Free Essays, Term Papers, Research Papers at Anti Essays

TV or not TV, that is the question . . .
Television is one of the greatest inventions of all time. For example, at 2:56 am Greenwich Mean Time on July 20, 1969, we were able to watch in our living rooms Neil Armstrong step out of the lunar module of the Apollo 11 spacecraft and haltingly walk on the surface of the moon. We were witnessing a milestone in the history of humanity. Such is the potential power of TV to inform, inspire, and unite. Yet, in its current state, TV produces more problems than blessings. The first problem is no matter how noble our intentions are to watch only worthwhile programming, once we start watching, it is all too easy to become ensnared in its almost hypnotic power to keep us watching regardless of the content.
The rapidly flickering, ever changing colors and shifting contrast of the TV screen seem to have the same effect. That is, TV captivates and transfixes us. So, before long, we are watching not for the content, but for the contrast, change, and captivating swirl of images. That is the danger. We may decide to catch a one-hour educational program, but find ourselves immobilized by TV's power and end up watching longer than we originally planned.
TV also decreases one's attention span and weakens one's imagination. It decreases our attention span because we grow used to quick, short bursts of information. As a result, we grow impatient if it takes a while to make a point. TV weakens our imagination because everything is portrayed for us. All we have to do is sit back and observe someone else's imagination. Books are just the opposite. They increase our attention span and help to develop our imagination. We need to be more like Groucho Marx who said, "I find television very educational. Every time someone switches it on, I go into another room and read a good book."
The mesmerizing effect of TV brings us to an interesting paradox. You see, after a day's work, many like to regain some energy by first...