There was a book out in the seventies entitled ' Four Arguments For The Elimination of Television ' by Jerry Mander. I remember him stating that while watching the T.V. Young children ( I suppose Adults also) went into an Alpha Brainwave state due to the flickering light of the cathode ray tub. I don't know what the effect there is of the new LCD or plasma screens. The Alpha state can put people into a highly receptive frame of mind, Thats why they call the content PROGRAMING. They had TV before the second world war but waited until after WW2 to bring it out as a means to market desire and product.
There is some suggestion that the new sets have very small cameras built into the monitor just as most newer computers have a hidden microphones in them to monitor the ambient sounds in your home. Goggle can listen in on what music you listen to so they can market to your tastes and demographic.
This might be of interest to you regarding the new digital television.
http://educate-yourself.org/lte/HDtv...a12apr08.shtml
and
http://www.fourwinds10.com/siterun_d...p?q=1229966425
and
http://www.godlikeproductions.com/fo...sage699338/pg1