mindwanderings

I sometimes watched television back in high school, but when I did, I must admit I enjoyed the programs that played such as Friends, the Simpsons, and a variety of other shows that I randomly watched from time to time. Since I moved to San Francisco though, I must also admit that I miss television. Yes, I could stream shows from the internet, but there’s something about having the set in front of you and the remote in hand that gives me power, the power to change the channel.

Although I don’t have a television in my dorm room, my lovely next door neighbors do. The thing is though, I don’t go there specifically for a show. I only watch television just to be in the company of friends; it’s more of a social interaction than following Desperate Housewives. I’m also glad I don’t have one. Although I would watch the news as usual, I wouldn’t be surprised if I fell into the traps of other mindless shows. Are they really mindless, though? I mean – don’t some shows make you think if Abby will go for Dave or for Max? She’s twisted in a love triangle. All in all, I am better without a talking box.

I always saw television as a mean to escape from reality for a moment. It made me forget about my long day and took me into the lives of the television stars. I’d turn to television when homework was too frustrating or tedious. Of course television isn’t real; it’s ironic that reality television is the phoniest thing I have ever seen. Now I don’t see it as an escape but more of something one turns to for entertainment.

I can’t say that television has any influence on me right now. I watch it just because it’s there. I am not easily influenced (or am I?) by the nature of the shows and don’t seem effected by its violence and whatnot. The only influence that it has ever done to me was make me a couch slug who was entranced by the shows. And damn those commercials; they make you want to know what will happen next but you’d have to wait minutes before the story continues. No, I am not an angry person because of television – it’s just those commercials stretch so long sometimes.

Although I do miss watching the tube and all the fun programs, I know that life is waiting for me outside. I realize that I have wasted a great deal of time spent in front of a blaring screen when I could’ve explored the world outside. It wasn’t hard to give it up because I wasn’t much of an addict to begin with; but it was something that was fun. However, I wouldn’t necessarily want to entirely give up television. I still like following stories and am restless when I can’t know what will happen next in the episode until next week. My idea is having a couple of hours a week (no more than 5) so you won’t be missing much and totally deprived.

In many ways, the way marketers vie for consumer’s attention is the same as how producers for television shows want to attract viewers. The way the TV narrator spells out the drama for the next episode is not only exaggerated, but it turns out not to be what he said in the first place. The little clips shown don’t tell the whole story. Advertisers try to entice consumers with many different psychological aspects in hopes of filling an unconscious void. They aren’t all that different; the more people interested, the higher the profit. Desperate Housewives must make a fortune.

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