Stepping Down From The Modern World

[poliphilo]

We got rid of our TV. We advertised it on Freecycle and it was gone the same evening. A pleasant young couple from a few streets away walked over and took it. The young man carried it off in his arms.

Will we replace it? Maybe, but not yet.

And why did we do it?  Because silence is golden. Because we'd both rather read books. Because living at my mother's I'm sick of having the hairy bikers roaring at me from the corner of the room, because the BBC pays its managers way too much...

Comments

[endlessrarities.livejournal.com]

Wow. You have achieved enlightenment!! I am in awe.

(Can't do it. Need my mindless brain candy too much!!!)

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

If you want brain candy there's always The Daily Mail.

[puddleshark.livejournal.com]

I've been thinking about getting a telly again. Though I'm not sure I'd watch it much.

I do miss the educational aspects of television... And I think the BBC does still make good history and art history programmes, occasionally, even if they've dumbed down in every other sphere. I no longer look to them, or any other channel, for a balanced coverage of current events.

[artkouros.livejournal.com]

My littlest sister and her husband never watch TV. When I'm at their house I can hear the blood rushing around my ears.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

There are things I enjoy- but there's nothing I consider essential viewing.

The BBC's news coverage is abysmal

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

It's spookily quiet here too.

[wyrmwwd.livejournal.com]

I went for many years without television... about 10, I think. My Partner, however, enjoys it very much, and because of her I have been introduced to some things that I, now, also enjoy. But when she isn't around, I hardly ever watch it, if at all. Plus, we always watch it on our computers. I don't own an actual TV.

Therefore, it is never "just on". Shows have to intentionally sought after. It is not a source of background noise. That is something that drives me, personally, up a tree (just having the tv on with no one actually watching it).

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

There are many things I've enjoyed on TV down the years but I guess I just want a break.

[resonant.livejournal.com]

I haven't had a TV for half my life. Not for any ideological reasons, I just can't find the time to watch one.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

This isn't the first time I've done without. I find I don't miss it when it's not there.

[nineweaving.livejournal.com]

I've never had a TV. The little I do want see turns up eventually, on DVD or online.

Nine

[athenais.livejournal.com]

I also have never owned a television. My husband owns a television and I occasionally go into his "man cave" to watch baseball games or interesting history/nature programs. I won't allow it in any of our other living spaces, so he gets his very own room for it. And knows to shut the door if he's watching anything that has screams or violence in it.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Yes, there are other ways of accessing the product.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Once you allow a TV into your living space it becomes hard to use it sparingly. I grew up in a family culture where the TV went on early evening and stayed on until bedtime.