Is TV Really That Bad?

Is TV really all that bad for us? Ken Myers, in his book, All God's Children and Blue Suede Shoes, provides ample evidence on why it's nature is not good for anyone.

Myers writes that television is "the single most significant shared reality in our entire culture." Television is still a dominant form of communication in our culture, but now must share that dominate role with a variety of social media.

Television, Facebook, blogs and other assorted popular cultural communication devices have one thing in common... all communicate via image and not word, and that is all the difference these days.

Myers writes that "images can present a story, but not an argument. They can establish a mood, but they are incapable of articulating even the most simple distinctions of language." Myers makes an important and powerful distinction on the difference between communication by word and by image.

Myers offers these seven simple sentences.
1. The cat is on the mat.
2. The cat is not on the mat.
3. The cat was on the mat.
4. The cat likes to be on the mat.
5. The cat should not be on the mat.
6. Get off the mat, cat.
7. If the cat doesn't get off the mat, I shall kick it.

Myers writes, "Of these sentences, only the first could be presented visually, and then with only some uncertainty."

Images can not adequately express what ought to be; they can only can express the present. Images can not judge and make no demands. Myers offers more insight in his book, writing that "Words offer commands and prohibitions. Images establish feelings and resonance. Images remind us of things. They involve recognition more than cognition."

This is another reason why I believe reading books will always be better than books on line and on tape. Television and other social media discourage reflection and any kind of higher categorical thought. Myers writes that television, and I will add social media, "tells us what we already know, relies on instant accessibility, reminds us of something else and reflects the desire of self."

Myers gives us more insight on the problems of television. Myers writes that television communicates and entertains through three main forms: "it tells a story, it depicts conversations and it displays actions." Myers reminds us that all these forms are dramatic. The problem here is that someone has to decide what story, what conversation and what actions, and that presents opportunities to impose a worldview on the viewing public.

Television and social media, according to Myers, has two major problems: the first is that it grants easy access to entertainment. We long to be entertained and expect to be entertained, and when it becomes easily accessible we soon expect to be entertained regularly. This will only lead to our own destruction. The second problem is that television is visual and dramatic. These are emotional and do not allow much time for reflection. Abstract ideas like duty, freedom and justice are essential to social order; television discourages all of this.

So, is television really that bad for us? You will have to make that determination on your own. I know for us since we removed cable from our home we now read much more. And, that is a good thing for us. Blessings!