Why isnt television used to make the world a better place instead of turning us into consume-happy idiots?

Question

Its nearly impossible to walk down the street and meet anyone with a relatively accurate sense of reality.
Television is raping us of our sense of self (worth, esteem, identity etc..)
Advertisers redefine beauty, power, and blur the lines between luxury and necessity, reality and fiction.
T.V. for many has replaced intellectual chatter between families and friends. It has replaced our critical self reflection time, our time to go out and do something creative, something productive. It is a shame that a device that connects so many people and has such potential to change the world for good by educating and provoking meaningful thought is used as a tool by corporations to brainwash the masses for their profit.
If you've ever felt "not pretty enough to be successful" or that you could boost your self worth owning a certain something you saw in a commercial, then you are a victim.
We are damaging our health in more ways than one. We need our sense of reality back. Philosophy saves.

Answer 1

Guess I can't fully relate, as I chose to 'pull the plug' on television (no cable, satellite, antenna) five years ago - I now use my old set to view DVD's and videos. Nice to not have to pay for the addiction, anymore!

Answer 2

Ok look, the tube is not going away. When I was a kid we spent our time out playing and being innovative and not watching much tv. But I have some of the most caring, creative, innovative and clever grand kids you could imagine. So it hasn't hurt them. It hurts the ones who don't have parents to temper the mumbo jumbo that comes across the screen.
Some people are gullible and some aren't. I have heard that 75% of our population is lead around by the nose by the other 25%. This was spoken first by someone who lived in the 1800's- no tv then.
But don't let all this bother you too much. I have discovered that there is growth in everything. We as a society have grown, ie, civil rights, womens rights, etc. And in turn the earth's entire population has grown, ie, sacrificing their firstborn to a valcano god.
We all still need much, much more growth but it seemed to happen with or without tv and we are truly moving on, even if it doesn't seem that way.
You can cope a lot better if you will become an observer of "the big picture".
And if there is something that you can do, by all means do it.
I have boycotted a few "bad shows" and sexist advertisments, but the big picture is just too big.
And we all have to remember that we can't be in charge of the whole world.

Answer 3

There are such shows that do make the world a better place, but it is true there are more negative shows affecting the mind of all who watch.

Let me ask you, do you think there is more good in the world than bad? If, so what will you do to help?

Like Gandhi said, "Be the change in the world you would like to see happen". There are public access community television that allows people to make shows that can be done for the good.

Mass media is owned by the rich, greedy and corrupt for the majority. Money is the root to evil and in the business of television captivation of the mind is the start to the soul.

Be aware of the evils and ask what not television can do for you, but what you can do for television! I know, it's a knock off of JFK, but it's a great saying.

People must find the paradigms in what is an excellent show, thus an excellent person. There is no perfect answer, it's all relative.

Can't wait to get a wide-screen plasma or HDTV,

SV

Answer 4

Some shows have been wonderful. The History Channel is one of them. It is educational and has told the truth. Channel 8 showing the Lawrence Welk show and Andre Rieu and his violin and in both cases the entire orchestra and the music just wonderful have been good examples. Animal programs have been very good. Some good reruns are positive, All In The FAmily (Archie Bunker) has been a very funny horrible example of some people.. and entertaining. There was a genujine medium on for at least a year before he died; and it was wonderful. Forensic material has been educational. cooking programs people like. On the other hand some of what's shown depicts the limited mentality forced on thepublic, because dare venture out of it and you're kicked down. Some of the shoot em up programs, everyone breaking the law, rough tough stuff is a waste of time and a bore. Sex on tv is bore that does not belong there. TV could be much better used.

Answer 5

Without tv,computers, and phs we might start working better together and on our nation's problems . We could begin at home and parents would have time for their kids instead of letting them raise themselves which has resulted in the mixed up kids we have now that will be our nation's future leaders!Just think if the gov't would spend their time on solving problems instead of making tv a place for Q & A and flying around using our natural resources for nonsense trips and that costs the taxpayer. Let a single mom in there and the budget would get cut, but good..We still don't know who to trust after billions are spent on their tv,computer and enormous balls and dinner campaigns!( Spend that money on our starving kids).Way back when the people voted with only word of mouth info and in-person-debates/rallies the results were more postive. So where has the tv helped us? WE don't keep our homes, yards, kids, and jobs as well because we are addicted to the electronics. I believe that the cell ph is making a problem with trusting our family and friends. Folks are always checking up and seeing where someone is and just talking, even if they are with someone else! Trust that person to go to the store or run errands! ok I will stop now.

Answer 6

Because we'd never watch it if it was all decent, educational, and useful.

Because TV is an easy escape from day to day problems & stresses. Human nature is such that it's tempting to want to lose oneself in TV than deal with real people, social situations, or thinking.

In a way it's a kind of addiction. Reminding people there is a life away from the TV or the video games isn't enough. And our American culture does tend to reward laziness and selfishness, so we're not even teaching the kids better habits.

Answer 7

I think you thoughts on this is very profound. I myself read this and thought that I am one of those happy idiots that you are speaking of. I get so caught up with working a full time job and being a full time single parent that I enjoy jumping out of my reality and into someone Else's in a movie. On the other hand I don't allow my children much time on the boob tube unless it is educational. I don't need their reality any more distorted than it will already be growing up in today's society.

Answer 8

Started watching TV on a 12' DuMont.
Since then TV has become an outlet for more than black & white cartoons.
TV has made the world a better place, or at least better informed.
World events as they happen.
Lots of great programming.
Lots of choices.
One thing has'nt changed.
TVs still come with a channel selector & off switch.

Answer 9

Philosophy is for people who think they are smarter than other people. A lot of philosophy is outdated and tends to just be a philosopher who is full of themself. To argue its better than TV isn't necessarily a good stance to take. Those who criticize television tend to forget the enormous amount of good it does. It's not TV that is making people stupid, it's just that it speeds up stupidity in stupid people. Instead of watching fluffy dramas, they could turn on a different channel and actually learn something.

Answer 10

It's all about the money. Whatever gets the ratings gets the advertising dollars. While I agree with you, the sad truth is the majority of people want something other than morally educational entertainment.