Oct
08 10
Idiot Box
Posted by: Leili Learning Life
Under: yoga teacher training
In response to a homework question: What have you found useful or inspirational to lead a simpler life and swim against the standard consumer current?
I haven’t turned on the television in over a year, and I’m so much happier because of it! I’m no longer losing hours of my life (in half-hour segments) mindlessly staring at a box. The 5:30 news no longer dictates what “stories” are supposedly most important for me to know about — I choose from print/online media what I want to read. Fast food commercials and 3-day mega sale ads? They don’t touch my eyes or ears. Sure, I don’t know the names of any new movies that are out, and I’ve yet to lay my eyes on any Real Housewives other than those that I encounter at the grocery store. But I feel so much freer. I’m no longer stuck in a constant stream of TV-influenced desires: I want to try that restaurant, I need that dress, I wish I looked like that girl on that show.
If I’m not swimming against the standard consumer current, I definitely feel at least that I’m standing against it letting much of it flow on by. When others learn how much I don’t watch TV — usually when the other person is trying to make conversation and asks if I saw the latest episode of a show — they usually respond by saying something like, “Wow, I can’t live without that show!” This usually makes me feel uncool, and then I wonder what I’m missing. But then I don’t have the time and I don’t want to spend the energy on finding out, so it doesn’t matter.
So am I anti-TV? Yeah, pretty much. It just doesn’t work for me anymore. (I know for certain that the few seconds I’ve seen of Jersey Shore have made me stupider.) In turning off the TV, I’ve found some simplicity for myself in our very consumer-driven culture. I’ve given myself some space from the ads, the images, the sales pitches, and the subliminal messages, and I am proud to guard this space as fiercely as I choose. In addition to no TV watching is no magazine buying for me. Same images, same ads, same influences, just glossy and printed. Random blog reading has mostly gone by the wayside, too. I don’t miss these things.
Still, there are caveats and exceptions. For example, I of course still buy stuff, including stuff I don’t need. (I’m not talking about shoes though. I’m just not.) The difference is that when I buy things now, I don’t just randomly “shop.” I love that. I know what I like and mostly where to get it, and there isn’t as much wanting –> consuming –> wasting as I was doing before.
But to my dear channel-surfing friends, I promise I won’t judge you for watching the tube. Sure, I may ruin your favorite show with a comment about the TV killing off my brain cells, but please don’t take it personally. It isn’t you, it’s just your 1080i.
3 Responses to Idiot Box
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i love this so much, leli.i happen to completely agree with you. much to my dismay i am married to a tv junkie.before we got married i didn't have a tv for over year, and when we moved and brought tv back i felt SO sensitive to the images and sounds. it was so alarming and upsetting. at that time allie was around 6 and i was so upset by what she was seeing on tv — even just commercials. the crazy thing was, she was totally insensitive to it.anyway, thanks for sharing your thoughts. kudos and i'm jealous =)
not the shoes…oh, please not the shoes! i can so totally relate with the checking out from tv and that leading into magazines. My hubby is still wathching downloaded series and i agreed to watch Glee with my littly guy – downloaded with no commericals of coures. the time and brain drain sucked up by the "boob tube" as my parents used to call it is amazing. More power to you…but please not the shoes!
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