theculturewarrior Posted June 15, 2005 Posted June 15, 2005 Hello: If any of you have read my sentiments in the Michael Jackson thread, you know that I don't like television. Turning it off has freed a great deal of time for me, and every thing I need to know, I can get through the internet. I can even watch EWTN through the net. The medium is good. Technology is a gift from God, and Mother Angelica has done some much good for us, but the medium is also greatly abused, and I wonder what good it is for. Most of the programs on television do not reflect my worldview. In fact, that seems to be the case with most of America. And yet, it is all so scandalous, and it is all so persuasive to undiscerning minds, and I wonder if television producers seek to reshape American culture, or if they're just so out of touch with reality they don't know how absurd the shows the put on are. And then there are the reality shows, the Roman Circus of our lives, where we watch immature people make motorcycles and argue, and the tension is entertaining, and the culture it displays inspires us to a new machismo. It is all garbage. And I wonder, if a need for entertainment is a cultural sickness. We can barely focus on our work unless we are being entertained somehow, and a Friday night at home is nothing like a night at the movies. And I wonder how this cultural sickness has led to innovations in the Liturgy. Here's what I propose. If you watch more than three hours a day of television, you have enouh time to pursue a degree in any program you desire, sans doctoral programs, I guess. Go to school. It is entertaining, but you also learn something. Or go to Phatmass instead. Gah, I'm preachy today! Mea CULPA!
Thy Geekdom Come Posted June 15, 2005 Posted June 15, 2005 [quote name='theculturewarrior' date='Jun 15 2005, 10:35 AM']Go to school. It is entertaining, but you also learn something. Or go to Phatmass instead. [right][snapback]612201[/snapback][/right] [/quote] I've learned far more on PM than I ever learned in school.
theculturewarrior Posted June 15, 2005 Author Posted June 15, 2005 Yeah. dUSt needs to start a certificate program.
Thy Geekdom Come Posted June 15, 2005 Posted June 15, 2005 [quote name='theculturewarrior' date='Jun 15 2005, 10:53 AM']Yeah. dUSt needs to start a certificate program. [right][snapback]612217[/snapback][/right] [/quote] I'd have a Phatmass doctorate by now! Phatmass Doctor...PhD.
Noel's angel Posted June 15, 2005 Posted June 15, 2005 I'd agree, I've learned so much more of Phatmass than I have in school where you get watered down junk...
Brother Adam Posted June 15, 2005 Posted June 15, 2005 Bite your tongue. The Simpsons is on TV. That should be the sole purpose for TV. To show the Simpsons. The Simpsons and Dragnet. And MacGyver. Yes. But then again that is what buying the boxed DVD sets is all about.
Fidei Defensor Posted June 15, 2005 Posted June 15, 2005 I like the T.V.. he's my only friend.. I agree totally. The only shows I watch are anything on EWTN (first channel on in the morning, last on in the evening) or Foxnews to see what garbage is going on in the world. And maybe cartoons if im reaaaaaally bored, but I have plenty of good books to read now, so that shouldnt happen. But i agree that T.V. has really had an effect on people these days. Most of the rest of it is sex or fighting, and who wants to watch that on T.V. anyways?
Dreamweaver Posted June 15, 2005 Posted June 15, 2005 Heh, my TV is good for one thing: video games. Doesn't help that I really only get 2 channels to come in somewhat well. I gotta agree that there is a lot of carp out there.
Colleen Posted June 15, 2005 Posted June 15, 2005 I rarely watch TV anymore. I will also echo those who said they learned a great deal on Phatmass. I know I have. It's fun to get on . . . but it's also very educational.
sweetpea316 Posted June 15, 2005 Posted June 15, 2005 I agree! I hardly watch tv anymore, but when I do, I find it is merely wasting my time. *Example: Watching Behind the music: Backstreet Boys on VHI the other night when I should have been studying for my Statistics exam...* (I admit, I used to be a teeny-bopper) I mean sure, there are some beneficial and educational things on tv, but for the most part, its junk that takes the time that God has blessed me with and throws it down the drain while I could be doing something worthwhile. But thats just my opinion.
