Comments on: Why And How To Avoid TV http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv Internet Business In A New Light Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:00:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Jan http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv#comment-6100 Jan Sun, 24 Aug 2008 19:17:25 +0000 http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv#comment-6100 I gave away ALL of my TVs 4 years ago and, after have not missed the addiction! I choose what I want to introduce to my mind and when. In other words, I read. It has made a significant difference in my life and am happy for it. One must understand that it is a brainwashing tool and that it takes longer than 30 days to rid oneself of the hypnotic trance we are placed in after continual exposure. Most importantly, TV makes its watchers believers of whatever message is being conveyed whether it be true or false and removes the ability of making decisions for oneself. Thank you for posting this article! I gave away ALL of my TVs 4 years ago and, after have not missed the addiction! I choose what I want to introduce to my mind and when. In other words, I read. It has made a significant difference in my life and am happy for it.

One must understand that it is a brainwashing tool and that it takes longer than 30 days to rid oneself of the hypnotic trance we are placed in after continual exposure.

Most importantly, TV makes its watchers believers of whatever message is being conveyed whether it be true or false and removes the ability of making decisions for oneself.

Thank you for posting this article!

]]> By: M Faisal Nisar http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv#comment-5758 M Faisal Nisar Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:06:33 +0000 http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv#comment-5758 Very good work. I should mention that TV is just like "following foot-steps of the devil" once you get involved it will make you an addict. We should invest our precious time in constructive things (i.e. reading books), rather than just watching junk. Very good work. I should mention that TV is just like “following foot-steps of the devil” once you get involved it will make you an addict.

We should invest our precious time in constructive things (i.e. reading books), rather than just watching junk.

]]> By: Anonymus http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv#comment-1236 Anonymus Mon, 31 Mar 2008 01:07:16 +0000 http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv#comment-1236 I think that your advice is so inspiring and surprisingly very true... I am very encouraged to stop wathing the telivision and devote more of my time drawing or reading... Thanks for that extra boost of reality, signed Anonymus I think that your advice is so inspiring and surprisingly very true… I am very encouraged to stop wathing the telivision and devote more of my time drawing or reading…

Thanks for that extra boost of reality,

signed
Anonymus

]]> By: Judge http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv#comment-449 Judge Mon, 18 Feb 2008 21:23:50 +0000 http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv#comment-449 "This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires and lights in a box." -Edward R. Murrow “This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires and lights in a box.” -Edward R. Murrow

]]> By: jb http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv#comment-383 jb Fri, 15 Feb 2008 18:34:07 +0000 http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv#comment-383 oh, that is a hard one to do - how to not watch tv, LOL oh, that is a hard one to do - how to not watch tv, LOL

]]> By: Theda K. http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv#comment-339 Theda K. Tue, 12 Feb 2008 20:30:13 +0000 http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv#comment-339 Hi Marcus, I am one of those TV addicts, but I got there in a strange way. My father told me everything you have in your post, but he told us so often, and made us turn off the TV so much, that as soon as I moved out I started watching TV almost in rebellion. Okay, not almost. But now I have a toddler, so I don't want her to watch too much TV, but I also don't want to force her into it by not allowing it. What I've done recently is to get rid of most of the cable channels, and I've bought a few DVDs. At least what she watches is stuff I approve of and can control. The problem for me as a home-based business owner is I need to distract my daughter sometimes so I can get work done. I'm beginning to think daycare might be a better choice if all I'm going to do is plop her in front of the TV. On the other hand, she's being exposed to things she might otherwise never be. At 2.5, she looked at snow on our nearby mountains and said, "I can ski on that mountain." She learned about skiing, ice skating, snow (we live in Arizona), and lots of other things from watching TV. Some of the shows are educational. Anyway, I will definitely take your post into account. Thanks! Have a great day! Theda K. Hi Marcus,

I am one of those TV addicts, but I got there in a strange way. My father told me everything you have in your post, but he told us so often, and made us turn off the TV so much, that as soon as I moved out I started watching TV almost in rebellion. Okay, not almost.

But now I have a toddler, so I don’t want her to watch too much TV, but I also don’t want to force her into it by not allowing it.

What I’ve done recently is to get rid of most of the cable channels, and I’ve bought a few DVDs. At least what she watches is stuff I approve of and can control.

The problem for me as a home-based business owner is I need to distract my daughter sometimes so I can get work done. I’m beginning to think daycare might be a better choice if all I’m going to do is plop her in front of the TV.

On the other hand, she’s being exposed to things she might otherwise never be. At 2.5, she looked at snow on our nearby mountains and said, “I can ski on that mountain.” She learned about skiing, ice skating, snow (we live in Arizona), and lots of other things from watching TV. Some of the shows are educational.

Anyway, I will definitely take your post into account.

Thanks! Have a great day!

Theda K.

