Is TV turning our brains to Jelly?
@imfromjupiter (1)
October 12, 2007 9:54pm CST
I haven't watched TV for about 8 years now. I used to be an avid X-filer, but after they killed off Muldar....why bother. I can't say as I miss TV much. All those things that I didn't have enough time in the day to do.....well now I have the time! I spend most of my time working on one of my many hobbies and I've had time to indulge myself in new hobbies also. Occasionally, I visit friends and it seems that no matter which friend it is I visit, they always have their TV on. I find that when I'm in a room with a TV I become instantly hypnotized by it. I can even be thinking "wow, this is really stupid" but I still can't tear myself away. I wonder if this is because I never see TV so it is new and fastenating to me; or does this happen to all of us? Does TV have some kind of hypnotic draw that sucks us in so that our brain cells can become lazy and non-functional? I don't hear other people talking when I'm looking at TV, nor do I see anything else but the TV. It's kind of scary to think that TV would have that effect on everyone that watches it, especially when you consider how many people do watch it. Next time your in a room with the TV on, look around you at the others in the room. Are they sitting there with blank expressions on their faces while their eyes are glued to the TV? Quick....jump up and turn it off!!!! You might be the bad guy for the moment, but in the long run you'll be a hero!
9 responses
@Destiny007 (5805)
• United States
13 Oct 07
We quit watching TV about a year ago and don't really miss it all that much.
We do buy a few movies to watch every month, but the savings from not having cable makes that a good investment as well as not having to sit through stupid commercials, or always looking for something to watch.
Most of our time is spent online, but there are times when we need a break.
1 person likes this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
13 Oct 07
I don't really even look at it when my hubby has it on in the same room, except for a quick glance once in a while. However, last year when they premiered The Riches, I did look up and stay glued to the set for the whole first episode and for several more after that. Usually I am doing something at the computer even on the rare occasions that I even pretend to watch TV...but not that one. It was different.
1 person likes this
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
14 Oct 07
I find myself keeping it off lately. I can sit here all day long and not have on the TV, I will be on the PC or listening to some music, then again I dont always have on my radio either. I just kind of like the quiet anymore. Its peaceful to me.
As far as NEVER watching TV that would just be insane! LOL I have way too many shows that I enjoy watching and dont think I would like to miss them. My cable is one bill that I def pay! On time.....lol I pay them all....anyway....
I do think TV has a hypnotizing effect on people, its scary to deeply think about it, guess thats why I dont. I find myself watching things that I dont really want to watch, but cant seem to stop.
Also I find myself really believing those commercials that sell those crafy handy cheap items and going, Oh I just have to have one of those! But luckily I come to my senses. My husband makes fun of me and when they come on, he will say something silly. Its a good laugh, Im really happy I dont really order the stuff.
Bay Lay Gray xx
@meiji15 (664)
• Philippines
17 Apr 08
it depends on the show that you're watching. if you're just using the TV to watch the gossip on paris hilton or lindsay lohan, then that would be considered turning your brain into a mass of jello. but if you're using the TV to follow current event in and out of your country, then that cannot diminish your brain cells.
appropriate decisions are needed. self-control is part of it.
@katbalu102 (377)
• Philippines
16 Apr 08
hi imfromjupiter,
im katbalu102 and im a tv-holic... hahaha... like what you said "i fint that when im in a toom with a tv i become instatly hypnotized by it. i can even be thinking wow, this is really stupid but i cant tear myself away." i totally feel the same way. but sometimes i change channels. hahaha.. i also feel that my brain turns to jelly just watching the shows but i still watch em. grr... i probably dont have the discipline to stop watching it. it really has its disadvantages and advantages. but im starting to discipline myself now. but i still like to watch tv shows but now its more on the educational side, things like discovery channel, animal planer, national geographic, travel channel, bbc, cnn. i figured, if im going to watch tv, its better if i would learn something out of it rather than watching shows that arent exactly very beneficial right?
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
14 Oct 07
Well I was more and still am a moderate TV viewer. Only problem is, I watched less and less stateside stuff. Its to the point friends have to fill me in or I catch random glimpses of supposed good shows. Also not all TV is that mush inducing. Some shows are educational, others are a bit better than the 2bit shows.
@kyttiewitch (56)
• Germany
13 Oct 07
My daughter is hypnotized when she watches cartoons and that worries me so if I can I try to limit her time on the TV. For me the only reason I would have it on all the time was background noise. For some reason I like background noise and some times I like it quiet. It just depends. I do get addicted to shows though, mostly supernatural ones like ghost whisperer or medium or supernatural lol. But other then that I am busy doing other stuff with it on in the back ground! I would LOVE to get rid the TV but unfortunately I have a husband who is very into the modern life and wouldn't dream of it. One day maybe but I highly doubt it. The best I can do is keep it off until he gets home.
@mlhuff12 (797)
• United States
13 Oct 07
I think television effects people differently. But I absolutely think that it would be better for everyone to take a day or two a week away from the tv, you'll see how much of your time was taken up in your life, and accomplish something more important or do what you always "haven't had time for".
