I don’t watch television. The first thing I stopped watching was the news. Then I stopped watching television altogether and started streaming the shows I like. These are the reasons:
- Accuracy is suspect. Journalists don’t make time anymore for checking facts and waiting to talk to the people that know.
- Too many stories are about nefarious happenings involving brown people. I don’t believe most of it.
- Locations with affluence have the ability to filter what gets reported in the news media.
- Shock value seems to be the main objective for stories and headlines.
- The news we need is not being covered at all, or is saved for the last 3 minutes of programming e.g. weather.
“For every hour of TV you watch per week, you spend an extra $200 a year.” – Dave Ramsey
The Main Reason That I Don’t Watch Television
Commercials. Although some commercials are entertaining, most are an insult to intelligence. I understand that the volume has been regulated since I stopped watching, but it used to be that the commercial break could be twice as loud as the programming. Very bad for the headache prone.
Each commercial wants you to buy something. I have enough ideas about what to do with my money, so I don’t need additional suggestions. In fact, I need to focus on what I have already determined is a priority and not become sidetracked with some gadget or tool or service that I don’t need.
More Reasons I Don’t Watch Television
- I discovered Netflix. Since my favorite programming is available commercial free, I can pause for non-commercial breaks like making a sandwich.
- It is hard to stop watching. Addictive even. In fact, it’s true that I have had important things to take care of, and I have been mesmerized and held captive by a program that didn’t even especially interest me.
- There are only a few things that you can do and watch TV at the same time.
- I am fully entertained by my thoughts and my own company so by watching TV, I am depriving myself of productive time. Instead I need to spend my time doing things that at least have the potential to inspire me to get busy.
- Too much sitting is not healthy.
- Subliminal messages encourage me to eat when I am not hungry.
- Most TV has a complete lack of positive redeeming messages. It’s usually images and sounds of people suffering, negativity, fear, gossip, scandal, rape and murder.
- 70% of TV is other people’s business and I like to mind my own business.
- All the money I am saving. To pay for TV seems ridiculous; if that would eliminate commercials I would gladly pay, but instead they want you to pay to see the commercials!
After I Gave Up TV, I Found That:
- My dreams are less violent and my sleep quality is better.
- Now I have more time to do what is important to me like drawing.
- I am less distracted by things that never occurred to me to buy before I saw it on television.
- Above all, I have more quiet time which is a rare commodity in this age.
“Watching TV can triple our hunger for possessions, while reducing our personal contentment by about 5% for every hour a day we watch.” – David Niven
These are the many reasons why I don’t watch television. Most TV shows that I love can be found on Netflix with no commercial breaks. Documentaries are especially lovely because I can listen and draw at the same time.
Mostly I intend to guard my heart for out of it flows the issues of life.
You really said it all?
I get funny looks, but that’s OK. I have probably already watched about 5 years of television in my lifetime. That’s enough for the rest of my life. Love you!
I love your use of ScripTure; it is your natural way of speaking. That comes through loud & clear. I appreciate Your teStimony.
I love to draw but I don’t spend the time on it like you do and it shows!
Your work is excellent; A god give talent! I am so glad I found you on pinterest.
God with a capital G! Sorry.
🙂
Oh wow…thank you ever so much for the kind words! I am glad we found each other on Pinterest!