Why And How To Avoid TV
Published by Marcus Hochstadt | Posted in Better-Than-TV, Challenges
I think the television is one of the greatest inventions of the last century. On July 20, 1969 it allowed humankind to witness Neil Armstrong step out of the Apollo 11 and be the first person to walk on the surface of the moon. It brings what happens in our world directly into our living rooms and is supposed to serve as a medium of information. Some people might even go so far as to claim that it educates and enlightens us.
Though, I think life is better without the tube.
The television itself isn’t the problem. It’s the current state of television viewing and its effect on modern society that is worrisome. It has, on many levels, become a cultural necessity, even an addiction, for that matter.
According to a report by Nielsen Media Research, the average North-American watches four hours of TV daily. This report also revealed that North-American children watch 1,023 hours of TV on an annual basis while they only attend 900 hours of school in a year. It comes as quite a shock when one reads the statistics.
More and more, the disadvantages of watching TV just seem to outweigh the benefits of avoiding TV.
Common Habits And Their Effects
Many people come home from a day’s work and “relax” in front of the tube. Little do they know that the rapid flickering, the constant changes in images, and the glowing pulse on the screen actually reduces their energy level.
On the other hand, if they were to go out and jog or have a workout in the gym (or write a new Web page ;-), they would become more energized. Ironic, isn’t it?
Watching TV also inhibits your imagination and has a numbing effect on your mind. This is because TV viewers passively take in information as opposed to actively doing research and thinking about what they are watching. You sit back and watch what is essentially somebody else’s imagination.
Ever noticed how come we don’t exactly remember the whole movie we watched 24 hours ago? On the other hand, we do remember very well and a lot of details of a vacation we took a couple months or even years ago.
Even when you make it a point to watch a worthwhile program, how long do you actually spend changing channels and playing “zap” with the remote control in order to avoid the boring advertisements or out of fear you’d miss something?
Which brings us to the next problem: the extent of how television stations and the networks use TV to bombard the public with advertisements and product promotions. TV has become a medium for mindless consumerism. Even if you think you are not effected, remember that there is a whole industry of educated and trained specialists whose job it is to get you to want to go out and buy that latest SUV or anti-wrinkle cream.
Do you really think advertisers would waste billions of dollars on TV advertisements that don’t work? Come on, who are we kidding? It’s a jungle out there.
By now, the debate on TV violence has become widespread enough, and frankly, quite mundane. Although a consensus has yet to be reached, one cannot deny the adverse effect that the portrayal of violence has on our youngsters.
Human beings are social animals and our behaviors are shaped by societal influences. Unfortunately, TV forms a part of modern-day society. That alone is a reason for me to avoid TV.
Reflect
Look at all the things you could do if you would switch off the TV and choose to use your time more wisely. You could read an inspiring book, go out and get to know some interesting and resourceful people, learn how to build a Web site, master a music instrument, take part in family get-togethers, reflect upon how you want to grow personally—the list is endless.
You do get the point I am trying to make, right? I manage to avoid watching TV about 98% of the time, and my life has become better and more fulfilling as a result.
There are certain things you could do to kick the habit and avoid TV. They are simpler than you may think…
Methods On How To Avoid TV
- For starters, you could throw away the remote control. It would amaze you how much less time you’d spend in front of the tube if you had to get up to change the channel or adjust the volume every five minutes.
- OK, if that is too much, you could give the remote control to a friend for, say, 21 days. At least you could realize how silly it would be to visit your friend and ask him or her for your remote control…
- What about a TV-watching plan where you choose to watch only certain shows in a week. You watch only these shows and immediately turn off the tube when they are over. It might be hard at times due to the fear of loss, but this method served as my first step towards successfully avoiding TV.
- When you are eating, turn off the box at all times.
- How about making it a point to devote at least 15 hours a week to reading?
- Ultimately, if all that fails, remember that you can always give your TV to a charity!
Here’s to a better life.
—Marcus Hochstadt
19 CommentsPermalink Tags: avoid tv
SundayTV
Published by Marcus Hochstadt | Posted in Better-Than-TV
In today’s SundayTV show we’re going to see Bob Proctor; author, philosopher, entrepreneur and teacher preaching the gospel of positive thinking, self-motivation and maximizing human potential.
Here is an interesting short video in which he shares what was responsible for his success, and a few other profound messages. Don’t be misled by its simplicity, okay?
Enjoy! :-)
—Marcus Hochstadt
SundayTV
Published by Marcus Hochstadt | Posted in Better-Than-TV
Today’s SundayTV show features Brian Tracy, the Master Architect of personal development. He’s helped millions of people achieve their business and personal goals faster and easier.
Below is a short 1:36 minute video of him on How To Find A Goal You Can Achieve In 24 Hours…
My hope is you achieve yours.
