Be picky

Why do I watch television? (I would say we, but I suppose everyone has their own reasons for doing everything, even something as passive as turning on the TV.)

I like the company -- sometimes.  I don't want histrionics, or contrived plots most of the time. I don't want to be bombarded with other peoples problems, or stupidity. Consequently, I often turn on the weather channel, or HGTV (Or used to, it is also becoming a bit melodramatic for my tastes lately.) And if I want to be deeply touched I am particular about how that happens -- I pick my movies and events carefully.

News programs are an iffy proposition.  If it's just your run of the mill, repetitive news stories repeated over and over, approached from every angle, beat to death until I am numb to the atrocities of human kind -- I only watch it when I feel a need to rise up in ire, or am angry about something. Otherwise I get the important news on PBS in the car.

People seem to think that talking about something is the same thing as doing something and it can be, but it can also be like almost everything else in our society -- drug companies are creating customers, doctors, dentists, hospitals, are creating customers, charity events, and television companies are all creating customers.  The bottom line is often about money -- not information, or really even quality care or entertainment.

Television is running itself out of business with poor programming now that we have other resources for finding those things that truly appeal to us. And maybe that is a good thing.  Maybe it has run its course with the big cable companies and big networks giving us what makes them the most money for the cheapest price.

Studies show that depression is linked to television watching and so are attention spans in children, so having to actively pick and choose each item viewed might have other benefits besides just more apt programs. In the interim of changing shows, people might discover themselves.

I often find you much more interesting than the evening's scheduled programs.