Anyone observing "Turn the TV Off Week" next week?
04-16-04, 05:54 PM
#3
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“Time-killing TV watching” is what it’s about.
The only reason my TVs aren’t on 24/7 is because, when we’re at work, the dogs fight over the remote.
So, I guess my answer would be “NO.”
Whose idea was this? Is this some kinda religious observance? Will there be any PSAs on TV for it?
The only reason my TVs aren’t on 24/7 is because, when we’re at work, the dogs fight over the remote.
So, I guess my answer would be “NO.”
Whose idea was this? Is this some kinda religious observance? Will there be any PSAs on TV for it?
04-16-04, 06:00 PM
#4
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From the organizer's website:
What happens during a seven-day experiment in life without TV? A whole new space to think emerges. You find yourself passing time in ways you never expected. And you start to wonder: when I reach for the remote, who is really in control?
TV Turnoff 2004 is no ordinary social ritual. Sure, it’s a statement against the dead-end couch culture. But when millions of people let the screen fade to black this year, they’ll also be helping to build the Media Carta movement – the human rights battle of our information age.
Fewer and fewer people control the media that shapes our worldview. And nowhere does this play out worse than on our televisions, where the corporate agenda reigns supreme. Last year, MTV, the factory of teenage-cool, proved the point perfectly. By refusing to air our spots, they let sponsors trump free speech. That's no recipe for a healthy democracy.
With the Media Carta movement, we're fighting back – for the right of all citizens to access society’s most powerful forms of communication.
So, while your making your TV Turnoff plans for this year and looking through the action ideas, website links, reports, MP3s, Posters and updates – check out the Media Carta Campaign. Read the manifesto and pledge your support.
What happens during a seven-day experiment in life without TV? A whole new space to think emerges. You find yourself passing time in ways you never expected. And you start to wonder: when I reach for the remote, who is really in control?
TV Turnoff 2004 is no ordinary social ritual. Sure, it’s a statement against the dead-end couch culture. But when millions of people let the screen fade to black this year, they’ll also be helping to build the Media Carta movement – the human rights battle of our information age.
Fewer and fewer people control the media that shapes our worldview. And nowhere does this play out worse than on our televisions, where the corporate agenda reigns supreme. Last year, MTV, the factory of teenage-cool, proved the point perfectly. By refusing to air our spots, they let sponsors trump free speech. That's no recipe for a healthy democracy.
With the Media Carta movement, we're fighting back – for the right of all citizens to access society’s most powerful forms of communication.
So, while your making your TV Turnoff plans for this year and looking through the action ideas, website links, reports, MP3s, Posters and updates – check out the Media Carta Campaign. Read the manifesto and pledge your support.
04-16-04, 06:02 PM
#5
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It's from Adbusters. They're some radical liberal group...
*shrug*
If they were doing this because they thought it would help people get closer to family, pick up a book, or just get outside and be active it would make far more sense.
*shrug*
If they were doing this because they thought it would help people get closer to family, pick up a book, or just get outside and be active it would make far more sense.
04-16-04, 06:11 PM
#6
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I was in Taiwan in ‘99 for three weeks. No TV at all (at least nothing in engrish).
Two weeks in and the Big One [earthquake] happened.
I live in southern California.
I’m not making the same mistake twice.
Two weeks in and the Big One [earthquake] happened.
I live in southern California.
I’m not making the same mistake twice.
04-16-04, 06:12 PM
#7
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Originally posted by DodgingCars
It's from Adbusters. They're some radical liberal group...
*shrug*
If they were doing this because they thought it would help people get closer to family, pick up a book, or just get outside and be active it would make far more sense.
It's from Adbusters. They're some radical liberal group...
*shrug*
If they were doing this because they thought it would help people get closer to family, pick up a book, or just get outside and be active it would make far more sense.
