TV Addiction

[Phoenix]

One of the many addictions that have become "socially acceptable" in our backwards society: TV Addiction.

I love my family; I care deeply for them. As it's been said several thousands of times on PA, it feels like :frusty: trying to get our loved ones to listen to us and wake up to the reality around them. Makes me think of Plato's Cave...

Specifically, for our loved ones who are transfixed by glowing boxes (phone, TV or computer, etc), especially the older ones (adults) who "do what they want," what can be done? Any methods that worked?

¤=[Post Update]=¤

For starters, I've tried the following:


Inviting them to do activities outside
Telling them the dangers of too much TV
Talking to them while they are watching the TV
Suggest to play a board game


I usually get responses filled with rolled eyes.
And the worst option for me is when I just give up and leave them alone...

[spiritguide]

Take them camping with all cell phones left behind. A week off with no electronics might give you a platform with nature helping. Show them how to rough it and the gear you accumulate for this can be used for emergencies if needed.

:peace:

[Kryztian]

As I get involved more and more in the truth movement, I find myself unable and uninterested in television. I guess I've been mind controlled all my life and now that the veil is lifting, I just can not find anything of interested in television.

If you slowly make your family more aware of how manipulative television is (mostly turning us into consumers and making us live in fear) then maybe they will also loose interest.

[Mark]

For children, do the above. Take them into nature. Make it normal for them to spend time outside. Regulate electronic activity. Help them learn to appreciate the outdoors. Keep them apprised of what is going on in the world. Explain the illusions when they ask about them and they will. Honor their questions with honest answers even when it is "I dont know". Impress upon them to always look beneath the surface. Cultivate their spiritual understanding. Treat them as equals, not children.

The key to all of the above is to do it slowly. Do not push too hard, make it natural.

Then, if at some point they decide to watch less tv than they have even been alotted, it will be their decision.

The above also works for teen and adults, with the caveat that their programming is deeply engrained, so their deprogramming will have to be done either very subtly or utilizing the methodologies of cult-deprogramming, which amounts to a sledgehammer approach.

[Mark (Star Mariner)]

That's a hard one. I mean I watched a lot of TV growing up, most kids do, and I only changed when I woke up to what TV was all about:

60% - Brain sedation... sleep-inducing, thought-retarding, propaganda-pedaling, light-weight, sugar-coated garbage
30% - Commercials... vacuous, mind-numbing, destroying-my-will-to-live, profit-driven consumer-porn

Which leaves about...
10% decent, thought-provoking productions, in documentary, drama, and entertainment

But you need to know where to look.

[therinkydinktink]

Very good thread (Phoenix) and points (everyone) I'd wondered about this for years as I haven't owned a TV for a very long time and couldn't understand peoples reactions when I told them this (it was like telling them I had some dreadful disease). I couldn't understand what everyone was going on about when they started talking about their 'unmissable' programmes (usually reality trash) and how great they were but upon viewing them for a few minutes myself found them banal and mediocre (quite often insulting in a way). I also think music has gone this way to an extent.
I wonder about other 'addictions' people have these days as well, I personally think Facebook is addictive, I have an account but never really liked it but started logging on regularly when out of work and found myself on it for hours at a time every day, thankfully I caught on to it and have nipped it in the bud.
I also think that more people (certainly in the UK) have an unrecognised alcohol addiction disguised by their reasoning of 'No, I just like a drink that's all!'

[Carmen]

Just take one large hammer, the heavier the better, stand kinda to one side of the tv and swing with force!! Fixes most mind control machines!! Sometimes dramatic action gets the point across!!

[therinkydinktink]

Just take one large hammer, the heavier the better, stand kinda to one side of the tv and swing with force!! Fixes most mind control machines!! Sometimes dramatic action gets the point across!!

Tsk tsk Carmen! Surely we should advocate peaceful protest? Like pouring a jug of water in the back!:rolleyes:

[Carmen]

Nah! I like my quick fix better!! Can't you just see it? It'd be a great shock tactic that just might wake up the wee zombies!!

