In 1927 the first television was invented and broadcast everything from news to soap operas. At the time, many households could not afford a TV and only the wealthy had one, and programs were only on for a couple of hours a day. By the 1930's TV began appearing across the western world and by the 1960's, TV was not unusual.
As technology improved, TV has started to become obsolete. Before people would have to watch their favorite show the night it premiered, but since the invention of the DVR, people recorded their shows and watched them later. To avoid even dealing with TV, people now rely on the internet and websites such as "Hulu" and "Netflix." In this way, they can avoid watching commercials and focus on the program. In this economy, it saves them money to watch shows off the internet because it is less costly. Many people buy their TV just for better graphics.
The internet is much more convenient for people than TV because of how quickly episodes are posted on websites. Sometimes an episode that airs on Thursday nights, is posted on Hulu on Friday mornings. Of course, not every series will be on the internet, but the majority are. In fact, I have gotten interested in shows that have aired years ago, and it's faster to watch them over the internet then wait for them to come on TV. Being able to download full length movies from the internet has turned people against watching TV. It's more affordable and easier to watch movies that are downloaded.
People would rather go on social networking sites than watch TV. They can easily meet other people, whether they be down the street or across the world. People have become hooked to the internet instead of TV. They have become aware of more shows that they would be interested in by surfing the internet, instead of surfing channels.
Cell phones are now capable of wireless internet, and it has made it easier for people to watch their shows anywhere and anytime they want. People are starting to rely on TV less and less with further advancements in technology that do not demand the use of TV.
Television has tried to counteract the developing internet by advancing the picture quality and the capabilities of the TV. Many television companies have come out with high quality picture and making the size of TVs larger to emulate the theater. Networks are bringing recent movies to TV earlier than before to attract more viewers. Despite their best efforts, viewers still prefer to watch their programs on their computers.
However, the internet is younger compared to the TV, and it still has a ways to go in terms of entertainment. I prefer to watch my favorite shows off of the internet because it's easier and much faster than TV. I don't have to wait for reruns to come on to catch up on what I have missed the week before. I can watch shows that people have recommended quicker, and I can watch whole seasons within a day. As the internet advances each year, television will soon become obsolete. Possibly, the TV will be used to aid entertainment on the internet, instead of just an alternative way to enjoy entertainment.
Source:
http://www.tvhistory.tv/pre-1935.htm
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Monkey See, Monkey Do
Some people believe that violence on TV does not affect children in anyway, but after thirty years of research, researchers have proven otherwise. Thousands of studies have shown that children who watch violence on TV have aggressive attitudes, values, beliefs, and behaviors. Some are more affected than others and the effects are long-lasting and measurable. Children become desensitized to violence in real-life when they extensively watch violence on TV.
The effects come in different forms which include the following:
1. Children will see violence as an acceptable method to solve conflicts and is an acceptable behavior.
2. Constantly watching violence will make children desensitized to violence and real-life and will not help a victim of violence.
3. They will view the world as a violence place and will increase behaviors in self-protection and a mistrust in others.
4. By allowing Children to watch violence on TV, they will more likely commit violent acts in later in life.
Of course, watching TV is not the only factor why children become violent later in life, but nevertheless, it is a major factor.
About a year ago, Anthony Conley, a teenager in Indiana, had killed his younger brother by strangling him. On a Saturday night, when his parents were both out, he killed his little brother, stuffed him in the back of his car, and went to his girlfriend's house. Sometime the next day he dumped his brother's body in the park and went back home. When his parent asked him where his brother was, he said he was at his grandparent's home, which was normal. When he was told to bring him back home, he went to the police station and turned himself in. He then told the police that he stuffed his little brother into a plastic bag to make sure that "the blood did not go everywhere."
He likened his killing to a show on showtime called "Dexter." He identified with Dexter Morgan, the main character, who is a blood splatter analyst by day and a serial killer by night. He only kills people when he finds hard evidence to suggest that they have committed a murder. Police "described Conley as emotionless", which could be because he watched so much violence on "Dexter" and made him desensitized in real-life. Had he not watched so much violence, his brother might have lived and Connely would have been a more sensitive, caring person.
Parents need to screen what shows children watch in order for them to develop properly and have a clear understanding of what is right and wrong. They need a strong moral base, and constantly watching violence will not provide them with the proper morals. Children are highly impressionable and if we can show them what is wrong from the beginning, they can grow up to have a good heart.
Sources:
http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/jstmtevc.htm
http://abcnews.go.com/US/teen-enters-guilty-plea-dexter-inspired-killing/story?id=11624672#.TsqkKrJFu7s
The effects come in different forms which include the following:
1. Children will see violence as an acceptable method to solve conflicts and is an acceptable behavior.
2. Constantly watching violence will make children desensitized to violence and real-life and will not help a victim of violence.
3. They will view the world as a violence place and will increase behaviors in self-protection and a mistrust in others.
4. By allowing Children to watch violence on TV, they will more likely commit violent acts in later in life.
Of course, watching TV is not the only factor why children become violent later in life, but nevertheless, it is a major factor.
About a year ago, Anthony Conley, a teenager in Indiana, had killed his younger brother by strangling him. On a Saturday night, when his parents were both out, he killed his little brother, stuffed him in the back of his car, and went to his girlfriend's house. Sometime the next day he dumped his brother's body in the park and went back home. When his parent asked him where his brother was, he said he was at his grandparent's home, which was normal. When he was told to bring him back home, he went to the police station and turned himself in. He then told the police that he stuffed his little brother into a plastic bag to make sure that "the blood did not go everywhere."
