Would you go without TV for a week?

[Lau]

It's TV turnoff week tomorrow. Anyone going to do it?

http://www.adbusters.org/metas/psycho/tvturnoff/

[Blue Velvet]

I've been without a TV for months. Best thing I've done for ages -- frees up more time for more rewarding pursuits.

I even posted a thread about it....

[Lau]

Nice thread, Blue Velvet, just found it.

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=102657

How have you been finding it a few months on? I didn't have a TV for four years when I left home and loved it. I had great flatmates too. Now I live with my fiance, who is also a great flatmate, but he loves the TV. Drives me mental. So i have forced him to give it up for a week. Mwa ha ha ha ha.

[Blue Velvet]

How have I been finding it?

As I said, best thing ever... occasionally, someone at work will say 'Did you see X last night?' I just say No -- I haven't got a TV. That usually stops the conversation right there... :D

And when I do hear a conversation about TV it's usually about the most inane things, like soaps or gameshows. Couldn't care less...

[mkrishnan]

I went a year basically without watching TV once -- actually twice, IIRC -- on purpose, to see if I could do it. It *was* an eye-opener in getting me to think about my habits. If the cause behind this were more, I guess I'd do it again. Since I got ReplayTV, I have been very binge/restrict about my viewing habits. I will go a week where I am constantly watching TV when I am home (since there is so much content I like available by virtue of the record filters I've set up ... even if I only had syndicated channels, I would be surprised if I couldn't constantly have TV to watch!). But then I'll ignore it for weeks at a time, or hardly ever watch it. Right now is the latter. I don't think I've watched more than one show in the past three weeks. It keeps recording them, and I even turned it on once or twice to make sure it had a new channel guide, etc, but... :)

[MattG]

Yeah, I could. There are so few shows I like to watch...I watch so little of it anyway that going a week would be no big deal.

[WinterMute]

Not unless someone's going to video the Liverpool game against Chealski and the next episode of 24... :D

I try to leave the TV off as long as possible every evening, I get the news later on BBC24, and I'll watch comedy or films if there's something on.

However, my 8 year-old daughter is addicted to Inspector Gadget re-runs on Boomerang, and likes Garfield too, so it's on during the day occasionally.

I still have 4 novels from Christmas that I haven't started yet, finding time is becoming a difficult business.

[840quadra]

Mine was off for about a year (had no cable and I hated local)

I am back to not watching TV now, but I do have lots of videos that I play on my G5 and G4 in small windows while I am working..

[munkle]

I prob spend less than 5hours a week, if that, watching TV. Doesn't bother at all, like Blue said, most of the shows (yes, I'm looking at you reality TV!) are incredibly innane. Just please don't take my DVD's away from me, oh and my local for when the footie is on! :p

[wordmunger]

I'm not one of those people who has to have the TV constantly on as "background," but I do enjoy relaxing in front of the TV with the family at the end of the day. The hardest thing to give up would probably be the Daily Show, which in my view is one of the best TV programs, ever.

I thing if I felt my TV viewing was a problem, I'd try TV turn off week, but give the fact that I only watch an hour or two a day, I won't bother with the week.

[miloblithe]

I love not watching TV. Right now I'm in a kind of high point of watching way more TV than I normally do. Perhaps putting the thing in the closet would be a good idea (not that there's room in the closet).

One of my favorite things about travelling and living abroad is realizing how little TV I'm watching.

[wordmunger]

I love not watching TV. Right now I'm in a kind of high point of watching way more TV than I normally do. Perhaps putting the thing in the closet would be a good idea (not that there's room in the closet).

One of my favorite things about travelling and living abroad is realizing how little TV I'm watching.

If I could spend money every day the way I do when I'm travelling abroad, then I'd have no problem giving up TV!

[Macaddicttt]

I've been without a TV for months. Best thing I've done for ages -- frees up more time for more rewarding pursuits.

I even posted a thread about it....

So you quit watching TV so you'd have more time to post on MacRumors how you have more time since you stopped watching TV? :D

[Applespider]

I could give up TV with the caveat that I'd still like to be able to go to a bar to watch my NFL games. There are a few other sports that I like having on as background - baseball and tennis primarily. Part of me would really like a plasma TV with a PVR but I watch so seldomly I really don't need it.