[pyriel]

Just take one large hammer, the heavier the better, stand kinda to one side of the tv and swing with force!! Fixes most mind control machines!! Sometimes dramatic action gets the point across!!

Tsk tsk Carmen! Surely we should advocate peaceful protest? Like pouring a jug of water in the back!:rolleyes:

pouring a jug of water in the back.... hope before you do that, you unplug it.. :P

[modwiz]

That's a hard one. I mean I watched a lot of TV growing up, most kids do, and I only changed when I woke up to what TV was all about:

60% - Brain sedation... sleep-inducing, thought-retarding, propaganda-pedaling, light-weight, sugar-coated garbage
30% - Commercials... vacuous, mind-numbing, destroying-my-will-to-live, profit-driven consumer-porn

Which leaves about...
10% decent, thought-provoking productions, in documentary, drama, and entertainment

But you need to know where to look.

Whether 10% is of value is in the eye of the beholder. Even if valid, maintaining a subscription is 100% support of a malignancy that is fed with our continued financial input to it. One of the most profound protests we could make is to end our subscriptions, but meaningful protests are a relic of the past after the war in Vietnam and the draft were brought to an end.

Result? The world we have with our full complicity. Verbal protestations noted for the meaningless noise they are.

[Phoenix]

Nah! I like my quick fix better!! Can't you just see it? It'd be a great shock tactic that just might wake up the wee zombies!!

Like this?
http://www.vxv.com/video/9IbsZntr5yCJ/snl-falcon-punch-guy-punches-computer-monitor-after-playing-the-maze-game.html

[Phoenix]

That's a hard one. I mean I watched a lot of TV growing up, most kids do, and I only changed when I woke up to what TV was all about:

60% - Brain sedation... sleep-inducing, thought-retarding, propaganda-pedaling, light-weight, sugar-coated garbage
30% - Commercials... vacuous, mind-numbing, destroying-my-will-to-live, profit-driven consumer-porn

Which leaves about...
10% decent, thought-provoking productions, in documentary, drama, and entertainment

But you need to know where to look.

Whether 10% is of value is in the eye of the beholder. Even if valid, maintaining a subscription is 100% support of a malignancy that is fed with our continued financial input to it. One of the most profound protests we could make is to end our subscriptions, but meaningful protests are a relic of the past after the war in Vietnam and the draft were brought to an end.

Result? The world we have with our full complicity. Verbal protestations noted for the meaningless noise they are.

Beauty/Value is in the eye of the beholder. To say that all TV/movies are not worth the time to watch, nor should they be a part of life in any way, is a difficult ideal to hold. I've learned a lot from shows such as 24 and Prison Break - they unbeknownst to me we're trying to wake the viewers up, subtly showing conspiritorial plots, etc. My favorite movie, Click, taught me immensely about how being successful is an illusion and how family and relationships trump any business.

What about the Internet? Isn't it owned by the military - which's owned by the bankers?

We use it, no?

[Carmen]

Nah! Phoenix, not like that, that's pathetic! No emotional crap involved. Just quietly walk in and fix the damn tv, for good!!

Actually my daughter sold our very old tv on trademe with a $1 reserve. There was a bit of a bidding war and it ended up selling for $24 but we delivered, so probably cost us anyway.

After a month or so she commented "Good thing it was my decision to get rid of the tv!"

I said, "I know"!! Haha

[music]

There is no TV fullstop for our child. He watches one DVD at 5.00 pm if he wants, and that's it. He doesn't always want it. He plays outside with his "animal friends" a lot, and has extremely creative play both when he is alone, and when he is with peers. TV is an easy babysitter, but while making life easier for us, we do our kids no favours by subjecting them to a regimen of brainwashing. Recall the scene in "A Clockwork Orange", where young Alex is strapped to a chair, eyes held open while he is subjected to conditioning that the society of the day finds expedient. This is what we do to our children when we let them watch TV.

edit: oh, and obviously we don't watch any TV, would be hypocritical if we did :)

[modwiz]

That's a hard one. I mean I watched a lot of TV growing up, most kids do, and I only changed when I woke up to what TV was all about:

60% - Brain sedation... sleep-inducing, thought-retarding, propaganda-pedaling, light-weight, sugar-coated garbage
30% - Commercials... vacuous, mind-numbing, destroying-my-will-to-live, profit-driven consumer-porn

Which leaves about...
10% decent, thought-provoking productions, in documentary, drama, and entertainment

But you need to know where to look.

