While TV has been blamed for many of society’s failings, especially as a time consumer for the masses, it might also be the source of many of our ideas and information. Arguably, the ideas and information may be suspect in terms of quality and value but TV has probably become a major focal point in most homes throughout the west. If this is the case then it can be argued that Television viewing of positive programming is likely to improve family communication by supplying stimulating and thought provoking ideas and information.
Much has been said about the value of television, but most people in my experience have learned much and shared much of their new found knowledge with each other. These experiences have led to many coffee room conversations and across-the dinner-table debates. Sports, news and entertainment have always stirred our collective interests, and aren’t these topics the ones we all love to debate and discuss? Let’s face it, TV has become part of our social milieu and the family has for the most part endorsed it in a multitude of different ways too numerous for any one of us to name.
What about the notion that TV watching is a very passive activity? Studies have been published claiming that the average viewer is more relaxed physically than during sleep! But is that the point? Watching TV sports can be very active. Watching a very stirring drama can bring tears to our eyes. We must all concede that good or bad Television programming supplies us all with plenty to talk about and plenty to stimulate our imagination.
I have watched TV since I was a child and have seen the many changes in programming over the years, and I must confess, that despite the flaws in TV programming, and despite the annoying commercials, I have found the television to be enormously entertaining, intellectually stimulating and most certainly a source of interesting conversation. Many conversations have been stimulated or sourced from what our family had viewed. Sometimes the conversation is simply the latest sporting event. On other occasions stirring debate on world events and the state of the environment have grown from watching many excellent news documentaries.
Are there any counterpoints to consider? I have observed many people being consumed by their televisions and they use it to lose themselves in a passive and thoughtless dreamland. Maybe they are escaping from our fast-paced and highly stressful society that most of us find ourselves caught up in. But is TV to blame? I think not. If anything, television has allowed many of us to stay connected to society and, by extension, to our own families by being informed in ways that were not so convenient in the pre-radio and television eras. We should always think carefully about the technologies that change society and the debate about TV and its impact on us should never stop.
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