Don’t watch Films on TV
I have always been anti-TV. I love reading, so having a TV on in the room interferes with that. Whenever I watch a lot of TV, (more than an hour), I’m left with an empty, “what a waste of time” , feeling. I have never been able to put my finger on why I felt like this, until now.
The psychologist Oliver James has written a book called “Affluenza“, which is an analysis of the causes of depression in a materially affluent world. On page 284 he looks at the effect of TV;
“Studies show that the mental state we enter whilst watching TV is a passive, floating, vicarious consciousness. The emotional and sometimes visible animation of a person attending live theatre or ballet or opera, or when watching a deeply moving film, or when reading a great novel, are very rarely present…………
……….for the vast majority of the time, watching TV is a form of dead, second-hand living”.
Thank you Oliver James, for articulating what I have always felt. I like watching films, but NOT on TV! That’s the reason I called my blog film category ‘Cinema’, because that’s where all films are made to be seen. Not on a little (or even a very large) box, in somebodies front room.
When you go to the cinema to watch a film, there are no interruptions to your enjoyment of the story. There are no telephones going off, no breaks to make a cup of tea, no knocks on your front door, no adverts, no-one talking to you.
It’s just you and the story enfolding in front of you. The wide screen means that even your peripheral vision is immersed in the film. The outside world is cut off, and you can completely lose yourself in the film.
You can get all this for 50% off, if you go on Wednesday!
Marathon Runner, Drinker and Artist, Blogging for Pleasure and Profit.
This is really good, John. I’m actually going to see Nutcracker on Tuesday with a group of friends and am really looking forward to it.
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
Have a great time Mandy. I saw a ballet once, and was surprised how much I enjoyed it. John.-= Mandy Allen´s last blog ..Feeling satisfied! =-.
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I’m so glad that I encouraged my family to opt out of television watching a few years ago.
We first attempted a trial run of disconnecting our cable for 3 months and by the end of the test I was like a raving lunatic. I couldn’t wait to get back to my favorite shows like 60 Minutes and other “investigative” programs.
Our youngest son was only 3 at the time and just as I was about to begin watching my first program after the maddening lull he wanted to say something. I shushed him as quickly and loudly as I could so he would get the drift that daddy was more interested in television than his own son.
My boy wasn’t used to this and neither was my wife. An enthralled family discussion erupted and that was the end of our television viewing. This happened 12 yrs ago and I don’t know how I would ever find the time to watch TV now.
Hell, I shouldn’t even be talking to you right now! I’ve got work to do!
Thanks for a great post, John. Talk to you soon.
Barry
That's a great story Barry. TV has got to be one of the main barriers to living and DOING, (instead of watching other people do things). When my wife left, she took the TV with her, and I had 12 months of absolute freedom and productivity.
John [Reply]
That might be a little hard for me, there are just some must-watch shows that I almost can’t afford to miss.
But you’re right. It might be time to cut down some of the TV time.
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John McNally
Reply:
September 23rd, 2011 at 5:21 pm
Finding the TV ‘Off’ switch is the best way, only switching on for specific programs that you want to watch. Good luck Kevin it can be a hard habit to break.
John
Leamington Spa, England
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