]]> By: John http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv#comment-338 John Tue, 12 Feb 2008 20:13:23 +0000 http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv#comment-338 Marcus, congratulations on your new blog! I haven't watched TV for over 3 years and don't miss it at all. I am shocked when I get a peek at friends houses and the same junk is still on! Next year old TVs in the US will need a decoder box. That might make it easy for many to quit the habit LOL Marcus, congratulations on your new blog!

I haven’t watched TV for over 3 years and don’t miss it
at all. I am shocked when I get a peek at friends houses
and the same junk is still on!
Next year old TVs in the US will need a decoder box. That
might make it easy for many to quit the habit LOL

]]> By: pilotg2 http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv#comment-336 pilotg2 Tue, 12 Feb 2008 19:56:32 +0000 http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv#comment-336 I know I spend way too much time in front of the tv, probably more then the average 4 hrs a day. I know I could put that time to better use, but it has become an addiction. Every so often I will make an attempt to decrease my "boob tube" (as my grandfather used to call it) time. Unfortunately with multiple people in the house, I usually revert back to my old habits within 2 weeks. And convincing someone else to reduce the tv time is no easy feet. Although I do like the suggestion of getting rid of the remote but that may be a little extreme, and you have to have a friend to give it to, perhaps simply "losing" it for a week or two would work as well. I know I spend way too much time in front of the tv, probably more then the average 4 hrs a day. I know I could put that time to better use, but it has become an addiction. Every so often I will make an attempt to decrease my “boob tube” (as my grandfather used to call it) time. Unfortunately with multiple people in the house, I usually revert back to my old habits within 2 weeks. And convincing someone else to reduce the tv time is no easy feet. Although I do like the suggestion of getting rid of the remote but that may be a little extreme, and you have to have a friend to give it to, perhaps simply “losing” it for a week or two would work as well.

]]> By: Marcus Hochstadt http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv#comment-323 Marcus Hochstadt Tue, 12 Feb 2008 12:34:24 +0000 http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv#comment-323 Great stuff here. And Marc, you made a good point... to find valuable things to do with the time spent. Imagine you watch Samba competitions every Sunday on Channel X. One day you have the courage and apply to participate live on stage. They invite you. You give an excellent performance. The result is a second-class contract with a young Samba school. You continue to learn and work out every day. You train very hard and in a professional manner. Perhaps a few years later, one of the biggest Samba schools in the country recognizes your skills and determination and offers you a first-class contract. Unfortunately though, the majority is just sitting there goggling how others aim for their dreams. Great stuff here. And Marc, you made a good point… to find valuable things to do with the time spent.

Imagine you watch Samba competitions every Sunday on Channel X. One day you have the courage and apply to participate live on stage. They invite you. You give an excellent performance. The result is a second-class contract with a young Samba school.

You continue to learn and work out every day. You train very hard and in a professional manner. Perhaps a few years later, one of the biggest Samba schools in the country recognizes your skills and determination and offers you a first-class contract.

Unfortunately though, the majority is just sitting there goggling how others aim for their dreams.

]]> By: Michael Aulia http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv#comment-322 Michael Aulia Tue, 12 Feb 2008 10:21:48 +0000 http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv#comment-322 Well I rarely watch TV, almost to never. I spend my hours in front of my computer / internet lol..don't know if it's better or worse Well I rarely watch TV, almost to never.

I spend my hours in front of my computer / internet lol..don’t know if it’s better or worse

]]> By: Tip Diva http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv#comment-320 Tip Diva Tue, 12 Feb 2008 02:44:29 +0000 http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv#comment-320 My mother once declared a "TV-Free Month" when I was a pre-teen, and TV as a habit stopped there. I perhaps watch one or two shows a week, and it's usually "Jeopardy" My mother once declared a “TV-Free Month” when I was a pre-teen, and TV as a habit stopped there. I perhaps watch one or two shows a week, and it’s usually “Jeopardy”

]]> By: turnip http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv#comment-318 turnip Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:19:16 +0000 http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv#comment-318 I watched the superbowl and that was it. I don't even keep TV on in the background. Instead I keep a sports talk radio station on. Let's me concentrate better on blogging. I watched the superbowl and that was it. I don’t even keep TV on in the background. Instead I keep a sports talk radio station on. Let’s me concentrate better on blogging.

]]> By: Marc http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv#comment-316 Marc Mon, 11 Feb 2008 22:35:43 +0000 http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv#comment-316 Like Andrej, I also work from home, and my "office" is in the common room. We cut off the cable about a year and a half ago, and while the teenagers complained a bit, everybody has adapted well. The kids have found better things to do with their time such as auditioning for Canadian Idol (yes, I do see the irony in that :-)), becoming an apprentice to a Master Goldsmith, etc. It is my feeling that the lack of passive stimulus provided by the TV has forced them to kick start their brains and imaginations. Of course, had my daughter actually been accepted in CI, this whole conversation wouldn't be happening, because I would be one dead Dad if I didn't hook up the cable again to watch her compete, heh. Cheers, Marc Like Andrej, I also work from home, and my “office” is in the common room. We cut off the cable about a year and a half ago, and while the teenagers complained a bit, everybody has adapted well. The kids have found better things to do with their time such as auditioning for Canadian Idol (yes, I do see the irony in that :-)), becoming an apprentice to a Master Goldsmith, etc.

