Is One Month With No Television Really Possible?

The Guardian:

Finish work, eat, slump, channel flick, sleep. Most of my evenings followed this pattern until my partner took the drastic action of cutting the plug off the TV, brandishing it wildly like the scalp of a confounding enemy.

I was initially horrified - "I need the telly for work!" "Gok Wan is not work" "He is! He's part of the zeitgeist! I'm a writer and I need to be connected" - but giving up television was a smart decision.

Instead of restricting our conversations to what needs cleaning, who is doing what at the weekend and "Where did you put the thing?", we have talked more about what makes us happy, where we want our lives to be and taken the time to listen to each other. I can't remember the last time we had a row. Living in Brighton meant we could make the most of the late summer evenings and started taking long walks along the seafront. I can't say it has made me much fitter, but it has made me feel healthier.

Read the whole story: The Guardian

Comments

[ndem]

I have not watched television since 1984 when Luke married Laura (General Hospital?)...not since I was a freshman in college...why is it so hard to turn off and where do people find all this time to watch? Listen to some music talk to your kids...throw away the tv!!!!

[Badbone]

I few years ago I was going through an extended unemployment. Cutting back on all bills meant cutting cable as well. And with no reception, might as well sell the TV as well. Best decision I ever (was forced) to make. I have so much more time, and I simply enjoy my life more.

Of course, it's not all roses. "Mad men" is a show on TV, eh? Didn't know that. Not having TV can be a bit isolating, socially. It's amazing how much a part of our lives it is, even when we aren't watching! Quite eye opening, really.

[JScott]

I've found less and less to watch, now it's mostly news, and lately the music channels that basic cable gives me, the TV functions more like a radio now (and no commercials-oops maybe it's more like muzak) plus there's more interesting stuff on the internet.

[ecurreywilson]

What a great story! I had a similar experience without television. I was addicted to TV when I was pregnant and didn't want my child to be hooked on it, too. I wrote a book about it called "The Big Turnoff."

You said that after being away from television, you found better things to do with your time and are now more particular about the things you watch. That's the way it is with my family, too.

I hope others will be inspired by your story. One month away from the set is an eye-opening experience and more fun than it sounds!

Thanks for writing.
Ellen Currey-Wilson

[StatueOfLiberal]

Wow, I know this will sound holier-than-thou, but I go every month without TV. I've never had cable. I know that most people do watch, but I know several other people like me who don't watch any TV. It's not like it's celibacy or something. I thought it was common knowledge that TV pretty much sucked.

[shamaniceconomist]

My experiment in living without cable for a month had broadly similar results, that is, life became more interesting. http://www.rickaster.com/world/cablefree.html