Television was the most marvelous invention of the twentieth century, arguably. We baby boomers began watching TV in the nineteen fifties, and although we haven't stopped, we probably don't enjoy it quite as much now. Part of it is the cynicism of aging. Television itself seems more cynical with age. Or more wordly.
Most people don't associate Einstein with the invention of TV, but his description of the photoelectric effect, wherein a stream of electrons produces a light image when it slams into a sheet of metal, laid the groundwork for television's experimental development in the nineteen twenties. After World War II the industry really took off. My parents got their first TV around 1950, and were quite sufficiently entertained by turning it on, and watching a blank screen. I was afraid to ask how many hours, days, or weeks this kept them happy...
When I was a kid in the mid nineteen sixties we all got excited when ABC joined NBC and CBS in our town. Three channels seemed like a lot. I loved TV as a kid. Kirk and Spock Star Trek, Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Saturday game of the week...to me it was a world of wonder.
Now I have countless hundreds of channels, and I sit with my remote, clicking from one channel to another...endlessly. And I mean endlessly. I'm never satisfied. Or if I am, that weird urge to see what else is out there kicks in. Click. Click. Click. Through dozens of channels I go, yet again.
I recommend reading "Four Arguments For the Elimination of Television", by an author I believe whose name is Jerry Mander. All four arguments are good, and detailed. The book will convince you that we should all throw our TVs away. Although it convinced me, intellectually, I still decided that the world is a better place with television. MY intuition tells me that, not reason. Same with tobacco, alcohol, and nuclear energy.
Although I think television is inherently "good", I called the cable company about a month ago and told them to disconnect me. I do this every few years; this time, I mean it.
There's just so much a person can tolerate. Entertainment overload? Our corporate masters finally crossed the line with me. Too much sex, to much violence, too much advertising, and too much banal mindlessness. Our Kardashian culture should be ignored, if not exterminated.
Perhaps in the future of television there will be a rebirth of the spirit of Rod Serling, Orson Welles,, and Alan Alda. Until, I'm unplugged.
Scroll down to read the other articles in this issue of The Truthless Reconciler. Thanks!
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