In my next paragraph is a brief description of an experience I had recently, using just facts and the words of two men which I captured - nearly verbatim - in my journal as I listened. Before revealing my reaction to this experience - in my third paragraph - take a brief moment and formulate your own.
I'm waiting in a bagel store that seats approximately fifteen people as my sandwich is being prepared. On the full screen TV hanging on the wall is a broadcast of a local news station. The screen headline says "late-breaking" news, which turns out to be a forecast of a storm gathering on the East Coast. Man #1: "This is why I can't stand watching TV. Late-breaking news? Who are they kidding? They said the same thing twenty minutes ago!" Man #2: "Yeah, that's goes on all day on every TV you see - it's all 'news' but it's all the same."
Listening to these two men, one irony about their shared complaint struck me as inescapable. What if there weren't a TV in nearly every available public space? Would a conversation like this ever occur?
You know I agree 100 percent. I hate that there are TVs everywhere we go. Always in your face.
ReplyDeleteBut then what would they talk about? The weather?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous; How about ideas? At least, to start, anyway. Thanks for comment.
DeleteGreat title, interesting text and question. My answer to the question is "no." I agree with Kim that the TVs everywhere are annoying. They are also distracting. I just came back from a trip where there were TVs in many of the airports and restaurants. There are also TVs in the waiting area of all the physicians I see. Most of the time, I can ignore them, but once in a while I find myself pulled in. There is something rather hypnotic about TVs and I don't like it at all!
ReplyDeleteInes; Thanks for the comment and the supportive feedback. Hypnotic indeed; I would go even further - mind-numbing, narcotizing, insidious
DeleteHello, Pat. Interesting post. I have to agree with Kim and Ines regarding TV's being everywhere. However, I have a feeling that even if there weren't so many TV's these conversations would still happen. Probably different subjects, but there will always be these conversations. All you have to do is take a look at posts on Social Media, on any given day/time, and you'll see them. And what makes this even more interesting is that these are usually one person saying something and opening it up to anyone/everyone who cares to join the conversation. And there is certainly no shortage of responses - both in agreement with the original comment or in full disagreement. Those that disagree usually will add some colorful and somewhat harsh language to emphasize their point of view. I stay away from any involvement in these 'talks but I admit to reading a few of them just to see where they go. They would be amusing if they weren't so serious.
ReplyDeleteBe well,
Bob
Hey Bob (redux); Thanks for the comment. I actually see a connection between the ubiquity of TVs and its evil twin - social media, which you mention - contributing to exactly what I'm referring to in this post, i.e. susceptible people (like those two men in the bagel store) not realizing they are having difficulty reaching their own conclusions about contemporary issues. The more people passively "watch" what pundits and others in their bubble regurgitate endlessly, the less critical thinking is required.
Delete