Anyway, I would participate if only there wasn't a new episode of 24 and NYPD Blue on Tuesday, OC on wednesday, Survivor on Thursday, and Sopranos on Sunday - oh yeah, also gotta watch Hardball on msnbc each night to satisfy my political junkie side, and the sunday morning news talk shows. If it wasn't for all those shows I would be participating.
04-16-04, 06:54 PM
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Actually I think it's unfair to say it is sponsored by Adbusters. They have it on their website, but it appears that a different group or groups is really the ones behind it. tvturnoff.org seems to be one of the backers, if not the main one, and the emphasis there is on getting kids to read instead.
04-16-04, 09:21 PM
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I had Dish Network cancelled when I moved and since then I've watched substantially less TV. It is really for the better. I have Tivo and limited cable and that's all I need. Limiting TV time is the best thing. You can always get news updates on the internet.
However, I've never gone cold turkey in a very long time. Why next week of all times to do this?
However, I've never gone cold turkey in a very long time. Why next week of all times to do this?
04-17-04, 12:01 AM
#17
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The local school district likes to do this in the Fall. The last two years it has been during the World Series.
Yep, nothing like discouraging kids and dads watching the Fall Classic together.
Yep, nothing like discouraging kids and dads watching the Fall Classic together.
das
04-17-04, 12:23 AM
#21
The way I look at it, I do the TV turn off little by little each week. I promise to not turn on crappy TV, which I do every week. Which means I will only watch a few programs.
DVDs on the other hand....I make no plege for that.
DVDs on the other hand....I make no plege for that.
04-17-04, 09:02 AM
#22
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I guess the silly thing about it is that there is no reason to go cold turkey on something unless you think it is a generally bad thing. A lot of people think that TV is in general a bad thing, and they proudly proclaim the fact that they don't watch at all. But for anyone who finds value in some of the programming on tv, there is no reason to arbitrarily say, "I'm not going to let myself enjoy myself in this way, this week."
I do, however, think that anyone who watches tv often should evaluate the value of the things they watch. If it doesn't make you laugh, think, or feel much emotion (whether it is some poignant drama or thrilling action show) then you really aren't going to regret missing it if you turn the tv off and do one of those things DC listed.
I do, however, think that anyone who watches tv often should evaluate the value of the things they watch. If it doesn't make you laugh, think, or feel much emotion (whether it is some poignant drama or thrilling action show) then you really aren't going to regret missing it if you turn the tv off and do one of those things DC listed.
04-17-04, 09:29 AM
#23
Those with Internet access watch less TV anyway.
Actually, if you have Internet access (especially those with broadband Internet), you actually watch a LOT less TV than normal.
Why be a slave to the idiot box when you can surf the Internet and have a true interactive experience?
Why be a slave to the idiot box when you can surf the Internet and have a true interactive experience?
04-17-04, 10:25 AM
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Originally posted by lucasorion
I do, however, think that anyone who watches tv often should evaluate the value of the things they watch.
I do, however, think that anyone who watches tv often should evaluate the value of the things they watch.
Do you listen to music in your car? Do you fully enjoy it, or is it just better than traffic noise?
Along the same line, if I had my radio on often at home, should I evaluate the value of the things I listen to?
04-17-04, 10:43 AM
#25
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Actually, if you have Internet access (especially those with broadband Internet), you actually watch a LOT less TV than normal.
Do you listen to music in your car? Do you fully enjoy it, or is it just better than traffic noise?
Along the same line, if I had my radio on often at home, should I evaluate the value of the things I listen to?
Along the same line, if I had my radio on often at home, should I evaluate the value of the things I listen to?
I've long thought these people were a few episodes short of a full season. TV could be such an incredible tool for teaching and sharing, if they put their efforts towards something like that, I think they could do a lot more good.
As an aside, I'm watching the tickers on HN, Ben Franklin died on this date in 1790, an 8 yo in MA threw a cupcake at a passing car, driver wanted to press charges, but cops won't... mother is charged with driving her teens to egg a bar in PA... students at some college are charged with arson for burning Peeps.
Did Project Mayhem start and I didn't get the memo?