He likened his killing to a show on showtime called "Dexter." He identified with Dexter Morgan, the main character, who is a blood splatter analyst by day and a serial killer by night. He only kills people when he finds hard evidence to suggest that they have committed a murder. Police "described Conley as emotionless", which could be because he watched so much violence on "Dexter" and made him desensitized in real-life. Had he not watched so much violence, his brother might have lived and Connely would have been a more sensitive, caring person.
Parents need to screen what shows children watch in order for them to develop properly and have a clear understanding of what is right and wrong. They need a strong moral base, and constantly watching violence will not provide them with the proper morals. Children are highly impressionable and if we can show them what is wrong from the beginning, they can grow up to have a good heart.
Sources:
http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/jstmtevc.htm
http://abcnews.go.com/US/teen-enters-guilty-plea-dexter-inspired-killing/story?id=11624672#.TsqkKrJFu7s
Saturday, November 19, 2011
TV is Fattening
Many people watch TV daily ranging from a half hour to five hours a day. Recent research has shown that watching TV for long periods of time can impose harm upon the viewer.
According to The Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the amount of leisure time spent watching TV can cause damage to the viewer's physical health. A study was performed on nearly 4500 middle aged, Scottish men, and were followed for about four years. Those who watched TV for two or mores hours doubled their risk for a heart attack compared to people who watched less. Also, people who spent four or more hours were 50% more likely to die of any cause. Furthermore, people who were physically active could not negate the risk of their large amount of the sedentary activity.
The study also showed that people who watched 23 hours of TV per week were more likely to have a heart attack than those who watched 11 hours or less in the week. A 2009 study reported that children who watch one to five hours a day have a higher blood pressure than those who watched less than an one-and-a half hour of TV. Even though some of the people who were studied were physically active and thin, the effects of watching TV were not lessened.
When the researchers followed up with the Scottish men, they found that 325 men died of various causes and 215 had experienced a heart attack. After adjusting to other factors, such as marital status, other health risks, weight, occupational health, the researches determined that people who watched five hours or more are 50% more likely to have died.
A proposed mechanism for these findings is that it affected lipid (fat) metabolism. It has been shown that prolonged sendentary activities can reduce the activity of lipoprotein lipase, an enzyme that breaks down lipids that circulate the blood. Due to this reduction, lipids can be built up in the blood and lead to a high risk of having a heart attack. Exercise however, has little to no affect on this enzyme.
If overweight children cut their TV time in half they can burn more calories than people who watch five hours a day. People who watched less TV, ate less, and replaced it with light activities, such as reading and playing board games, which burned more calories.
If people don't watch excessive amounts of TV, then they can reduce their risk of having a heart attack and can live longer. Of course, watching TV is something every one does, but in moderation we can increase our livelihood. Previously, I mentioned how TV can harm us mentally, and now it can harm us physically. It's important to keep a balance between what we watch and now how much we watch.
Source:
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/12/the-hazards-of-the-couch/?ref=health
According to The Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the amount of leisure time spent watching TV can cause damage to the viewer's physical health. A study was performed on nearly 4500 middle aged, Scottish men, and were followed for about four years. Those who watched TV for two or mores hours doubled their risk for a heart attack compared to people who watched less. Also, people who spent four or more hours were 50% more likely to die of any cause. Furthermore, people who were physically active could not negate the risk of their large amount of the sedentary activity.
The study also showed that people who watched 23 hours of TV per week were more likely to have a heart attack than those who watched 11 hours or less in the week. A 2009 study reported that children who watch one to five hours a day have a higher blood pressure than those who watched less than an one-and-a half hour of TV. Even though some of the people who were studied were physically active and thin, the effects of watching TV were not lessened.
When the researchers followed up with the Scottish men, they found that 325 men died of various causes and 215 had experienced a heart attack. After adjusting to other factors, such as marital status, other health risks, weight, occupational health, the researches determined that people who watched five hours or more are 50% more likely to have died.
A proposed mechanism for these findings is that it affected lipid (fat) metabolism. It has been shown that prolonged sendentary activities can reduce the activity of lipoprotein lipase, an enzyme that breaks down lipids that circulate the blood. Due to this reduction, lipids can be built up in the blood and lead to a high risk of having a heart attack. Exercise however, has little to no affect on this enzyme.
If overweight children cut their TV time in half they can burn more calories than people who watch five hours a day. People who watched less TV, ate less, and replaced it with light activities, such as reading and playing board games, which burned more calories.
If people don't watch excessive amounts of TV, then they can reduce their risk of having a heart attack and can live longer. Of course, watching TV is something every one does, but in moderation we can increase our livelihood. Previously, I mentioned how TV can harm us mentally, and now it can harm us physically. It's important to keep a balance between what we watch and now how much we watch.
Source:
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/12/the-hazards-of-the-couch/?ref=health
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
TV Helps Me learn
Presently, people believe that TV doesn't allow their children to build their thinking skills. They believe that they are just blindly absorbing everything they watch without considering to think about what they are actually watching. There are two kinds of programs on TV, one is pure entertainment and the other can be educational. Whether it's news that informs of you of the world's events or "Dora the Explorer" who teaches you how to read maps and a little Spanish. However, some children are not exposed to such programming and parents believe it's TV's fault when their children don't reach their full potential. With parental supervision and proper viewing habits, children can learn many subject matters that can improve their critical thinking and analytical skills.
http://kidstvmovies.about.com/od/healthytvhabits/a/tvgoodforkids.htm
Curiosity can be sparked by watching a variety of programming, and the programs don't
necessarily have to be on channels designated for educational purposes. They can be
programs on Food network or BBC America. These shows provide children with techniques
on how to cook or teach them how countries operate differently than the US. Once a child sees
something they like, they can go beyond just watching it on TV and looking up the topic in a
book or going on the internet for further readings. Of course, there are the shows that every
child remembers watching, such as "Arthur", "Sesame Street" , and "The Big Comfy Couch".
