Does television lower people's IQ!!?

Question

I think, it does.

Answer 1

actually what they watch lowers a person's IQ...yesterday I watched A Shot With Tila Tequila, and I dropped 50 points...

Answer 2

I think it depends on how much you watch & what you watch. If you watch it once in a while and only educational programs then no. But if you watch it all the time (even educational programs like discovery or the history channel), I think its a means to 'check out' for the day and not have to really think about anything for a few hours, in which case if all you do is work, eat, and watch TV, you are certainly not enhancing your IQ no matter what you watch!

Answer 3

The dumbing down of humanity is represented by a shift which occurs in the brain when we watch television. Activity in the higher brain regions (such as the neo-cortex) is diminished, while activity in the lower brain regions (such as the limbic system) increases. The latter, commonly referred to as the reptile brain, is associated with more primitive mental functions, such as the "fight or flight" response. The reptile brain is unable to distinguish between reality and the simulated reality of television. To the reptile brain, if it looks real, it is real. Thus, though we know on a conscious level it is "only a film," on a conscious level we do not--the heart beats faster, for instance, while we watch a suspenseful scene. Similarly, we know the commercial is trying to manipulate us, but on an unconscious level the commercial nonetheless succeeds in, say, making us feel inadequate until we buy whatever thing is being advertised--and the effect is all the more powerful because it is unconscious, operating on the deepest level of human response. The reptile brain makes it possible for us to survive as biological beings, but it also leaves us vulnerable to the manipulations of television programmers. This is where the manipulators use our own emotions as strings to control us. The distortions and directions we are being moved to are taking place in the subconscious, often undetected.

Propaganda techniques were first codified and applied in a scientific manner by journalist Walter Lippman and psychologist Edward Bernays (nephew of Sigmund Freud) early in the 20th century. During World War I, Lippman and Bernays were hired by then United States President, Woodrow Wilson, to participate in the Creel Commission, the mission of which was to sway popular opinion in favor of entering the war, on the side of Britain. Edward Bernays said in his 1928 book Propaganda that, "The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country."

Government researched and found just the right freguency rate for TV screen's in order to put people in a relaxed alpha state that's more receptive to things like subliminal pictures that can be implanted for not only product manufacturers but by our government to control our minds. This in itself would dumb down anyone, which is what our government wants: a half-asleep satisfied consummerist working class that accepts whatever is going on and won't protest.

TV is a perception management tool. It's the 'boob tube' and it controls the masses via very carefully filtered information keeping a duped and deceived populace in check to serve at the pleasure of the plutocratic US government.

Bush's presidential election was a great success for our government, because most of the fools still think the outcome had something to do with voting. They've already returned to their television sets for further training, so the fact that they have no money or freedom and their children are being sent to die will soon make perfect sense to them.

It's all very easy once you're in control of the news. Goebbels knew that if you could CONTROL THE INFORMATION that's available to a population, you could CONTROL THE MIND OF A NATION, and this lesson from Nazi Germany has been perfected in America today. Most of the programming on television today is run and programming by the largest media corporations that have interests in defense contracts, such as Westinghouse (CBS), and General Electric (NBC). This makes perfect sense when you see how slanted and warped the news is today. Examining the conflicts of interest is merely glancing at the issue, although to understand the multiple ways that lies become truth, we need to examine the techniques of brain washing that the networks are employing.

Answer 4

No, shopping at Wal-mart and listening to country music does, although the public school system doesn't help either.

I think we're born smart, and get "dumbed down" along the way.

Sad but true!

My daughter is sharp for 3, she can remember faces and actors in various movies, and even remembers the character's name in that movie. I don't have a clue sometimes, but she does. I guess I have enough crap on my mind...

I don't think TV has anything to do with changing our IQ. It relates to how fast you learn, retain, and utilize information which you just learned, or were taught briefly.

I agree completely on the attention span comment!

Answer 5

No, IQ's basically stay constant once you reach adulthood. I have watched a lot of TV and my IQ is the same as it was in high school over 20 years ago.

Answer 6

Having worked in the industry (in Advertising) I can tell you that most of television is set to the comprehension level of a 12 year old - even educational shows. That is most programs are designed to be easily understood, and so are not mentally challenging. So if you are an adult looking for mental stimulation, you won't find it there.

Answer 7

Depends on what you watch. I think it may make you more intelligent if you watch enriching programs. If you watch crappy reality television only, I can't see how it would raise your IQ BUT! I don't think it can be lowered just by watching.

Answer 8

I think it depends on what your watching.

Spending time watching junk, decreases your time that you could be learning and reading.

However, I like to watch a lot of History channel, Discovery Channel, TLC channel, etc... And I think what I've watched and learned has increased my knowledge. It's obvious when talking to people. Especially the history channel. Learning all the dates and names. Makes for a good Jeapordy game!

Answer 9

I guess the electric waves do damage neurons at some level, but people are the main reason their IQs are low.

I you wanna get smart, then read! Learn! Stop blaming the TV, people!!!

Answer 10

Television generally panders to our baser instincts, and most advertising to those who were drummed out of the 7th grade.