Whether 10% is of value is in the eye of the beholder. Even if valid, maintaining a subscription is 100% support of a malignancy that is fed with our continued financial input to it. One of the most profound protests we could make is to end our subscriptions, but meaningful protests are a relic of the past after the war in Vietnam and the draft were brought to an end.

Result? The world we have with our full complicity. Verbal protestations noted for the meaningless noise they are.

Beauty/Value is in the eye of the beholder. To say that all TV/movies are not worth the time to watch, nor should they be a part of life in any way, is a difficult ideal to hold. I've learned a lot from shows such as 24 and Prison Break - they unbeknownst to me we're trying to wake the viewers up, subtly showing conspiritorial plots, etc. My favorite movie, Click, taught me immensely about how being successful is an illusion and how family and relationships trump any business.

What about the Internet? Isn't it owned by the military - which's owned by the bankers?

We use it, no?

What post did you read? I open mine saying that value is in the eye of the beholder and that 10% may be valid. Your opening line is an odd reply to my almost exact opening.

The internet vs. TV is a no-brainer. We can use the internet to converse, it is two way, and still a place for unregulated information. Even if it is often hard to discern what is what.

I won't even begin to address your other statements about family and relationships as presented on TV. The wreckage from such education is apparent everywhere.

To each his/her own. Clearly this thread is a poor fit for me. I will not sully it with my extreme views any longer. :bolt:

TV as a DVD monitor is an excellent use for a former investment. IMO

[Phoenix]

Nah! Phoenix, not like that, that's pathetic! No emotional crap involved. Just quietly walk in and fix the damn tv, for good!!

Actually my daughter sold our very old tv on trademe with a $1 reserve. There was a bit of a bidding war and it ended up selling for $24 but we delivered, so probably cost us anyway.

After a month or so she commented "Good thing it was my decision to get rid of the tv!"

I said, "I know"!! Haha

Ah the good old "head fake" coined by Randy Pausch.

I think sledgehammering the TV is sadly hacking at the branches, not at the roots (pun intended).

Because if that happened, I assume the zombies would scramble for their computers, phones, newspapers, magazines, gameboys and other crap. So I guess that means sledgehammer the electricity, burn the newspapers and magazines, and recycle all batteries so that no electronics will work :)

[Carmen]

I observe a distinct difference in attitude, abilities and sociability between my grandchildren who have been brought up with tv and those that haven't. The tv addicts do not engage in conversation at all easily. It's a bit like trying to pull teeth getting them to converse, the attention is always on the tv. One in particular has a tremendous natural ability in track and field sports but can't be bothered! Very sad. The tv ones are more likely to be clamouring for 'stuff' they see on television. They are still great kids, just handicapped by tv. The no tv ones, (five of them) have great imaginations and very creative games. They are never bored and can play for hours by themselves. They are very musical and quite accomplished! They do very well at school as they have far more self discipline. I know it's not just no tv but it is a big factor. They also focus on you when conversing. They also have a far greater range of skills even as children. For instance they are great cooks.

[humanalien]

Any more, i watch tv, just for the commercials. At least it feels that way.
Some channels has almost equal commercial time as they do movie time.
A couple of channels have more commercial air time and as a result, the
movie/show, goes past the scheduled allotted time.

Ads on the internet are getting just a bad at times. You reach your desired
web page and right away, your attacked with pop up ads that you have to
click twice on, just to get off that page.

This is getting really ridiculous.

[BrianEn]

People just don`t listen to what`s good for them. I`ve had lots of people trying to talk to me about something, and I just didn`t want to listen. I can tell you they were wasting their time. Now that I`ve had a heart attack, and quit smoking(which is what most people tried to talk to me about.) and changed my diet I don`t go around telling people they should quit smoking and change their diet. All you can really do is set an example and hope others and hope to open the lines of communication.