These shows provide children with scenarios and teach them how to deal with each one. They
also help them learn about basic subjects, such as Health, Math, Reading, English, and Science.
There are channels just for learning such as, TLC, Discovery, and Animal Planet. All these shows
are geared toward teaching their viewers a particular subject. If children chose to watch TV
that was meant to educate them, then TV would not have a bad reputation. They would be
learning and watching TV at the same time.
TV is a window to the world that children cannot reach. TV producers have been able to bring
the Sahara Desert, the Amazon, and the endangered animals to the viewer's home. We don't
have to travel far to see these sights, all we have to do is turn on the TV. Seeing these sights
will only spark children's curiosity and give them an interest in learning new ideas.
By watching TV, children will be encouraged to try new activities that are not technology
dependent. For example, if they see their hero on their favorite show exercise, they will be
more willing to exercise themselves. If they enjoy a particular game that they see on TV, such
as a card game that stimulates their math skills, they will be inclined to play them too. If a TV
series is based off a book, then parents can encourage them to read the series and possibly they
will gain an interest in reading. Parent's ultimate goal is that they're children learn, and if TV
can be a catalyst, then they shouldn't be discouraged from watching.
Children can also build their analytical skills as well. If they are watching a show they can ask
themselves what will happen next and analyze the alternate decision and it's consequences that
character made. They will learn to think, problem solve, and predict any kind of situation. In
this way TV has an active experience and the viewers are better prepared for their lives. Children
can compare and contrast shows and characters and can develop this skill as well. They can compare
and contrast plots, characters, scenes, and decisions. Doing so, will make them ready for tests that
contain such questions. At a young age, some children can not decipher between commercials
and programs. Parents can teach the deceptive tactics used and show them how to analyze
whether the facts they are saying are valid. They can lean the different methods used to
advertise and analyze the products being sold.
TV has a bad reputation because parents just see their children watching shows that only pollute
their minds. If they take an active role in their children's viewing habits, they can show them
which shows are appropriate and can educate them well. Also, TV will help them develop
critical thinking and analytical skills that would take forever to learn. They will be curious and
interested in learning when they go to school. Parents should not discourage their children to
watch TV if they actively participate and show them the proper educational programs.
Source:are geared toward teaching their viewers a particular subject. If children chose to watch TV
that was meant to educate them, then TV would not have a bad reputation. They would be
learning and watching TV at the same time.
TV is a window to the world that children cannot reach. TV producers have been able to bring
the Sahara Desert, the Amazon, and the endangered animals to the viewer's home. We don't
have to travel far to see these sights, all we have to do is turn on the TV. Seeing these sights
will only spark children's curiosity and give them an interest in learning new ideas.
By watching TV, children will be encouraged to try new activities that are not technology
dependent. For example, if they see their hero on their favorite show exercise, they will be
more willing to exercise themselves. If they enjoy a particular game that they see on TV, such
as a card game that stimulates their math skills, they will be inclined to play them too. If a TV
series is based off a book, then parents can encourage them to read the series and possibly they
will gain an interest in reading. Parent's ultimate goal is that they're children learn, and if TV
can be a catalyst, then they shouldn't be discouraged from watching.
Children can also build their analytical skills as well. If they are watching a show they can ask
themselves what will happen next and analyze the alternate decision and it's consequences that
character made. They will learn to think, problem solve, and predict any kind of situation. In
this way TV has an active experience and the viewers are better prepared for their lives. Children
can compare and contrast shows and characters and can develop this skill as well. They can compare
and contrast plots, characters, scenes, and decisions. Doing so, will make them ready for tests that
contain such questions. At a young age, some children can not decipher between commercials
and programs. Parents can teach the deceptive tactics used and show them how to analyze
whether the facts they are saying are valid. They can lean the different methods used to
advertise and analyze the products being sold.
TV has a bad reputation because parents just see their children watching shows that only pollute
their minds. If they take an active role in their children's viewing habits, they can show them
which shows are appropriate and can educate them well. Also, TV will help them develop
critical thinking and analytical skills that would take forever to learn. They will be curious and
interested in learning when they go to school. Parents should not discourage their children to
watch TV if they actively participate and show them the proper educational programs.
http://kidstvmovies.about.com/od/healthytvhabits/a/tvgoodforkids.htm
Friday, November 11, 2011
Breaking the Myths of TV
Today many children watch TV anywhere from three to five hours a day. Now it has become an important presence in their lives, however it has it's affects. Parents believe in myths about TV and use them to prevent their children from watching it. There are many myths about TV and include: if it actually helps children learn, if it makes people gain weight, and if violence is a major influence over children. Some are legitimate and do make sense, while others are outright lies.
1. Many parents believe that TV makes their children dumb. The programs on TV are not improving their cognitive skills and are wasting their time. In fact, TV shows such as "Sesame Street" and "Dora the Explorer" have proven to improve their skills. Studies have shown that children who watch educational TV for an hour a day are better off than those who don't. As teenagers they score better on achievement tests, perform better in class, read more, and are more creative. If this is the case, then why do parents think that watching TV is dumb? Maybe they are allowing their children to watch cartoons rather than programs that help them learn. All educational shows try and provide the same excitement that cartoons do. They have children the same age, they have funny scenes, and most of all they teach you numbers, letters, and many other subjects. I don't believe that TV makes kids dumb, as long as they pick the right shows to watch.
