Need?
I have not owned a TV in about 4 years. When my first son was able to stand and push buttons he started turning the TV in our living room on every time he went in there. He would then watch whatever was on. He would throw a huge fit when my wife or I turned the TV off. We were training him to only watch TV when we allowed him to but shortly after he turned one we moved. It was easy to give the TV away and not get a new one.
Now we are accustomed to not having a TV. We watch television shows via the internet. We like this method as it allows us to avoid most TV commercials. This is especially good when our sons watch a show via the internet.
In class this week a student asked me if I watched a particular show. I'd never even heard of it. I replied that I do not own a TV. He was shocked. Deeply shocked. He said that I need a television. In fact he said I need a TV like I need water.
I doubt the student was being literal but his hyperbole is illuminating. Has TV become so integral to our society that people who do not have one are seen as aberant?
Now we are accustomed to not having a TV. We watch television shows via the internet. We like this method as it allows us to avoid most TV commercials. This is especially good when our sons watch a show via the internet.
In class this week a student asked me if I watched a particular show. I'd never even heard of it. I replied that I do not own a TV. He was shocked. Deeply shocked. He said that I need a television. In fact he said I need a TV like I need water.
I doubt the student was being literal but his hyperbole is illuminating. Has TV become so integral to our society that people who do not have one are seen as aberant?