[Phoenix]

People just don`t listen to what`s good for them. I`ve had lots of people trying to talk to me about something, and I just didn`t want to listen. I can tell you they were wasting their time. Now that I`ve had a heart attack, and quit smoking(which is what most people tried to talk to me about.) and changed my diet I don`t go around telling people they should quit smoking and change their diet. All you can really do is set an example and hope others and hope to open the lines of communication.

This is it. This is what I've resorted to, and it seems to be the most powerful method, albeit slow. When you live your life to your values and morals, people notice this powerful energy. It's an amazing feeling when months or years later you see an old friend and they tell you they started eating better and feel better or they've put a lot of thought into 911, etc. I feel this may be all we can hope to do, seeing as free will must reign.

[BrianEn]

This is it. This is what I've resorted to, and it seems to be the most powerful method, albeit slow. When you live your life to your values and morals, people notice this powerful energy. It's an amazing feeling when months or years later you see an old friend and they tell you they started eating better and feel better or they've put a lot of thought into 911, etc. I feel this may be all we can hope to do, seeing as free will must reign.

The power of example is the most powerful method. You don`t know when people are watching and taking notes.

[grampah]

I sold my used TV in 1987. I'm 80 yrs old so grew up without TV. I've been on computers since the 80's. By daily honing and organizing my huge list of bookmarks, separated to two computers, I can find worthwhile information every day. TV is so predominant in society that I often have not a clue regarding people are referring to, or the language or references they use. Before I gave up TV I also had given up "going to the movies". The hyped dramatization was wasted on me and the propaganda, spin or inaccuracy drove me to get up and leave the last few movies girl friends had invited me to attend. The sound and sight of a TV in a public place is so disturbing to me that if I can I will turn off the sound, move out of range of it or leave. I've noticed in veterans medical facility's waiting areas, 90% are not watching the TV. And I consider myself to have an open mind, enjoying daily the variety on this forum.

[Phoenix]

I sold my used TV in 1987. I'm 80 yrs old so grew up without TV. I've been on computers since the 80's. By daily honing and organizing my huge list of bookmarks, separated to two computers, I can find worthwhile information every day. TV is so predominant in society that I often have not a clue regarding people are referring to, or the language or references they use. Before I gave up TV I also had given up "going to the movies". The hyped dramatization was wasted on me and the propaganda, spin or inaccuracy drove me to get up and leave the last few movies girl friends had invited me to attend. The sound and sight of a TV in a public place is so disturbing to me that if I can I will turn off the sound, move out of range of it or leave. I've noticed in veterans medical facility's waiting areas, 90% are not watching the TV. And I consider myself to have an open mind, enjoying daily the variety on this forum.

90% not watching? Wow, that's great to hear...

Grampah, since you have first hand experience, what do you say is the most drastic change from generations that had TV growing up vs. generations that didn't?

[therinkydinktink]

Just take one large hammer, the heavier the better, stand kinda to one side of the tv and swing with force!! Fixes most mind control machines!! Sometimes dramatic action gets the point across!!

Tsk tsk Carmen! Surely we should advocate peaceful protest? Like pouring a jug of water in the back!:rolleyes:

pouring a jug of water in the back.... hope before you do that, you unplug it.. :P
I'll use a water bomb if it's plugged in.;)

The internet vs. TV is a no-brainer. We can use the internet to converse, it is two way, and still a place for unregulated information. Even if it is often hard to discern what is what.
Agree with that mw, it's what you use it for and how you use it:peace:

[grampah]

re Phoenix query: "the most drastic change from generations that had TV growing up vs. generations that didn't?"

The ability and desire to communicate verbally. We had four kids and I recall clearly that particularly many times the TV absorbed some or all of them. Even though it was
not on when we dined. As they grew into their teen years, their mother became a TV addict, to the point they would kid her about watching a test pattern.

Whereas I recall clearly growing up with a sister, brother, mother and her twin sister, we all spoke of our experiences of the day. We heard tales of the different industries where my mother and aunt worked. We had phone calls and letters frequently from extended family. Being the youngest I became friends or at least could converse with my older siblings friends.

