TeVil: Television is Evil

I don't watch much television. In fact, I don't even own a television. When I moved out of my parent's house four years ago, I decided that I didn't want a television. My original intent was to spend my spare time practicing guitar since I was trying to learn how to play. Then I got into reading, writing, developing software on my own, recording music, and other things I would have never had the chance to do if I spent most of my spare time watching television. In all of my four years without television, I've never missed having one. Sure, I missed alot of shows but I don't think I really missed much. Below are some of the basic reasons I don't particularly like television. I'll be elaborating on some of these points as I get time to fill them in.

Most TV Shows Suck.
This is especially true of most so-called situation comedies. The reason they have to add that stupid laugh track is so you know what part is supposed to be funny. If you'll notice, the funniest shows don't have laugh tracks. Cases in point: Beavis and Butthead, the Simpsons, King of the Hill, Ally McBeal, and The Howard Stern Show (both of them).

Television's primary purpose is to advertise.

TV is mind numbing.
In order to reach its maximum potential audience (to whom the sponsors can sell more product), television shows have to be dumbed down to the point of having little or no intellectual value or relevance.

TV presents a false reality.
This in and of itself is not so bad BUT when fantasy is presented as TRUTH and without counteropinion, I have a problem.

TV is censored.
Only a handful of corporations (I believe Noam Chomsky's number is 13) control what you can see on television.

TV is addictive.

TV is racist.

TV is sexist.

TV is homophobic.

TV is violent.

Here are some links that cover more on the evils of television.

[The Kill Your Television]
[Rage Against Media Manipulation]
[TVFree America]
[The Impact of Television]

Here is the anti-television book list.

[In Absense of the Sacred (excerpt)]
Jerry Mander

[Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television]
Jerry Mander

[Opposing the System]
Charles A. Reich

Alternative News Sources

[The Drudge Report]
[DisInformation]
[The JMan's Times]
[The Unreported Truth]
[The Onion]

[Email Your Comments]
[Read a Book]