Still alive, or Nielsen and I
I haven't posted here in awhile. I keep meaning to do some sort of a summation of summer type post. Not that's particularly thrilling, but I would like to remember and record thses experiences. In the meantime, this is xposted from my Facebook.
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I am no longer able to use the bumper sticker "Kill Your Television". Not only do I watch tv, I have cable.
Still I was somewhat bemused to receive a postcard announcing that we had been selected as a "Nielsen Household". They were "quite pleased to announce" that we" had been chosen to participate". I heard of Nielsen Households and Nielsen Ratings, but I thought they were largely apocryphal; an urban legend. Well they are *real*. You gotta wonder at the criteria. How did we make the cut?
We don’t really watch top 20 type shows. The boys watch Cartoon Network, or variations of ESPN. Comedy Central is pretty popular. We do heart the Spongebob, and CNN. Somedays, there’s not much difference between the two. I tape shows like Nurse Jackie” or Penn and Teller. I get the occasional mood to sit and veg in front of the tv for a couple of hours. The DVR was created for people like me. In the winter, I will watch Lost. What could the Nielsen folks glean from us?
So they are going to send me a “large blue and white” packet with instructions and a log. Wait a sec. Do I need one more Thing to Keep Up? I haven’t agreed yet. What’s in it for me? Monetary reimbursement is good. Do Nielsen Households get paid? The postcard doesn’t mention this. What about power? Power is good. Can I help influence the television habits of the American public? I’m not above manipulating systems to achieve my goals. Down with Fox reality shows! As a representative of the American tv watching public, I do not watch these shows, nor do I purchase the sponsoring products! PBS and A&E for everyone!
Like I watch those channels........