2. Parents also believe that TV makes kids violent. It is true that children are more aggressive when they watch content where there is extreme violence. On the other hand, good behavior was associated with children who watch shows such as "Mr. Rogers" where they teach you manners and good behaviors. Again, its the programming that is presented to them at a younger age. If they are allowed to watch programs that are violent then they will predisposed to violence. That is all that they will understand and will forget about the shows that portray good behavior since they like violent shows better. If parents present their children with programs that explain good behavior, then then parents won't think that TV makes their children violent.
3. Doctors and parents believe that sitting around watching TV is what makes children overweight. In actuality, it is the choice to watch TV that causes obesity. One could argue that all activities that require you to sit down cause obesity, such as reading, painting, and block-building. Research has shown that that watching TV encourages the viewer to over eat and snack all the time. The viewer is bombarded by advertisements about food every commercial break, and it only persuades them to eat more. However, I believe that it depends on how gullible and easily influenced a viewer is. If a viewer believes that a snack will actually help them lose weight when it doesn't, then of course they will gain weight. Obesity caused by watching TV is based on many factors, and cannot be the only reason that children are obese these days.
4. Some people believe that TV can help children fall asleep easier and that they watch too much of it. In reality, TV disrupts children's sleep patterns and their nap times. They are more likely to stay up and watch more TV than fall asleep. Studies have shown that watching TV is adding to the problem of children not sleeping, and is not a solution. If parents want their children to fall asleep faster then they should read them bedtime stories or try other remedies other than TV. Although children do watch a lot of TV in a day, it depends on what they watch more than how much they watch. If they are watching educational TV, then it doesn't really matter how much they watch. Of course, too much is always a bad thing, but watching programs that would negatively influence them, is also a problem. Children would be better off in the long run if they watched more educational TV than content with violence and sexual activity.
All these myths exists and all of them have some truths and fallacies. Today TV has become a major influence over children, but if parents choose the right shows for their children to watch, then it will not be a problem in the future.
Source:
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20070222&slug=tvoped22
1. Many parents believe that TV makes their children dumb. The programs on TV are not improving their cognitive skills and are wasting their time. In fact, TV shows such as "Sesame Street" and "Dora the Explorer" have proven to improve their skills. Studies have shown that children who watch educational TV for an hour a day are better off than those who don't. As teenagers they score better on achievement tests, perform better in class, read more, and are more creative. If this is the case, then why do parents think that watching TV is dumb? Maybe they are allowing their children to watch cartoons rather than programs that help them learn. All educational shows try and provide the same excitement that cartoons do. They have children the same age, they have funny scenes, and most of all they teach you numbers, letters, and many other subjects. I don't believe that TV makes kids dumb, as long as they pick the right shows to watch.
2. Parents also believe that TV makes kids violent. It is true that children are more aggressive when they watch content where there is extreme violence. On the other hand, good behavior was associated with children who watch shows such as "Mr. Rogers" where they teach you manners and good behaviors. Again, its the programming that is presented to them at a younger age. If they are allowed to watch programs that are violent then they will predisposed to violence. That is all that they will understand and will forget about the shows that portray good behavior since they like violent shows better. If parents present their children with programs that explain good behavior, then then parents won't think that TV makes their children violent.
3. Doctors and parents believe that sitting around watching TV is what makes children overweight. In actuality, it is the choice to watch TV that causes obesity. One could argue that all activities that require you to sit down cause obesity, such as reading, painting, and block-building. Research has shown that that watching TV encourages the viewer to over eat and snack all the time. The viewer is bombarded by advertisements about food every commercial break, and it only persuades them to eat more. However, I believe that it depends on how gullible and easily influenced a viewer is. If a viewer believes that a snack will actually help them lose weight when it doesn't, then of course they will gain weight. Obesity caused by watching TV is based on many factors, and cannot be the only reason that children are obese these days.
4. Some people believe that TV can help children fall asleep easier and that they watch too much of it. In reality, TV disrupts children's sleep patterns and their nap times. They are more likely to stay up and watch more TV than fall asleep. Studies have shown that watching TV is adding to the problem of children not sleeping, and is not a solution. If parents want their children to fall asleep faster then they should read them bedtime stories or try other remedies other than TV. Although children do watch a lot of TV in a day, it depends on what they watch more than how much they watch. If they are watching educational TV, then it doesn't really matter how much they watch. Of course, too much is always a bad thing, but watching programs that would negatively influence them, is also a problem. Children would be better off in the long run if they watched more educational TV than content with violence and sexual activity.
All these myths exists and all of them have some truths and fallacies. Today TV has become a major influence over children, but if parents choose the right shows for their children to watch, then it will not be a problem in the future.
Source:
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20070222&slug=tvoped22
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
TV is My Best Friend
We, as humans, strive to form relationships in our lives. Whether it be at home, school, or work, we all want some kind of human interaction and continue this interaction through a relationship. But what if we can't find that other person to form a relationship? Where do people go to get that personal interaction and experience someone else's life? They turn to TV.
Psychologists have found research supporting the "Social Surrogacy Hypothesis", which states that people find a "parasocial" relationship with characters on TV in our favorite shows. Just as we spend time with our friends to develop a relationship by sharing thoughts and opinions, viewers spend time with their characters, or friends, by watching TV for an extended period of time. People interact with them just as they would with real friends. They respond to their experiences, idiosyncrasies, and personal lives.
