2006-07-22 04:25:22 · 22 answers · asked by crazypumpkin 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Good question. The key is learning to read and to watch TV with a critical, thinking, reasoned, open mind. In some ways it is easier to do that while reading because you are not as easily influenced by innuendo, body language and facial expression, voice inflection, and charisma. These are things that humans are highly receptive to and influenced by. With reading you just have the words and your own mind. Personally, I watch TV less than 5 or 6 hours a week just so I can do my own thinking without the intellectual pollution. However, I would not want to eliminate television completely because it has the potential to be a great tool to inform quickly, to entertain, and to present many viewpoints. It is regretful that so many watch it without thinking and are influenced by it so very easily. So, yes, I'd say more reading and less television would improve the world.
2006-07-22 04:50:40 · answer #1 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I believe yes that is possible - as reading is interactive with thoughts, words and imagination - creating what you are reading in your mind and relating it to your existing knowledge and expanding on it. TV as well, can expand your existing knowledge - but it is more passive and most of the time more entertaining... not drawing upon as much interaction as far as your brain -- plus much of TV is truly entertainment - or violence and other things...that once your brain records - did you know the effect on your brain and body is the same as experiencing these horrifying views or attacks? So yes, I believe people would be more interactive with each other, less tense and violent in their interactions, and more able to think creatively about problems and solutions in their own life. I personally try to make a point to watch shows that are uplifting, knowledge increasing (ie religous TV shows, History Channel, Discovery Channel, Food Network ... with yes, I'll admit - some TV news and "reality TV shows" thrown in for "entertainment") ... it is an addictive part of our lives.
2006-07-22 04:36:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on what they are reading.
But certainly even the lowest forms of writing
makes the reader engage with the text, forces them to
interpret and use their mind.
Really people could benefit if they taught:
sociology, world religion, philosophy, identity theory, political science, psychology, anthropolgy, and nutrition in High School-- but they don't and people lose interest in reading because they aren't interested by what they think is out there-- petty novels that are crafted to waste time sitting on a chaise under an umbrella.
2006-07-22 06:05:33 · answer #3 · answered by -.- 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Though I am myself in favour of books as opposed to television, I don't really think so. There are enough crap books as it is, and nothing is to stop crap TV producers from writing some books. Then the same people would be reading those books.
The world is as it is not because of television but because of the people that live in it, and only a minor part of them are as they are because of television.
I, personally, read a lot but I am not sure this has made me a BETTER person. More educated maybe but that's only a tiny bit...
2006-07-22 04:36:33 · answer #4 · answered by Rachelgoose 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We would have a different world. One where people talked about what they read vs what they watched on TV.
2006-07-22 04:33:14 · answer #5 · answered by Matthew F 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think if we did unto others as we would have them do unto us, we would have a better world. You would be amazed at the responses I get just from being kind to people, smile at people you don't know, say high when you make eye contact even if you don't know them. Just plain be nice, that is all it takes. ,,,and, try to respect other peoples beliefs. We are all not the same but we are all the same, Think about that.
2006-07-22 04:45:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
TV is garbage. And people know it, but they're addicted to it. When people go home from work, most of them go straight in front of their television and see what movie or show is on.
I guess there's nothing better to do than watch TV.
2006-07-22 04:28:15 · answer #7 · answered by dewdropinn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do both... but I think TV can be harmful because you don't have to have any imagination to watch TV, everything is shown to you. On the other hand, when you're reading a book, you have to imagine what you're reading. And TV is overkill... the news takes one topic and does it over and over and over...
2006-07-22 04:29:49 · answer #8 · answered by lachicadecafe 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Should do both. Compare. Most newspapers and media are liberal. Then watch FOXNEWS - especially Neil Cavuto, John Gibson, and most especially Brit Hume. Here, in EST, they are on 4-7p.m. Make up your own mind.
2006-07-22 04:30:53 · answer #9 · answered by TheHumbleOne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, I think there would be more unemployed people if people did that. The world was not that great before television was invented.
2006-07-22 04:28:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