TV in All the Wrong Places

If you’re like me, pumping gas is not your favorite occupation. Now, while I’m pumping it, I have the great joy of listening to television. I get news snippets and lots of commercials. Do I sound happy? I’m not. I’m also betting I’m not alone.

At the gym, there are TVs attached to all of the exercise equipment. This can come in handy, and at least I get to choose the station. However, it can be very dangerous, especially on a treadmill. Losing concentration on what you’re doing could get you seriously injured.

Some of the new Smartphones also have television watching apps. If you thought these phones made normal people appnoying, wait till they find that out. Now, besides reading e-mail, surfing the web and otherwise ignoring those around them, they can add television.

Now, a fast food chain has announced they plan to install televisions in their restaurants. I like fast food as a treat, but when I go there it’s because of the first word…fast. If I get interested in a television program, I’m either going to have to leave part way through it or look it up on my husband’s iPhone. Then *I’d* be appnoying.

You may be wondering why I think this is such a problem. There are several reasons. First of all, there are health risks associated with watching too much television. Usually, they are related to the fact that you aren’t doing something active. However, you can damage your vision with too much screen time, and this just adds to the mix.

It’s also not great at encouraging critical thinking. A television gives you the opinion of the person writing the scripts or giving the news. It’s really easy to fall into the habit of assuming that’s the right opinion without thought, especially if all you’re doing is watching it.

I think we need to spend more time away from that set. Yes, it’s nice to sit down in the evening and watch a show or two. It’s a good idea to catch the news at least once a day, and there are times/events that make watching television all day a necessity. However, we don’t need it all the time.

We don’t need television at the gas station nor at a fast food place. Having one at the gym isn’t bad, but only if it’s used properly and safely. Adding it to your smart phone is overkill…unless you’re on the road all the time and that’s your only way of watching. It’s time to step away from the TV set.


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