What is television for?
When I first read about this fabulous invention called "television" on your electrical net, I thought it was kind of a mechanized Punch and Judy show. I imagined that the spectators choose what play they want to see, start the television's sophisticated mechanism and then watch the play - or the news or whatever he wants to see. I thought television was mainly used for entertainment (like theater plays) and information (like newspapers).
But it seems I am wrong - many people seem to use it as "background noise box". A female 21th century friend reported me that many people have the television apparatus running all day long, whether they watch or not. She asked a friend why he leaves the apparatus running, he replied "When it's off, I feel lonely" - which is a bit strange because this man lives with his charming wife, three children, a mistress, three cats and a goldfish. (Ok, ok, I made up the mistress and the third cat but you get the idea.) Other people gave similar responses. It seems that many of your coevals use this apparatus not for entertainment but for having a "background noise".
Personally I don't understand this. I wouldn't support a constantly talking box in my apartments. I once had a mistress like this, talking all the time without saying anything, no matter whether I listened or not. I quit her after one week, I couldn't bear it. Of course, I like background music, like a string quartet during breakfast, but that's not the same as a talking box (or mistress). I'm not saying is a vice to let the TV run all day long, I just can't get it.
So, dear readers, could you please answer me two questions:
When I first read about this fabulous invention called "television" on your electrical net, I thought it was kind of a mechanized Punch and Judy show. I imagined that the spectators choose what play they want to see, start the television's sophisticated mechanism and then watch the play - or the news or whatever he wants to see. I thought television was mainly used for entertainment (like theater plays) and information (like newspapers).
But it seems I am wrong - many people seem to use it as "background noise box". A female 21th century friend reported me that many people have the television apparatus running all day long, whether they watch or not. She asked a friend why he leaves the apparatus running, he replied "When it's off, I feel lonely" - which is a bit strange because this man lives with his charming wife, three children, a mistress, three cats and a goldfish. (Ok, ok, I made up the mistress and the third cat but you get the idea.) Other people gave similar responses. It seems that many of your coevals use this apparatus not for entertainment but for having a "background noise".
Personally I don't understand this. I wouldn't support a constantly talking box in my apartments. I once had a mistress like this, talking all the time without saying anything, no matter whether I listened or not. I quit her after one week, I couldn't bear it. Of course, I like background music, like a string quartet during breakfast, but that's not the same as a talking box (or mistress). I'm not saying is a vice to let the TV run all day long, I just can't get it.
So, dear readers, could you please answer me two questions:
- Do you have your television running all day long ?
- If yes, why ?
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I prefer reading just about any kind of book to watching a show.