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Originally posted by TheRedneck
I wish I could figure out when it happened. There had to be a day when suddenly, instead of funny sitcoms and interesting variety shows, there was lame not-so-funny recycled ideas made into sitcoms and the variety shows were replaced with reality TV.
Whenever it was, I am sure it coincided with a major change in my viewing habits.
The Act was claimed to foster competition. Instead, it continued the historic industry consolidation begun by Reagan, whose actions reduced the number of major media companies from around 50 in 1983 to 10 in 1996 [1], reducing the 10 in 1996 to 6 in 2005.[6]
Consumer activist Ralph Nader argued the act was an example of corporate welfare spawned by political corruption, because it granted broadcasters valuable licenses for broadcasting digital signals on the public airwaves at relatively little cost.[7]
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 set the modern tone of "deregulation," a relaxing of percentage constrictions that solidified the previous history of privatizing the utility and commodifying the spectrum. The legislation, touted as a step that would foster competition, actually resulted in the subsequent mergers of several large companies, a trend which still continues.[3]
In the PLUG-IN DRUG, Marie Winn says that television is an addictive drug: "When we think about addiction to drugs or alcohol we frequently focus on negative aspects, ignoring the pleasures that accompany drinking or drug-taking. And yet the essence of any serious addiction is a pursuit of pleasure, a search for a 'high' that normal life does not supply. It is only the inability to function without the addictive substance that is dismaying, the dependence of the organism upon a certain experience and an increasing inability to function normally without it. Thus people will take two or three drinks at the end of the day not merely for the pleasure drinking provides, but also because they 'don't feel normal' without them.
Originally posted by TXMACHINEGUNDLR
If you think I am going to stop drinking Coke or watching TV you are insane. I hunt, hike, fish, boat, and stay in shape with no problems. If others have a problem let them make the choice. Try and force it upon us to NOT do something and we will anyway.
Originally posted by CavemanDD
I'm no scientist.. but I do meditate daily and research into the effects of certain frequencies, and I've done some research of my own... that is..
If you're watching tv, even if theres nothing on... do you just find it hard to look away, or walk away for that matter? I am aware of this now and i'll go to turn the thing off and I feel like I woke up from some..spell.. I turn the tv off and think..yeah.. i don't want to watch anything anyway... Even if its something I like.. I turn it off, and I don't care anymore...
I have this habit of losing sleep over tv, and I don't think about it at the time, but theres nothing there worth watching or even losing sleep over!
And what about that high pitch sound it gives off? gives me a headache.. I'm interested to know its screen refresh rate or something like that... similar to computer monitors... after looking at this one, i have to squint just to look at my old monitor! its that bad! But i mean... patterns have certain affects on our thinking... I think the combination of the high pitch sound and how the screen refreshes... it actually induces a numbing relaxed feeling, tv is relaxing is it not?
Why do some people turn on a tv, mute the volume, don't watch it, and then do some chores or talk on their laptop? WHY? Is it because deep down we are aware of the comfort that it gives us?
I haven't even begun to get into the suggestions it plugs into us through advertising and programs, i'm just talking about the hardware and already i'm not impressed. It won't kill you though, just be aware of whats going on, and don't let the suggestions get to you. Watch tv actively instead of passively. I never watch it but when I do, I try to do this.
If it weren't for others living here, I would get rid of my tv.
Turn that thing OFF. Aside from all mentioned, its a distraction. We seek distraction for some sort of fake joy or relaxation, i assure you there are more constructive ways to do this!
I can get behind any topic discussing the negative effects of television.
Turn the tv OFF!