It is my feeling that the lack of passive stimulus provided by the TV has forced them to kick start their brains and imaginations. Of course, had my daughter actually been accepted in CI, this whole conversation wouldn’t be happening, because I would be one dead Dad if I didn’t hook up the cable again to watch her compete, heh.

Cheers, Marc

]]> By: A. Caleb Hartley http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv#comment-315 A. Caleb Hartley Mon, 11 Feb 2008 18:52:25 +0000 http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv#comment-315 We still have televisions in the house, but we actually don't have them on very often. Maximum 1-hour per day, and that is often during dinner while watching a DVD of an old season of a show we like. We will watch one episode, then turn it off and go do something else. Our biggest motivator to do so was that we just go too busy to justify wasting that time to ourselves anymore. Namaste, A. Caleb Hartley http://www.environmentastic.com We still have televisions in the house, but we actually don’t have them on very often. Maximum 1-hour per day, and that is often during dinner while watching a DVD of an old season of a show we like. We will watch one episode, then turn it off and go do something else.

Our biggest motivator to do so was that we just go too busy to justify wasting that time to ourselves anymore.

Namaste,
A. Caleb Hartley
http://www.environmentastic.com

]]> By: Andrej http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv#comment-314 Andrej Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:59:40 +0000 http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv#comment-314 I must say, TV is a huge distraction and a massive waste of time. I live in a household of internet entrepreneurs and we all work from home - and the TV is almost always on in the common room, leaving me with two choices: to piss someone off by turning it off, or enter the social zombie mode by putting the headphones on effectively eliminating the benefit of being in the common room in the first place. I find TV watching great for the decompressing though. Whenever I do my Entrecard thing and read the blogs, I like to watch the animal planet, House, Scrubs or whatever is on Comedy Central. It provides background noise for those times when the widgets clog your browser and you'r waiting for the site to load :-) I must say, TV is a huge distraction and a massive waste of time. I live in a household of internet entrepreneurs and we all work from home - and the TV is almost always on in the common room, leaving me with two choices: to piss someone off by turning it off, or enter the social zombie mode by putting the headphones on effectively eliminating the benefit of being in the common room in the first place.

I find TV watching great for the decompressing though. Whenever I do my Entrecard thing and read the blogs, I like to watch the animal planet, House, Scrubs or whatever is on Comedy Central. It provides background noise for those times when the widgets clog your browser and you’r waiting for the site to load :-)

]]> By: Chris Schaffer http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv#comment-312 Chris Schaffer Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:20:23 +0000 http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv#comment-312 I currently don't own a TV and it really it great! however I have also replaced some of that time with meaningless internet stumbling... I do disagree that TV is simply passive though. When I did have a TV I was primarily watching Discovery, History, TLC, and other channels or shows that were similar (except for my addiction to Law & Order also excluding movies). I tend to question those shows, look things up, and I even actively critique regular 'consumer' shows. However, growing up with an engineer and psychologist might make me a bit different than the average viewer. I do fully agree, though, that the amount people watch has become excessive. The fact that news is also pandering to the masses, stockholders, and advertisers rather than actual news is also greatly disturbing. Now I just need to convince more of my friends to dump their TVs, but only enough of them so I can occasionally find an easy fix when I need it ;) I currently don’t own a TV and it really it great! however I have also replaced some of that time with meaningless internet stumbling…

I do disagree that TV is simply passive though. When I did have a TV I was primarily watching Discovery, History, TLC, and other channels or shows that were similar (except for my addiction to Law & Order also excluding movies). I tend to question those shows, look things up, and I even actively critique regular ‘consumer’ shows. However, growing up with an engineer and psychologist might make me a bit different than the average viewer.

I do fully agree, though, that the amount people watch has become excessive. The fact that news is also pandering to the masses, stockholders, and advertisers rather than actual news is also greatly disturbing.

Now I just need to convince more of my friends to dump their TVs, but only enough of them so I can occasionally find an easy fix when I need it ;)

]]> By: Karen Halls http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv#comment-309 Karen Halls Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:22:16 +0000 http://www.hochstadt.com/why-and-how-to-avoid-tv#comment-309 I found your site on google blog search and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. Just added your RSS feed to my feed reader. Look forward to reading more from you. Karen Halls I found your site on google blog search and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. Just added your RSS feed to my feed reader. Look forward to reading more from you.

Karen Halls

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