Television was left on, like a running tap, from morning till night.
–Aldous Huxley, Brave New World
My Mom likes to say I live in squalor. The exposed cinderblock makes my apartment look like a bat cave; albeit, without the glamour of Bruce Wayne’s accessories. The lighting is harsh in some spots, and ironically, dull where I need it. Poorly insulated walls leave me exposed to Iowa’s elements – both hot and cold extremes. The reality is that this is my home, for now.
While I won’t leave the cold walls of my oh-so-humble abode (affordable housing from university), I’m reevaluating the things I own. What do I need and what could I sell? I started with my car (which is still for sale). Then, like a lion on the prowl, I stalked my apartment for things to sell. It felt like there was little left – I had already done so much paring down.
I thought about needs and must-haves versus wants. As I focused on this, my television stuck out like an eyesore. It was lurking in the corner and cost me $400 after all was said and done. Do I need a TV? Does anybody? My television is the most expensive, optional item in my home, and I hardly ever use it. Should I sell my TV?
Broadcasts were designed in a different era. The word “tune” actually meant something. To have a TV meant being connected with the world around you. Nightly news and programs were shown at certain times and channels.
Maybe it’s purely generational. Maybe it’s technological. Either way, televisions are dying off in favor of computers and tablets. This epoch includes the Internet. Instead of watching at a certain time, you can watch what you want, when you want.
But there’s a reason I can’t part with it just yet. The television can be a social avenue in the right circumstances. How many times do you lean over to your iPhone-carrying friend and ask to watch with him or her? These portable devices that we now accept as commonplace are strangely isolating when it comes to sharing content (they were only ever designed for individual consumption).
A television, on the other hand, is designed to be open and viewed by many. Whether it’s the Presidential debates, a sports broadcast, or a movie with someone special, TVs are still the best option.
That black box takes up a precious corner in my apartment, normally dormant (I don’t really watch “TV”). Maybe it’s time to invite some people over? Or, maybe it’s time to sell it?
Televisions can be the focal point of a surprising amount of social occasions, whether it’s watching a game or a movie night or an awards show or whatever. Typically there’s great company and conversation to be had before, after, and during. No need to have anything too fancy, but having something bigger than an iphone or laptop is nice.
We got our TV for free, but we never hooked up cable. I go to my in-laws if I ever want to watch a game 🙂
Ben,
I like your thinking. Thankfully, my cable is already free due to my housing situation. I would NOT pay for cable in any situation – no need for it.
Thanks for the comment,
Sam
Sell! I’ve been TV free for over 5 years and it’s done wonders for my productivity, self-esteem, etc. If there are shows I want to watch, I go to Youtube or Netflix.
DD,
This is what I’m leaning towards! Hah. The social aspect is still a tricky one for me, because watching with others is unbearable on a tiny laptop or worse… an iPhone!
I love my TV…but it is connected to my computer or xBox most of the time. I don’t really enjoy watching things on my phone or computer. I need the picture bigger and I need popcorn in my lap.
It’s all about being social for me. I have a couple of shows that my friends and I are really into. They all come over and gather around the TV once a week and this is how we catch up and stay close.
I always question whether or not we NEED our TV, my iMac is big enough to be a decent size TV and it’s where I watch all my Netflix anyways. If I weren’t such a huge NFL fan I might give it up.
Sports seems to be an important piece of the puzzle for getting rid of TV. They’ve wrapped it so much into cable packages that it can be difficult getting around that.
We watch Jeopardy and some movies from the library. I don’t think we will get rid of our TV yet.
Why not do a trial and turn it off and leave it off for a month. If you don’t miss it, then you might as well sell it and make some extra money!
Brent,
This is a great idea! My guess is that 90-95% of the time it stays off. It just seems like an occasional centerpiece for a movie, TV show, news report. I’ll try looking at how much I actually watch on it. Thanks for the suggestion.
Sam