Recently, Chris commented that “televisions are a problem when I need to concentrate.” I have the same problem, which is why I don’t have a television in the library where I can see it. (My back is to it when I sit at my desk. In fact, I don’t think it’s even plugged in right now.) But Chris’s comment made me think about another problem: the proliferation of televisions in public spaces. It’s really getting on my nerves.
It was understandable to have TVs in sports-themed bars, but why must my favorite Japanese restaurant have them on every wall? Do we need them showing from every window of every store? The local mall has gargantuan screens hanging from the ceiling to show advertising–as if we need to be reminded that we’re there to buy, buy buy.
I don’t have the knee-jerk antipathy to TV that some intellectuals* have. I like several TV dramas (“Bones,” “Monk,” “Psych,” and “Burn Notice,” to name a few), and I enjoy watching true-crime shows like “Forensic Files” and “The First 48.” But I don’t want to have a TV in my field of view at all times.
It’s maddening. My eye is often drawn to TVs in restaurants and other public spaces even as I’m trying to concentrate on whomever I’m with. Even when what’s on the TV is something I don’t like, I’ll find myself watching it. The flickering light and motion capture my attention in spite of my best intentions.
I’ve started requesting a seat with no view of a television, but I think that eventually there won’t be such a thing in public.
* Ooh, Mr. Full-of-himself, thinks he’s an intellectual.
4 responses so far ↓
1 Chris // May 16, 2008 at 8:15 pm
I wondered why the neighborhood Chinese restaurant back in Colorado installed flat screen TVs in its very small dining room. The things were on all the time, but tuned to regular broadcast television stations. This meant they were distracting and had a bad picture. Yuck.
I’ve only come across one spot on campus that has televisions in public space – one entrance to the student center has a couple, which are usually tuned to Premier League soccer or soap operas (watched primarily by middle-aged campus office workers). Needless to say, I avoid this are like the plague when I have actual work to do. Otherwise the flickering video siren always grabs my attention, if it’s only some horrible crap like Jerry Springer.
Although I like television, lately I’ve had problems finding something I want to watch on it. I’m tired of CSI in its myriad flavors, Law & Order, and the plethora of cop shows. I need a smart show with witty dialogue – like the defunct Studio 60,, West Wing, Firefly , or Max Headroom. I’d love to be able to get BBC News for more than two hours in the morning on BBC America. I loved Food Network, Discovery Channel, TLC, and the History Channel until they over expanded and started putting on any crap that attracted consumer attention. Now we have 10 of those channels with quality content for about one of them.
2 Sam // May 16, 2008 at 9:02 pm
You might like “Burn Notice.” I think the first season is out on DVD, and the new episode start in July. It’s a comedy action show about a freelance spy who has been “burned” by the U.S. government, for reasons unknown. It’s witty, fun, and shot in Miami, which means it’s got a lot of stunning visual elements.
3 Heather // May 17, 2008 at 8:06 pm
I had to share a story of a co-student who claims not to have a TV, because she came here for her education and to study, not watch TV. However, if we are talking about different shows, she knows all about it. It is quite amusing, then add that she is 42 and not near as smart as she thinks she is and you have a great joke.
4 Chris // May 18, 2008 at 10:45 pm
I’ve seen the commercials for “Burn Notice”, but always forget to check it out. Although I’m not one of those pseudo-intellectuals who turn their noses up at television, I do think there’s a dearth of quality programming. That we have hundreds of channels to choose from just makes it more obvious that there is little worth watching.
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