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/
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