Researchers have found that when a real tangible relationship is unavailable, people tend to watch TV. They feel less lonely while watching TV and feel happier and more satisfied with their life after they are done watching TV. In fact, most people stated that they preferred watching their favorite TV show rather than one they don't enjoy as much. People also relied on TV to ease their pain when they recall a bad relationship they had in their lives. TV helps them seek out a good, strong relationship and possibly even replace the flawed relationships they currently have in their lives.
There are times when people feel a threat to a relationship they have with a friend, spouse, or co-worker and this has a negative effect on them. They start to have low self-esteem and experience negative moods, such as depression and anger. However, by watching TV, these moods were buffered and almost taken away. They felt happier and were better able to remedy the relationship afterwards.
Watching TV became a remedy for flawed relationships because people inherently want to belong somewhere. Humans crave relationships and a need to be accepted in society, and when this criteria are met, the craving subsides and goes away. As long as humans maintain this relationship, whether it be with a real-life person, or a fictional character on TV, the craving will be under control. If it is not met, the craving will only intensify and grow, making humans ever hungry for a sense of belonging.
Is this a good thing? If humans are desperate to find a relationship, is it healthy to seek out a relationship with TV? I believe that TV is great for an escape for a while, but it should not be used to replace a relationship. Creating a relationship through TV is only a temporary fix, but creating a relationship with a real person can last a lifetime and alleviate feelings of loneliness and low self-esteem for a long time.
Source:
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=imaginary-friends
Psychologists have found research supporting the "Social Surrogacy Hypothesis", which states that people find a "parasocial" relationship with characters on TV in our favorite shows. Just as we spend time with our friends to develop a relationship by sharing thoughts and opinions, viewers spend time with their characters, or friends, by watching TV for an extended period of time. People interact with them just as they would with real friends. They respond to their experiences, idiosyncrasies, and personal lives.
Researchers have found that when a real tangible relationship is unavailable, people tend to watch TV. They feel less lonely while watching TV and feel happier and more satisfied with their life after they are done watching TV. In fact, most people stated that they preferred watching their favorite TV show rather than one they don't enjoy as much. People also relied on TV to ease their pain when they recall a bad relationship they had in their lives. TV helps them seek out a good, strong relationship and possibly even replace the flawed relationships they currently have in their lives.
There are times when people feel a threat to a relationship they have with a friend, spouse, or co-worker and this has a negative effect on them. They start to have low self-esteem and experience negative moods, such as depression and anger. However, by watching TV, these moods were buffered and almost taken away. They felt happier and were better able to remedy the relationship afterwards.
Watching TV became a remedy for flawed relationships because people inherently want to belong somewhere. Humans crave relationships and a need to be accepted in society, and when this criteria are met, the craving subsides and goes away. As long as humans maintain this relationship, whether it be with a real-life person, or a fictional character on TV, the craving will be under control. If it is not met, the craving will only intensify and grow, making humans ever hungry for a sense of belonging.
Is this a good thing? If humans are desperate to find a relationship, is it healthy to seek out a relationship with TV? I believe that TV is great for an escape for a while, but it should not be used to replace a relationship. Creating a relationship through TV is only a temporary fix, but creating a relationship with a real person can last a lifetime and alleviate feelings of loneliness and low self-esteem for a long time.
Source:
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=imaginary-friends
Saturday, November 5, 2011
TV=Dumb
After a long day at school or work, many people come home to watch TV to relax and watch something they can easily digest. They watch TV because it is there in their home, they like a show, or they like a particular actor or actress. They find it easier to process images and audio, rather than read a book and think about what they are reading. They start to lose the ability to think critically and are easily able to take in ideas that have already been thought out for them. Their imagination is virtually lost because they are not forced to use it.
Not all shows on TV make us less intelligent though. There are some channels that provide us with education, such as History Channel, Discovery, and National Geographic. They give us shows like "Mythbusters", "Modern Marvels", and "Wild." Of course sometimes they can not compare to books, but they at least provide us with education. Though the problem is that many people cannot watch those shows for longer than five or six minutes and have to move on to another channel. They are very educational and sometimes provide a little more than books can. Some shows on the History Channel can give us reenactments, but there are times when it is over dramatized. Yes, there are some shows on these channels that lie, but there are plenty of other channels that constantly lie to us every time we watch them.
Shows on NBC, ABC, TBS, and TNT are there to provide us for entertainment, but how much of it is actually plausible? Sure "Law and Order" provides us with an outline of how the justice system works, but how much of it is true? When I watch Law and Order I always find myself trying to figure out what is true and what is false. Looking back,I did believe everything I heard and saw in one show, "ER," which aired on NBC for ten seasons. I honestly believed that certain procedures in the show were easy, until I was told otherwise. The line of authority is similar to real life, but it is strictly adhered to, not loosely like in "ER." After I asked my brother, who has worked in an actual ER, I realized that a lot of the material on the show was false. I still enjoyed watching the show afterwards, but I still tried to verify the fallacies in it.
I believe this is the majority of the programs on TV. Leaving out news networks, and news programs, TV has a plethora of programs that are reality, comedies, or dramas. They do all our thinking, and limit our growth of critical thinking skills. These skills come from books, a lost form of education. Now people prefer to watch something that is easily digested and understood. They find it easier to think about images than to try and decipher the hidden meaning in books. Seeing what they should imagine makes things easier for them. As we watch more and more TV we are training our brains to become computers to analyze simple images, rather than complex phrases.