—Marcus Hochstadt
SundayTV
Published by Marcus Hochstadt | Posted in Better-Than-TV
Today’s SundayTV show features Dalai Lama, Nobel Peace Prize Winner and committed to tirelessly distribute the message of love, peace, and compassion throughout the world.
Without further ado, let’s see (and listen to) the wisdom he shared in a short interview at a conference. Especially at the seventh minute, right before the end, he really gets to the meat…
There’s a 4-part series with more profound messages of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Each part goes 90 minutes, so these four parts together are six hours long.
If you are interested I encourage you to switch off television and watch these four parts instead. You may want to watch one per day, from Monday to Thursday. Again, instead of your regular TV junk.
These four parts shall teach you more and bring you much further in both your life and your Internet business than sticking to the regular TV crap. ;-)
Dalai Lama – The Four Noble Truths – Part 1/4
http://youtube.com/watch?v=FXmdKWVirUA
Dalai Lama – The Four Noble Truths – Part 2/4
http://youtube.com/watch?v=uoMJ2B3v1iU
Dalai Lama – The Four Noble Truths – Part 3/4
http://youtube.com/watch?v=R3t0uMdPT6g
Dalai Lama – The Four Noble Truths – Part 4/4
http://youtube.com/watch?v=YTs6HnSqHmo
Enjoy!
—Marcus Hochstadt
SundayTV
Published by Marcus Hochstadt | Posted in Better-Than-TV
In today’s SundayTV show we’re going to see Dr. John Hagelin, Professor of Physics. John was a contributor in the movie The Secret as well as in What The Bleep!? Down the Rabbit Hole.
When I first heard his words of wisdom in The Secret I was more than impressed, I was moved and partly overwhelmed. His knowledge and wisdom is so profound. Awesome!
NOTE: What he says is scientific language on a very deep level. You may want to watch it several times in order to REALLY get the whole message. It is, as I said, intense.
Here’s Part I…
Once you’ve been through Part I go ahead and watch Part II…
Bottom line?
“We are really united at the core.” ~Dr. John Hagelin
Hope you enjoyed and got the message of today’s SundayTV show.
—Marcus Hochstadt
TV And Your Life Purpose
Published by Marcus Hochstadt | Posted in Better-Than-TV
Isn’t it funny… I used to be a TV junkie, but for the past five to six years I refuse watching TV 99% of the time. Can you imagine how much time I save? It’s incredible!
My lovely wife is just not that far yet. When she spent three months in Germany in 2006 she couldn’t watch any since I did not own that box. Now that we live in sunny Brazil in a furnished apartment, I sometimes wish to literally throw that duct out of the window. BUT…
There is hope.
She wished and I gave here the book Secrets Of The Millionaire Mind from T. Harv Eker on Christmas (the Portuguese edition entitled Os segredos da mente milionária.) Since then she read almost all of it.
The amazing thing is the more she reads the less she watches TV. How cool is that?
It does happen often, doesn’t it? What I mean is that sometimes people only listen to “someone else’s wisdom” rather than yours. The advantage we have is we have a horde of books of wisdom we can choose from!
Maybe giving a book to someone close to you would solve the problem, once and for all?
Why not try test it? :-)
~Marcus
P.S. End of week is approaching, so is the next SundayTV show. Hmm… are you curious what’s coming?
No CommentsPermalink Tags: life purpose, tv
SundayTV
Published by Marcus Hochstadt | Posted in Better-Than-TV
I boiled it down to three videos, but had to decide upon one for today’s SundayTV show. Napoleon Hill made the cut.
YES, the below video is of Napoleon Hill! :-)
You certainly know him; he’s the author of Think and Grow Rich.
Here we go…
All of what he says is so profound, so you may want to watch it several times to really get his messages. Especially, I hope you do the exercise he gives you at 4:52 min., and that you do it more often than just once.
Enjoy!
—Marcus Hochstadt
It’s Television Time, SundayTV!
Published by Marcus Hochstadt | Posted in Better-Than-TV
I avoid watching television 99% of the time. The 1% I do watch are very interesting documentaries about countries, places or cultures, or some movies with actors or actresses I really love seeing.I feel very sorry for those sitting 4-8 hours PER DAY in front of that box, throwing valuable time of their life into the TV trash. Watching news several times per day, those new or well-established soap operas… are they aware how life damaging this crap is?
If the TV would just broadcast valuable education and shows with excellent business mentors and exceptional self-improvement coaches, this freakin little box would bring a lot more value to mankind. Speaking of which…
==
Starting tomorrow, Sunday 13th, I’m going to post videos I discovered on the Net and find are well-worth sharing with you, my respected reader. I’m going to post these videos on Sundays (hence the title ‘SundayTV’).
Feel free to see them as a good tool for replacing TV.
Stay tuned! :-)
—Marcus Hochstadt
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