Why I don’t own a TV and -more shockingly still- why I’m glad about it

29.12.2019

Something my friends and acquaintances (even some family members) have found extremely odd and even unsettling about me is that I do not have a television in my house.

Of course, we had a television at one point, and then, quite suddenly we didn’t. Now the reason why is a long story involving some lightning and the unfortunate circumstance of the hapless television being caught in its path, which I shall not bore you by recounting (the truth being that I don’t know the full story myself).

Actually one of my favourite topics of debate with my mother is when exactly this turning point in our lives took place. She insists that it happened during my first or second year of life, while I maintain that I remember us watching television when I was around five.

Anyway, if we were to go by my mother’s version- which is probably the correct version- there has not been a television in our house for at least eighteen years.

But frankly, I think my parents were relieved. In one of our many discussions about the late television we owned, they spoke about how they often had felt it was taking over their lives.

I received a lot of sympathetic glances for not owning a TV. Honestly, I did not give it much thought. It’s hard to miss something you don’t really remember.

The television is called an idiot box for a reason. Not because it keeps stuffing you with pointless shows and repetitive advertisements, but because it turns you into a mindless, dependent couch potato.

Though I agree that the television is responsible for keeping people who don’t have access to newspapers or the Internet, informed of what’s happening in the world, I cannot ignore its negative effects on its viewers.

Complete with loud sounds and an array of constant visual stimulation in all sorts of attractive colors, the television lures you, hooks you, and then when you are too busy being entertained to realize what’s happening, it proceeds to chain you to it as one would a prisoner.

Like a jealous lover, it goes to any lengths to ensure that it is your only focus.  Hence the constant introduction of new shows, better advertisements, more advanced televisions; because come on now, we can’t have you addicted to something else. What if –oh horror of horrors! - What if a book catches your fancy!

This is problematic mainly because you become less aware of your surroundings- your house, your street, very soon your own country- as you are too busy with what’s happening on screen. Family interactions become fewer and fewer; sometimes the whole family will sit and watch TV together instead of spending time talking or engaging in some other meaningful activity.

I’ve been looked at as an alien and asked questions like, “You don’t have a TV? What on earth do you do at home?”

Well, where can I start? We spend time as a family; discuss almost every aspect of our lives, and engage with each other without constant interruption by the television, demanding to be paid attention to. We cook together, sing together, and read together.

And when alone, the world is a sensory journey. There’s so much to be seen, felt, and thought about. And so much more to experience and to accomplish. More still to learn, and to talk about.

Then why do we have to limit ourselves to a box? Why waste all that we have? Why draw ourselves willingly into this never ending abyss?

I can only wonder.