Again, I believe balance is the key. We can watch TV when we are overly tired to try and understand a book, but we shouldn't entirely replace books with television. Books provide us with the opportunity to use our imagination to great lengths, but television limits us in so many ways. Maybe someday TV will provide us with programming that will actually challenge or minds and our beliefs.
Source:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/27201602/ns/today-entertainment/t/dumb-dumb-dumb-dumb-tvs-stupidest-shows/
Not all shows on TV make us less intelligent though. There are some channels that provide us with education, such as History Channel, Discovery, and National Geographic. They give us shows like "Mythbusters", "Modern Marvels", and "Wild." Of course sometimes they can not compare to books, but they at least provide us with education. Though the problem is that many people cannot watch those shows for longer than five or six minutes and have to move on to another channel. They are very educational and sometimes provide a little more than books can. Some shows on the History Channel can give us reenactments, but there are times when it is over dramatized. Yes, there are some shows on these channels that lie, but there are plenty of other channels that constantly lie to us every time we watch them.
Shows on NBC, ABC, TBS, and TNT are there to provide us for entertainment, but how much of it is actually plausible? Sure "Law and Order" provides us with an outline of how the justice system works, but how much of it is true? When I watch Law and Order I always find myself trying to figure out what is true and what is false. Looking back,I did believe everything I heard and saw in one show, "ER," which aired on NBC for ten seasons. I honestly believed that certain procedures in the show were easy, until I was told otherwise. The line of authority is similar to real life, but it is strictly adhered to, not loosely like in "ER." After I asked my brother, who has worked in an actual ER, I realized that a lot of the material on the show was false. I still enjoyed watching the show afterwards, but I still tried to verify the fallacies in it.
I believe this is the majority of the programs on TV. Leaving out news networks, and news programs, TV has a plethora of programs that are reality, comedies, or dramas. They do all our thinking, and limit our growth of critical thinking skills. These skills come from books, a lost form of education. Now people prefer to watch something that is easily digested and understood. They find it easier to think about images than to try and decipher the hidden meaning in books. Seeing what they should imagine makes things easier for them. As we watch more and more TV we are training our brains to become computers to analyze simple images, rather than complex phrases.
Again, I believe balance is the key. We can watch TV when we are overly tired to try and understand a book, but we shouldn't entirely replace books with television. Books provide us with the opportunity to use our imagination to great lengths, but television limits us in so many ways. Maybe someday TV will provide us with programming that will actually challenge or minds and our beliefs.
Source:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/27201602/ns/today-entertainment/t/dumb-dumb-dumb-dumb-tvs-stupidest-shows/
Friday, October 28, 2011
Just The Good This Time
TV has a bad reputation for causing obesity in children and filling their minds with thoughts and ideas that should otherwise not be broadcast. On the other hand, there are good things about TV that people often over look. Primarily, it helps us clarify our values and beliefs with several effective strategies.
One strategy is that at TV show will present a situation or problem where the main character is shown acting on a particular choice and it's consequences. The viewer tends to think about the alternative choice and the consequences it would present. Examining the consequences helps the viewer decide what further actions need to be taken by making that choice. This helps the basic process of clarifying our values. I find myself doing this when I watch a show where a character has to choose between two paths, and I always try to think of the consequences of the other choice. Doing so helps me see both paths clearly and helps me decide what my values are by the choice I would make in the same situation.
One strategy is that at TV show will present a situation or problem where the main character is shown acting on a particular choice and it's consequences. The viewer tends to think about the alternative choice and the consequences it would present. Examining the consequences helps the viewer decide what further actions need to be taken by making that choice. This helps the basic process of clarifying our values. I find myself doing this when I watch a show where a character has to choose between two paths, and I always try to think of the consequences of the other choice. Doing so helps me see both paths clearly and helps me decide what my values are by the choice I would make in the same situation.
Another strategy is to help us deal with the emotions that come out when we watch a program. TV is a window to our current culture influencing and shaping our values in this society.
The programs give us model behaviors, examples of good and evil, and illustrates masculinity and femininity. The things that are important and people are concerned about always end up on TV in some form. It not only appears on the evening news or documentaries, but in series and movies. It brings these issues, conflicts, ideas, and pressures home. We encounter these things everyday of our lives, and TV can be a place where we exercise our values and beliefs. It can also teach us to stick up for our beliefs. There is no need to change what someone believes in because a character on a show believes otherwise. Those beliefs make up who we are, and TV shouldn't change who we are from what we see others do.
It's important to be a selective viewer because certain shows will lean towards the evil side than the good and other shows just show the good. Even too much good is a bad thing. Sometimes you need the evil side to see what good really is.
People have started to see that TV is not entirely a bad thing. It has benefits that people have overlooked. The Center for Media Literacy explains, "many people now realize the importance of identifying positive television programming... those shows which expand awareness, broaden understanding, deepen perception." It stimulates are mind and exercises are brain on a daily basis. Without TV we would not be aware of important problems around the world or be able to listen to other perspectives on an issue.
TV is a catalyst to discussions by presenting facts and opinions about our culture and raising important questions. When my family and I watch the news or a program where an important event is being portrayed, we always discuss each other's opinions and alternate decisions that could have been made. I love doing this because it helps me develop my values and beliefs. Additionally, it brings my family closer to each other because we are all relating to a similar subject. Instead of being a passive observer, people can actually immerse themselves in TV and have repeated discussions to exercise their values and beliefs.
So is it possible that we should watch more TV because it will help us understand what we believe in? Maybe, but at the same time we have to remember to be selective viewers and try and keep the balance between good and evil.
