How many here would commit to selling/destroying their telly?

[Mairead]

How many here believe that television offers anything worth the time spent watching it?

How many here believe that watching television is better, on balance, than not watching television?

How many here would commit to getting rid of their telly (virtually if not physically) and spending the time figuring out how to do political organising instead?

How many here don't understand why I'm asking?

[mike_c]

1. did that years ago-- I cannot imagine having a TV in my house....

Ugh. The plug in drug.

[hlthe2b]

2. already sold my "good one."

The remaining one (with built in VCR) remains gathering dust. I cut off the cable two months ago. If something news worthy came on I could get enough signal with external antenna to pick up the big three networks, I suppose. But, so far I haven't tried. I keep it only because I wouldn't get anything for it and I still will put on an exercise tape occasionally, or hook up a dvd player to it.

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. My telly is not my plug in drug anymore. My computer is.

[Beaver Tail]

4. I could get Rid of the telly easily

but my wife would kill me...

[progressivebydesign]

5. I watch 2 to 3 hours a week of decorating or cooking shows.

That's it. I have not TOUCHED broadcast TV in years... I have not watched TV news in years (the only exception was coverage of 9/11 ON 9/11. I have zero use for talking heads, plastic bimbos, or faux reality shows. No need to blow up my tv, as it's rarely on.

[Ron Green]

6. I use the machine itself (a big HD flat screen Sony)

to watch rented movies in my little home theatre. I also do a lap around the channels once a week to monitor the feed to the masses. Once in a while there's a good classic movie on the "no commercials" channel.

[glitch]

7. I would miss C-span and my science shows. And movies.

The key is to leave it off, read the program guides and turn it on only when there is something worth viewing.
Having it on and searching for something to watch because you are bored or tired is the big mistake.
The TV, like the telephone (all calls are screened here), is your tool, not vice versa.

[Kolesar]

8. I sometimes put the tv on at 10 pm to put me to sleep

I like your ideas, though. After a period of reading the internet, I check the program guide at www.zap2it.com , then lay on the sofa and zone out.

[KarenInMA]

9. sorry...need espn and Law and Order reruns.

not ashamed about it either...

[bleedingheart]

10. I got rid of extended cable a long time ago....so I only pay the minimum

and guess what...I am happier...I read more, have taken up sewing and do more in my garden...

[Beelzebud]

11. I have a TV, but it is only used for DVD's at this point.

I have not watched any television since November of last year. None.

I don't even watch Daily Show on TV anymore, I find places to download it. The only useful purpose my TV serves, is to watch DVD's on. I still like movies.

TV is mind-control.

[RaleighNCDUer]

12. Sorry,

but I live for those cheesy movies on SciFi channel every saturday night.

Obviously, I have no life.

[bleedingheart]

13. Hope you don't mind I created a sister thread regarding the cost of cable

because I like my TV to watch my movies like Pride and Prejudice...I have those on DVD...
but otherwise I think it is nothing but crap.

[Contrary1]

14. Have to keep mine...

About the only time it's on lately is when the hubby is watching the Golf Channel.
But then, once the next season of Deadwood starts, I won't be able to resist.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

15. The TV at my place is almost exclusively for the tykes to watch

Discovery Kids. Sometimes I watch the news or some sports. Could be worse.

[Scout1071]

16. Sorry, much like the NRA stance, you'll have to pry this remote out of

my cold, dead hands.

[AngryAmish]

17. Where else will I see my football games and golf tournaments?

[DinahMoeHum]

18. The main reason I use my TV nowadays is to watch movies and such

using my DVD unit or my VHS tape unit.

Other than that, I rarely spend more than an hour each day with it.

[RebelOne]

19. I couldn't give up my TV.

Mainly, I watch Home Shopping Network and QVC. I can't give up my shopping channels. And how would I watch my DVDs that I rent from NetFlix?

[K-W]

20. I have a symbiotic relationship with my TV.

I think seperation would probably kill me.

