Not Having a Television
This isn't as unusual as it used to be: lots of people are cutting their
cable, switching to Netflix or Amazon.
We haven't watched television in about 14 years. The last shows we
watched were "Arthur" and "Boohbah" on PBS, because we had a
three-year-old. I got fed up with shows being offered and then
cancelled. The access/subscription fees increase, channels are offered
and then eliminated from packages. There are disadvantages to being
tv-free: crosswords are tougher to fill, conversation topics outside of
television must be ready to supplant the pause after "No, we don't watch
that show."
The longterm absence of TV affects our family relationships too. If my
extended family is anything like the majority, they have a set on for
noise. I find it distracting. I used to set my evening schedule around
television. Then I moved to where my channels weren't available and I
didn't bother with cable.
I do watch television shows, but only the ones available from generous
uploaders. I manage to keep up: the phone tells me what the weather is
like, I subscribe to newsfeeds via RSS or click on some link, hoping
it's not CNN (autoplay video, ugh).
My guests were bored after one day because we had no television to
offer them. We have wifi though, we thought that'd be better, as they
have vaster choice of entertainment. This in addition to showing them
sights and accompanying them on their shopping excursions.
I can't be smug because it's not like the time I spend not watching
television is screen-free, it's just ad-free and more interactive. I
suspect if I watched television for news, I'd feel less alienated from
those who get all their news from television, as newspapers dwindle or
get sold to media conglomerates. What they learn from television is
different from what I read online. Some are reliant on one channel, not
so much for the quality of coverage, but for the adrenalin, dopamine, or
opiate quality, to have their fears and values stroked and validated. It
doesn't matter to them that the channel might not actually be licensed
to deliver real news, so produces infotainment.
As for me, I have only fragments and snippets of video clips amassed
from the news I can stand to read. It's not like my understanding is
much better, it just lacks the opiate quality, and I lack loyalty and
devotion to one newsfeed. I get my adrenalin worked up from news too.
What's sad to me are people who accuse others who don't watch their
channel of watching a certain channel, like there are only two
television news channels in the entire planet, only two perspectives.
The idea that people may be gleaning what's going on from international
sources doesn't occur to them.
What's an introvert to do? Move out of the comfort zone, read up on how
to talk to people beyond their asking "did you see the commercial..."?
Cultivate a variety of hobbies and leisure activities that are
group-oriented and involve leaving the house.