Sports, American Idol, Cartoons. What type of knowledge do you get out of watching these type of shows? I understand the entertainment value, but how about the large majority who watch this type of crap all the time. Isn't knowledge the true wealth in life? It seems to me, if anything, television has transformed most of our American society into mind numbing couch potatoes. What do you think?
2007-05-17 10:53:28 · 12 answers · asked by Jason Vanderkoff 2 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
At that given instant at home, which is where Americans are the majority of their free time, the easiest form of entertainment to have is just flipping on the TV. People are motivated by attaining whatever is most pleasurable. For the majority of people, it's more pleasurable to watch something entertaining on TV than to watch something on TV that provides knowledge.
Most people aren't even aware how trapped they've become by these mindless shows they come back to over and over again anyways. It's the instant gratification, the constant flow of passive entertainment that keeps people hooked.
2007-05-17 11:05:56 · answer #1 · answered by Adam L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes- but that is because most people don't know what the purpose of life is. It is not even for acquiring mundane knowledge. Real knowledge is to know our true self beyond this material body IE; race, color, nationality, job, religion, mind, intellect, etc.We are eternal spirit souls, part and parcel of the Supreme Soul also known as Krishna, Allah, Jehovah, Vishnu, etc. This world is called Maya (illusion and is temporary and full of misery, only one fourth of the souls come here The rest are enjoying blissful eternal loving relationships with The Supreme Lord where there is no more suffering. If one wants to attain true knowledge and know their true higher self beyond all this nonsense- chanting the Maha Mantra is the best means for self realizations and true happiness. for info go to harekrishnatemple.com Read Bhagavad Gita as it is By Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada- tells how. I love spending my time chanting. It is all worth wile
2007-05-17 11:07:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes with all the stress in our lives it's nice to just watch something mind numbing. I do think that young people have become anti social with video games, television and internet. People need to get outside more and socialize more often rather than turning into couch potatoes.I guess that's why there is so much obesity in our country.
2007-05-17 11:09:14 · answer #3 · answered by vanhammer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep, a couch potato society to be sure. But to be fair, many people use television as escapism...they have no interest in learning from it...they just want to relax and unwind. But if you did a statistical analysis, I'm certain you would find a correlation between intelligence and the television shows people choose to watch...
2007-05-17 11:08:49 · answer #4 · answered by Super Ruper 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
television is not designed as a learning tool, unless you have specialty channels, but even then should one be going to the television as a source of education? television is entertainment and nothing more and people would rather watch a comedy than live in one. today it is hard to find something to truly relate to and television offers that. its is story telling with pictures and its easier than a book. as far as the rehash of the same old programming just redressed to look intriguing, well lets just say if you have seen it once you have seen it a hundred times.
2007-05-17 11:54:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Simple pleasures for simple people. But, there a few shows that I consider to be a work of art more-so than just some mind numbing waste of time. Great tool to pass the time and relax.
2007-05-17 11:09:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree for the most part with you point of view.
I had not watched TV for 12 years before 911 I occasionally do now as my partner has cable and I do enjoy the documentaries and National geographic.and an occasional biography show.
The best answer that came to me years ago was HABIT. They grew up like that and the beat goes on. Rare is the occasion when a person really shifts out of neutral and starts to drive their own life choosing their own route.
Sounds like you shifted good for you!!!!
2007-05-17 11:05:07 · answer #7 · answered by MuseumGirl48 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You want the truth? It's because the majority of our population are simple-minded people with little regard for quality entertainment.
2016-05-22 00:01:26 · answer #8 · answered by salome 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you have it right. It is worse then that. It has not numbed their minds but rather has conditioned them to the social norm to a level way beyond what could be expected without such a constant barrage of propaganda.
2007-05-17 11:07:37 · answer #9 · answered by Michael M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I watch TV to relax no learn something.
2007-05-17 11:01:15 · answer #10 · answered by Tanya :] 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