Source:
Center for Media Literacy:
http://www.medialit.org/reading-room/stay-tunedtv-can-be-good-you
The programs give us model behaviors, examples of good and evil, and illustrates masculinity and femininity. The things that are important and people are concerned about always end up on TV in some form. It not only appears on the evening news or documentaries, but in series and movies. It brings these issues, conflicts, ideas, and pressures home. We encounter these things everyday of our lives, and TV can be a place where we exercise our values and beliefs. It can also teach us to stick up for our beliefs. There is no need to change what someone believes in because a character on a show believes otherwise. Those beliefs make up who we are, and TV shouldn't change who we are from what we see others do.
It's important to be a selective viewer because certain shows will lean towards the evil side than the good and other shows just show the good. Even too much good is a bad thing. Sometimes you need the evil side to see what good really is.
People have started to see that TV is not entirely a bad thing. It has benefits that people have overlooked. The Center for Media Literacy explains, "many people now realize the importance of identifying positive television programming... those shows which expand awareness, broaden understanding, deepen perception." It stimulates are mind and exercises are brain on a daily basis. Without TV we would not be aware of important problems around the world or be able to listen to other perspectives on an issue.
TV is a catalyst to discussions by presenting facts and opinions about our culture and raising important questions. When my family and I watch the news or a program where an important event is being portrayed, we always discuss each other's opinions and alternate decisions that could have been made. I love doing this because it helps me develop my values and beliefs. Additionally, it brings my family closer to each other because we are all relating to a similar subject. Instead of being a passive observer, people can actually immerse themselves in TV and have repeated discussions to exercise their values and beliefs.
So is it possible that we should watch more TV because it will help us understand what we believe in? Maybe, but at the same time we have to remember to be selective viewers and try and keep the balance between good and evil.
Source:
Center for Media Literacy:
http://www.medialit.org/reading-room/stay-tunedtv-can-be-good-you
Saturday, October 22, 2011
TV Has Two Sides
The American Academy of Pediatrics explains, "The first 2 years of life are considered a critical time for brain development. TV and other electronic media can get in the way of
exploring, playing, and interacting with parents and others, which encourages learning and
healthy social development." As a child, I always watched TV instead of interacting with my family or friends. It was easier for me to just listen to someone on TV and have the advantage of not responding to the questions they ask or stories they tell.
Without developing these skills, it was difficult for me to interact with my peers at school and social events. I found it hard to respond to their comments, stories, or questions because I never had that experience as a young child. Thinking back, as I sat their watching TV, I sat their silently taking in everything people said, but I was never able to respond. Of course, there were times when I thought something was definitely wrong or something was interesting and new. However, I wasn't able to give my opinion to the characters and I was forced to keep it to myself. From this, I developed the habit of keeping my thoughts and opinions to myself, which was detrimental to me when it came time to socialize. At school it was hard for me to give my opinion to people because I was never able to share it. By not sharing it, I was unable to obtain people's responses to my thoughts. I was always nervous talking to people because I was scared of hearing their responses to my opinions. This fear is still with me today and it continually impedes my ability to make new friends and socialize with others.
Though TV has created a fear of socializing for me, I have learned how to socialize with people. I have learned that gossiping is wrong since it hurts people and that it only leads to trouble later. Also, that there are limits to what you can tell someone about themselves. For an example, on an episode of Parks and Recreation Leslie, the main character, tries to tell her best friend, Anne, how to live her life with her boyfriend. Anne did not want to be told how to live her life and Leslie was not able to understand her signals. She continually gave advice and only realized it after Anne had gotten upset at her. Sometimes you have to keep your thoughts and opinions to yourself and you have to chose your words carefully so the other person does not get upset.
TV has helped and harmed me at the same time. It prevented the growth of my social skills, but at the same time it taught me how to interact with people. Even though I wasn't physically able to talk to someone because I was afraid of their response, I was able to realize what I should and shouldn't say to people. It taught me social faux pas that I try to avoid everyday and how to make friends. If I hadn't watched so much TV as a child, I would have the confidence to socialize with my peers. There was a balancing act that occurred. Though TV scared me out of socializing, I knew how to socialize from the shows it provided for me.
Maybe that it is was TV does for us. It provides us with the evil side in order to see the good. Every show we watch will give us both sides of the situation and we have to decide which side we want to learn from. TV can provide us with a good balance of evil and good if we chose the shows we watch wisely. Could it be that the reason TV seems so harmful is because of the decisions we make with it? Maybe if TV contained educational documentaries and programs, parents and doctors would not be so inclined to limit the time children watch TV. The two sides of TV will always be a debate and possibly we can come to a reasonable balance.
Source: http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/tv_affects_child.html
exploring, playing, and interacting with parents and others, which encourages learning and
healthy social development." As a child, I always watched TV instead of interacting with my family or friends. It was easier for me to just listen to someone on TV and have the advantage of not responding to the questions they ask or stories they tell.
Without developing these skills, it was difficult for me to interact with my peers at school and social events. I found it hard to respond to their comments, stories, or questions because I never had that experience as a young child. Thinking back, as I sat their watching TV, I sat their silently taking in everything people said, but I was never able to respond. Of course, there were times when I thought something was definitely wrong or something was interesting and new. However, I wasn't able to give my opinion to the characters and I was forced to keep it to myself. From this, I developed the habit of keeping my thoughts and opinions to myself, which was detrimental to me when it came time to socialize. At school it was hard for me to give my opinion to people because I was never able to share it. By not sharing it, I was unable to obtain people's responses to my thoughts. I was always nervous talking to people because I was scared of hearing their responses to my opinions. This fear is still with me today and it continually impedes my ability to make new friends and socialize with others.
