Four Arguments for the Elimination...

I don't watch TV. Keeps my mind clear.  For anyone who is thinking of giving it up, Jerry Mander's all time classic, FOUR ARGUMENTS FOR THE ELIMINATION OF TELEVISION will help you turn it off and end paying monthly cable bills.

Re: Four Arguments for the Elimination...

I don't watch TV for many years now.  But, I buy the DVDs of tv series that I like to watch like I have bought Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Smallville, Will & Grace, Desperate Housewives, and Lost.  But next week when Season 3 of Lost begins, I would like to watch it on tv every week because I just could not wait almost a year for the next DVD box set to come out again.  The plot and story of LOST is just amazing and well written and presented.  For those who missed out on seasons 1 and 2, you can watch it online and even the season 3 they will show it online after each episode.  LOST rules!

Re: Four Arguments for the Elimination...

I love Jerry Mander's book.  Much of what he says is true.  Did you read “In the Absense of the Sacred” where he looked at the effects of television signals coming for the first time to Eskimo villages?  Good stuff.

I tell my son there are two kinds of people in the world, those who watch television and those who make it.  It's better to be the later.

I work in television.  Although I agree with some of Mr. Mander's theories I also understand there is a great deal to be gained through the power of television.  Just like we are gaining through the power of the internet.  Many of his criticisms about TV are not completely valid.  For example he discusses how TV shows material better than spirit, conflict better than resolution.  I disagree.  I do not think the media has an inherent predispotion to filter content.  TV is what people make of it.  Right now most TV is controlled by huge corporations, so of course it is going to reflect the inherent ideological charactor of international corporate greed.

But there are plenty of people who are out there trying make good TV.  Children's Television Workshop, Frontline, and others.

And as a diversion it is great.  No better way to unwind after a hard day and take in modern mythic story telling in the form of Lost or Curb Your Enthusiasm.  Even the Dalai Lama talks about enjoying sitcoms.  The point here is not to make it an end all and certainly not to confuse television as a beneficial relaxation technique like yoga.

s.