inDEED Posted June 15, 2005 Posted June 15, 2005 It's funny to me how someone will rip on TV and then spend most of that time spent watching TV on the INTERNET... Both can be used to glorify God and both can be used to glorify Satan... Get off your pedestool...Practice self-control...
sweetpea316 Posted June 15, 2005 Posted June 15, 2005 [quote name='inDEED' date='Jun 15 2005, 12:34 PM']It's funny to me how someone will rip on TV and then spend most of that time spent watching TV on the INTERNET... Both can be used to glorify God and both can be used to glorify Satan... Get off your pedestool...Practice self-control... [right][snapback]612335[/snapback][/right] [/quote] Tis true... *Hangs head in shame* The time I don't spend watching tv I tend to spend using the internet... Point well made.
Carrie Posted June 15, 2005 Posted June 15, 2005 [quote name='inDEED' date='Jun 15 2005, 02:34 PM']It's funny to me how someone will rip on TV and then spend most of that time spent watching TV on the INTERNET... Both can be used to glorify God and both can be used to glorify Satan... Get off your pedestool...Practice self-control... [right][snapback]612335[/snapback][/right] [/quote] Agreed. Besides. Extreme Home Makeover is on TV and I'm not giving that up!
curtins Posted June 15, 2005 Posted June 15, 2005 tv is only good for displaying the stuning visuals of my xbox no I watch tv but not too much. I dont think its evil- I just think people need to know to control what they watch- like I really only watch food network weather cnbc fox news and 24 or if theres a good movie on etc etc but I think they deffinatly need to get rid of the sex on tv- down with e! and down with mtv
Didacus Posted June 15, 2005 Posted June 15, 2005 Do not have cable, ain't gonna bother with it for a good while. I think the worst part of TV is its addictive aspect. PHd in phatmass... wonder how that would make out on a resume? I should add phatmasser to mine, which I achieved through hard work and lots of typing in the last month or so (climbing the heriachy baby!).
theculturewarrior Posted June 15, 2005 Author Posted June 15, 2005 [quote name='inDEED' date='Jun 15 2005, 12:34 PM']It's funny to me how someone will rip on TV and then spend most of that time spent watching TV on the INTERNET... Both can be used to glorify God and both can be used to glorify Satan... Get off your pedestool...Practice self-control... [right][snapback]612335[/snapback][/right] [/quote] EWTN is good, but even then, television viewing is so passive that people usually don't learn much from it. The medium can be used to accomodate various learning styles but because of the passive nature of television viewing, even if television producers tried to have a positive effect on their audiences, most people would forget what they watched the next day. They will, however, spend more at McDonald's and K-mart. I can provide a bibliography on this if you like. Also, scientists are exploring a possible link between passive television viewing during the formative years of childhood and ADHD. The April 2004 journal, American Pediatrics (if I recall correctly) published a study showing a positive correlation. The internet on the other hand is interactive. You can ask questions. You can usually choose what you are viewing, and it involves reading, and often, writing. Also, the "commercials" don't usually take up the whole screen unless you are visitng disreputable websites. I learned a lot through the internet, including some of the above. One of the best things about the net is that I can practice my writing skills. You can even look up words to see if they are spelled correctly. Pedastal is spelled like that, for example. I don't judge people who watch TV. I just admire people who watch the sun set more.
philothea Posted June 15, 2005 Posted June 15, 2005 My problem with TV is that I hyper-focus, and I'm gullible. I'll soak up any stupid thing. TV programs and advertisements are certainly not aired for the viewer's benefit. Fortunately, I don't like TV, so I have no trouble avoiding it. (I HATE getting stuck in a room where someone has it on, though.) I have a set, but it only plays tapes, DVDs, or PS2 games.
theculturewarrior Posted June 15, 2005 Author Posted June 15, 2005 [quote name='inDEED' date='Jun 15 2005, 12:34 PM'] Get off your pedestool...Practice self-control... [right][snapback]612335[/snapback][/right] [/quote] I'll admit though, I was being preachy. MEA CULPA!
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