[hunter]

21. Easily 95% of our television viewing is DVD.

The other five percent is spanish language news, CSPAN, the BBC, and occasionally German news. We may watch "The West Wing" when it starts up again, but we don't watch any other series.

Mostly we have "basic cable" for houseguests. Watching our guests flip through our very small selection of local broadcasters was too painful.

[imperialismispasse]

22. I admit I like Sportcenter and The Daily Show

but I still find the time to get political activism done too. It doesn't have to be either/or does it?

[jane_pippin]

23. I have a love/hate thing going with my tv.

So no, I will not commit to getting rid of it but I understand why one would want to.

In some cases you can find innovative and interesting things (C-Span, Adult Swim, Daily Show, Bill Maher,) and in other cases you can catch the lying bastards in the act (Wolf, Tweety, Katie Matt Al and Ann, the administration and minions, etc.).

I also like to be aware of the scores of inane shows on the TV because I like to know what popular crap people like these days and what corporate nimrods are peddling as entertainment. It helps (sometimes) in getting jokes from my favorite comedians, too.

Basically, I just like to know what's going on pop-culture wise so when it pisses me off I'll actually know what I'm yelling about.

Just my 2 cents.

[Callalily]

24. Can't quite give it up

Football season is upon us, and I must admit to playing on-line video games. That's about it though.

[Samurai_Writer]

25. Did that 5 years ago

Only watch DVDs now. Haven't watched network or cable TV in five years, and am better for it.

[pointblank]

26. Not me

I love:

The Daily Show

South Park

Rescue Me

The Sopranos (when its on)

The History Channel

The Discovery Channels

Sci-Fi (Twilight Zone and Battlestar Galactica reruns)

Movies, Movies, Movies

And of course Faux news for my comedy relief.



No way I could give it up.



Laugh all you want, but I pay $140.00 a month to my cable company.

I have:

4 digital boxes.

1 Digital Video recorder (DVR) box

ALL movie channels including free use of HBO, Cinemax, Starz and Showtime On-demand movies and shows.

Extended Family pack including Discovery Times, Discovery Science, History International etc.

Fastest speed of cable internet available.


Yes, it is outrageous. No, I couldn't live without it. It is my crack.

[Initech]

27. I watch DVDs.

In fact, the only reason I havent pulled the plug on my satellite box yet is watching the Daily Show.

But yeah, I think that many of us destroying our TVs would send a big "fuck you" to the corporate whore media.

[Dora]

28. We don't own one.

Lost ours in a burglary, and decided not to replace it.

It's hard not to be zealous about my anti-tv sentiments.

[La Coliniere]

29. If it would really make a difference in the political reality

in this country, I'd give it up now and forever. That would mean that most of my fellow citizens must do so as well.
TV is a guilty pleasure for me:
Turner Classic Movies
HBO-movies, docs and series like "Curb your Enthusiasm" and "Sporanos"
C-SPAN, especially BookTV
PBS (or what's left of it)
I see the tube as a tool for continuing my education first, entertainment as second.
However, I DO see the tube as a rather sinister force used for social/cultural control in the most subliminal (but just as often not so hidden) and diabolic ways by the ruling elite.
Unfortunately, most people aren't able to guard themselves against the influencing forces of corporate and governmental propaganda and domination.
Yes, turning it off and tossing it out would be good for everyone, for the health of us all AND the planet, I reckon.

[Telly Savalas]

30. 95% of television is utter dreck.

But 95% of film and 95% of print material is total dreck as well, so why single TV out as the enemy?

Spending all one's time doing political organizing sounds like a recipe for burnout to me. Life is about balance, and for many of us catching a game on the tube as a means of relaxing is part of that balance.

[newyawker99]

31. I love watching TV and I am not tempted to watch

the news channels. There is always something
interesting on TV. I haven't watched a news
show in the past 3 years.

:-)

[mmonk]

32. It wouldn't change anything

I don't watch newscasts except local coverage by pure accident. I watch no ABC,NBC,MSNBC,CNN,Faux, etc.