Our own four kids tended to go back to the tube then dash off to do their homework. However I believe they were not as effected as many in the TV generations.
I believe a generalization is fair; they were not as "forthcoming" with their experiences as we had been.

[gripreaper]

re Phoenix query: "the most drastic change from generations that had TV growing up vs. generations that didn't?"

The ability and desire to communicate verbally. We had four kids and I recall clearly that particularly many times the TV absorbed some or all of them. Even though it was
not on when we dined. As they grew into their teen years, their mother became a TV addict, to the point they would kid her about watching a test pattern.

Whereas I recall clearly growing up with a sister, brother, mother and her twin sister, we all spoke of our experiences of the day. We heard tales of the different industries where my mother and aunt worked. We had phone calls and letters frequently from extended family. Being the youngest I became friends or at least could converse with my older siblings friends.

Our own four kids tended to go back to the tube then dash off to do their homework. However I believe they were not as effected as many in the TV generations.
I believe a generalization is fair; they were not as "forthcoming" with their experiences as we had been.

Totally agree. Loss of social skills. Loss of the ability to dialogue with others and reach consensus through discourse. Being able to read others, through eye contact and body language, and being more "self" assured as one's own belief structures are challenged and summarily upgraded to a more synergistic outlook.

This is all lost in the current generation, who walk with their heads down playing with their I-Phones, who can hardly communicate or stay on topic with critical thinking skills.

Amazing.

[Jules]

When I was in junior high, my parents prohibited TV. I could only watch special programs. I was able to watch something on PBS about the human body, but otherwise it was off limits. I was upset about it. I had to find other things to do. I read books, interacted with friends and siblings, walked, wrote, and did artwork. I survived. I could not discuss TV programs with kids at school. I was angry about the decision, but now am thankful, I didn't miss it, and there is more to life. A lot of people don't understand, I now see wasted time watching TV.

[Phoenix]

Awesome. Thanks for the input so far everyone!

¤=[Post Update]=¤





That's a hard one. I mean I watched a lot of TV growing up, most kids do, and I only changed when I woke up to what TV was all about:

60% - Brain sedation... sleep-inducing, thought-retarding, propaganda-pedaling, light-weight, sugar-coated garbage
30% - Commercials... vacuous, mind-numbing, destroying-my-will-to-live, profit-driven consumer-porn

Which leaves about...
10% decent, thought-provoking productions, in documentary, drama, and entertainment

But you need to know where to look.

Whether 10% is of value is in the eye of the beholder. Even if valid, maintaining a subscription is 100% support of a malignancy that is fed with our continued financial input to it. One of the most profound protests we could make is to end our subscriptions, but meaningful protests are a relic of the past after the war in Vietnam and the draft were brought to an end.

Result? The world we have with our full complicity. Verbal protestations noted for the meaningless noise they are.

Beauty/Value is in the eye of the beholder. To say that all TV/movies are not worth the time to watch, nor should they be a part of life in any way, is a difficult ideal to hold. I've learned a lot from shows such as 24 and Prison Break - they unbeknownst to me we're trying to wake the viewers up, subtly showing conspiritorial plots, etc. My favorite movie, Click, taught me immensely about how being successful is an illusion and how family and relationships trump any business.

What about the Internet? Isn't it owned by the military - which's owned by the bankers?

We use it, no?

What post did you read? I open mine saying that value is in the eye of the beholder and that 10% may be valid. Your opening line is an odd reply to my almost exact opening.

The internet vs. TV is a no-brainer. We can use the internet to converse, it is two way, and still a place for unregulated information. Even if it is often hard to discern what is what.

I won't even begin to address your other statements about family and relationships as presented on TV. The wreckage from such education is apparent everywhere.

To each his/her own. Clearly this thread is a poor fit for me. I will not sully it with my extreme views any longer. :bolt:

TV as a DVD monitor is an excellent use for a former investment. IMO

Hey, I was just playing devil's advocate for a minute. All is well.