that time goes by fast while watching TV. Not just hourly and daily, but months can fly by. I use to spend 8 plus hours in front of the tv. This while multi-tasking of course. Eating, doing homework (in high school). Anything. There had to be a TV around. Now, I look back on the time and compare it to now. It feel like it's been at least a year since I stopped watching TV, but I know in reality, it's only been 5 months. That the nice thing about quitting television, you have much more free time on your hands. Sure, you get bored faster but in order to compensate, your mind explores more. You read more about interesting subjects. Interesting subjects provoke thought. Making good use of leisure has been a skill in and of itself. Before, I would have the attitude of, "I have no time for that." Now I can do anything I put my mind to. I am being productive. I took up boxing and got into shape. I am just more aware. I can say without a doubt in my mind that quitting television has been the best thing I have ever done. I took the red pill.
About the Author:
You know there are way better things you could be doing that just watching tv. Quit already! Save money and just get internet. Find a new hobby. Make some money. Start a business. Just do something productive. Television hinders production.
Posts
Post a Comment