Though TV has created a fear of socializing for me, I have learned how to socialize with people. I have learned that gossiping is wrong since it hurts people and that it only leads to trouble later. Also, that there are limits to what you can tell someone about themselves. For an example, on an episode of Parks and Recreation Leslie, the main character, tries to tell her best friend, Anne, how to live her life with her boyfriend. Anne did not want to be told how to live her life and Leslie was not able to understand her signals. She continually gave advice and only realized it after Anne had gotten upset at her. Sometimes you have to keep your thoughts and opinions to yourself and you have to chose your words carefully so the other person does not get upset.
TV has helped and harmed me at the same time. It prevented the growth of my social skills, but at the same time it taught me how to interact with people. Even though I wasn't physically able to talk to someone because I was afraid of their response, I was able to realize what I should and shouldn't say to people. It taught me social faux pas that I try to avoid everyday and how to make friends. If I hadn't watched so much TV as a child, I would have the confidence to socialize with my peers. There was a balancing act that occurred. Though TV scared me out of socializing, I knew how to socialize from the shows it provided for me.
Maybe that it is was TV does for us. It provides us with the evil side in order to see the good. Every show we watch will give us both sides of the situation and we have to decide which side we want to learn from. TV can provide us with a good balance of evil and good if we chose the shows we watch wisely. Could it be that the reason TV seems so harmful is because of the decisions we make with it? Maybe if TV contained educational documentaries and programs, parents and doctors would not be so inclined to limit the time children watch TV. The two sides of TV will always be a debate and possibly we can come to a reasonable balance.
Source: http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/tv_affects_child.html
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
In the Beginning
For as long as I can remember, television has been part of my daily schedule. When I needed to relax or waste time during my summer days, I would always turn to TV. Coming home after an eight hour day at school, TV was a pleasant way to relax and forget my troubles for the day. It was a window to the outside world, a way for me to see the troubles that other people were having and relate to them. It provided me with programs to learn everything that a normal classroom could not, such as friendship, decision making, and patience. To me it was a bridge between what school was able to teach me and what it left out of its curriculum.
But that was for only four hours out my day. TV was part of my daily schedule, but not a major part because I was told to do activities that were more productive, such as painting, drawing, and playing sports. During those four hours though, TV has taught me some important lessons. For example, one of my favorite shows as a child (and still is), was "Arthur." In each episode, Arthur went through an experience that taught him an important lesson. One episode was about how hitting people is wrong no matter what they have done to upset you. Having an older brother taught me the same thing, but TV enforced it. TV strengthened the morals that I already knew were right and showed me the ones that were wrong.
But that was for only four hours out my day. TV was part of my daily schedule, but not a major part because I was told to do activities that were more productive, such as painting, drawing, and playing sports. During those four hours though, TV has taught me some important lessons. For example, one of my favorite shows as a child (and still is), was "Arthur." In each episode, Arthur went through an experience that taught him an important lesson. One episode was about how hitting people is wrong no matter what they have done to upset you. Having an older brother taught me the same thing, but TV enforced it. TV strengthened the morals that I already knew were right and showed me the ones that were wrong.
Even though TV has helped me learn important life lessons, it has impeded the growth of other important life skills, such as social skills. As an impressionable child, I was easily influenced by what my heroes were doing. It prevented me from performing more physical activities that could make my body healthier. I was exposed to materials and topics that were really meant for adults, such as violence and other risky behaviors. TV augmented my procrastination to do my homework or chores. In high school, had I not watched TV for as long as four hours, I could have had my homework done by 9:00 p.m. everyday. However, it was my choice to watch TV instead of improving myself, and it is partly my fault for my weaknesses.
Maybe the key to TV is balance. Watching TV in moderation is a good thing, but excessive TV can be harmful. Children will be able to obtain their important life lessons and leave the other harmful behind. In this way they can have physical activity, be more productive and stay healthy. Of course, as children get older they will develop a different taste in TV shows, and some will be hard not to watch. I myself have the same issue. I have some TV shows that I need to watch, and I only watch the shows that I want to. I don't really turn on the TV just because I am bored. I tend to paint, draw or listen to music when I am bored. I can not eliminate TV from life because it's part of my daily schedule for so long, but I can limit what and how much I watch.
Parents are the key to this balance. Without parents, children will not learn their limits for TV and watch whatever show seems interesting. Most of the time these shows are about violence, sex, and risky behavior. These topics are for adults, not for children who are still developing. Parents can teach their children and teenagers which shows will be helpful to them and which are harmful. Doing so, will allow their children to grow up to be healthy in every aspect of their lives.
Maybe the key to TV is balance. Watching TV in moderation is a good thing, but excessive TV can be harmful. Children will be able to obtain their important life lessons and leave the other harmful behind. In this way they can have physical activity, be more productive and stay healthy. Of course, as children get older they will develop a different taste in TV shows, and some will be hard not to watch. I myself have the same issue. I have some TV shows that I need to watch, and I only watch the shows that I want to. I don't really turn on the TV just because I am bored. I tend to paint, draw or listen to music when I am bored. I can not eliminate TV from life because it's part of my daily schedule for so long, but I can limit what and how much I watch.
Parents are the key to this balance. Without parents, children will not learn their limits for TV and watch whatever show seems interesting. Most of the time these shows are about violence, sex, and risky behavior. These topics are for adults, not for children who are still developing. Parents can teach their children and teenagers which shows will be helpful to them and which are harmful. Doing so, will allow their children to grow up to be healthy in every aspect of their lives.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)