(This essay appeared in my column JUSTIFIED.)
Television keeps the masses occupied. What if everyone decided they wanted to make something of their lives? Television keeps the competition down and keeps more criminals off the street. What if everyone decided to go to law school or medical school? It would sure make it tough on the rest of us---Jim Urbanovich, author
I was never a T.V. baby. I mean, I grew up not watching T.V. or very little T.V. if at all. Not that I grew up pecuniarily disadvantaged to be totally deprived of the comforts of modern living. My family had the usual entertainment gadgets in vogue at the time like VHS player, stereos and the like.
This aversion to the boob tube is not really self-imposed. Almost everybody around me watches TV so it is impossible for me not to be influenced by them. It is just that TV watching has never been my habit. (If truth be told, for some it is not just a habit but an addiction.) The very rare occasions I get to watch TV are when I am in public places such as in restaurants, airport terminals or in other people's homes/rooms.
Growing up, my parents did not forbid me and my brother from taking to the "blue-eyed babysitter." But my parents themselves very seldom watch TV so we kids imbibed the habit.
I could remember when I was in high school and even through college and law school when my classmates and schoolmates would talk about this and that show---all of which, naturally, I totally had no idea. I would merely stare at them (but guess who graduated valedictorian, nyahahaha) like they were talking in Greek or Arabic (no offense to Greeks and Arabs). Despite that, I never felt out of place. For me then, as it is today, talking about boob tube stuff was not much a productive use of time and not good staple for conversations.
I used to classify people under three categories: A, B and C, in that order. The "A" people talk about ideas. The "B" people talk about things. The "C" people talk about other people. I classified talking about TV stuff under category "B". Of course, I wanted to be under category "A".
All these may not be bad after all. Growing up not watching television has developed my love for reading. Whenever this substitution crosses my mind, I am reminded of famous comedian Groucho Marx who said: "I find television to be very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go in the other room and read a book." Well, the same thing with me.
Lately, however, I catch myself watching more and more television. I don't know what this syndrome is called: maybe making up for all the decades of being TV-deprived, although I never felt it was a deprivation. Or perhaps TV is just the most common and pervasive means of getting information nowadays. It's definitely more accessible than browsing the Net and less cumbersome than reading the newspapers. The last two I still do despite my increased exposure to the boob tube.
Whereas before I consider television and TV watching negatively, I now see both in a more or less neutral manner. But just like all things neutral, the aforementioned medium could be used either positively or negatively. TV watching may distract you from doing more productive pursuits. The same medium may also be used to perpetuate misconceptions and distorted perceptions. Being bombarded with all those commercials will surely turn your noggin to mush.
Whatever may be my current perception on TV watching, you still can't force me to watch Wowowee or Marimar or whatever show Willie Revillame is on. Peksman.
Growing up, my parents did not forbid me and my brother from taking to the "blue-eyed babysitter." But my parents themselves very seldom watch TV so we kids imbibed the habit.
I could remember when I was in high school and even through college and law school when my classmates and schoolmates would talk about this and that show---all of which, naturally, I totally had no idea. I would merely stare at them (but guess who graduated valedictorian, nyahahaha) like they were talking in Greek or Arabic (no offense to Greeks and Arabs). Despite that, I never felt out of place. For me then, as it is today, talking about boob tube stuff was not much a productive use of time and not good staple for conversations.
I used to classify people under three categories: A, B and C, in that order. The "A" people talk about ideas. The "B" people talk about things. The "C" people talk about other people. I classified talking about TV stuff under category "B". Of course, I wanted to be under category "A".
All these may not be bad after all. Growing up not watching television has developed my love for reading. Whenever this substitution crosses my mind, I am reminded of famous comedian Groucho Marx who said: "I find television to be very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go in the other room and read a book." Well, the same thing with me.
Lately, however, I catch myself watching more and more television. I don't know what this syndrome is called: maybe making up for all the decades of being TV-deprived, although I never felt it was a deprivation. Or perhaps TV is just the most common and pervasive means of getting information nowadays. It's definitely more accessible than browsing the Net and less cumbersome than reading the newspapers. The last two I still do despite my increased exposure to the boob tube.
Whereas before I consider television and TV watching negatively, I now see both in a more or less neutral manner. But just like all things neutral, the aforementioned medium could be used either positively or negatively. TV watching may distract you from doing more productive pursuits. The same medium may also be used to perpetuate misconceptions and distorted perceptions. Being bombarded with all those commercials will surely turn your noggin to mush.
Whatever may be my current perception on TV watching, you still can't force me to watch Wowowee or Marimar or whatever show Willie Revillame is on. Peksman.
1 comment:
It's hard to get away from TV, whether you are high-brow or low-brow. TV has been there since we grew up, it's been part of our culture. I even think that now we are way past the issue of holding it in contempt and blaming MTV for degenerating our generation. I think, like beauty, it still depends on the beholder. With the rise cable tv, we've been given a vast of choices. There's internet, the more interesting and interactive version but hardly different from TV. Whether we like it or not, we are shaped and influenced by these media including the fact that you prefer books or them preferring Wowowee or she who cancels a hot date so as not to miss the latest soap.
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