The only time I find myself 'glued' to the TV is when there's a major news event; and even then when they start repeating things on every half hour, I turn it off again.

I will say though that ask me to give up my Powerbook and you'd face a fight.

[miloblithe]

If I could spend money every day the way I do when I'm travelling abroad, then I'd have no problem giving up TV!

I spend about as much every day at home as I do travelling. Probably more. Start with rent... That would give me over $35 a day right there. Then there's food, public transportation, and so on.

It's pretty easy to travel on $50-60 a day as long as you avoid the really expensive countries and enjoy walking. The trick is to go on long trips where the cost of the plane fare affords a long trip (say six months).

The difference is, it's hard to have an income during that time. So we're stuck at home with our TVs.

[munkle]

I wonder what the response would be if the question was, "Would you go without your computer/internet for a week?". Obviously work related usage would not count.

I for one would struggle.

[Bibulous]

I went without a tv for a couple of weeks while I was moving, but found that I would turn on the radio (npr, news talk, sports talk and music) in its place. When you live alone, I think it is harder to have the house quite.

Like most 14-40 year old males, sports and espn will never allow me to fully go without a tv, but I think I will try this week.

[wordmunger]

It's pretty easy to travel on $50-60 a day as long as you avoid the really expensive countries and enjoy walking. The trick is to go on long trips where the cost of the plane fare affords a long trip (say six months).

That's impressive! Last time I was in Europe I often spent $50-60 per MEAL -- not counting my wife :eek:

I think I could travel cheaply, but I'd have to be out in the wilderness, not in a big city. There, the temptation to spend money is too great. And yes, if I was hiking through the wilderness, I suppose I could do without a TV ;)

[PlaceofDis]

I wonder what the response would be if the question was, "Would you go without your computer/internet for a week?". Obviously work related usage would not count.

I for one would struggle.

as would i, but i have gone for two years + without TV now, its not a loss at all to me, because i can get my information from the internet. i could go a week with my computer and the internet, and probably will come the summer, but during the school year its impossible

[jalagl]

I actually don't watch that much TV. The only time my TV is on is to watch soccer games, play on the gamecube or if some friend is at my place and we rent a movie. Other than that, it is always off.

Oh, I forgot, it is also my alarm clock... it turn on automatically in the morning to wake me up :D

[AliensAreFuzzy]

I've noticed myself watching less "TV" lately. Mainly because of the rise of those god-awful reality shows. I do have quite a few DVDs that I like to watch every now and again.

[watcher2001]

The thing I always hated about TV was the fact that it dictated my schedule. "Gotta be home at 8PM on Thursday to watch Survivor" etc etc.. Now that I have discovered "Tivo" I do not have that worry and sometimes do go over a week without watching TV at all... That being said I do usually have a marathon session at the end of the week where I watch 10-12 hours straight through (Yes that includes FF through the commercials) but it is programming I want to watch and not the mindless junk that fills the airways these days.

[----Bowie----]

I stopped watching TV at the start of the year thanks to Blue Velvet's thread. :)


-Bowie

[cheekyspanky]

I stopped watching TV at the start of the year thanks to my TV going bang and smoke coming out of it!

I haven't bothered to replace it - I only really used it to watch the Simpsons.

Life without the computer would be harder - I feel the need to check my emails at least three times a day even when i'm not awaiting any important ones. Although in the summer when I'm not at university I do feel more relaxed and could probably manage a few days without the Mac mini.

[Blue Velvet]

So you quit watching TV so you'd have more time to post on MacRumors how you have more time since you stopped watching TV? :D

True. I did realise the irony of it as I typed the post. :D

Still, believe it or not, I'm not on here as often as some others. Particularly when I'm at work... now where's Lacero? :p

[Nanda Devi]

...occasionally, someone at work will say 'Did you see X last night?' I just say No -- I haven't got a TV. That usually stops the conversation right there... :D


So true - people are always stunned when they find out I don't have a TV. It's sort of amusing to see their reaction. The odd thing is, I've noticed that some people will find out you don't have TV, make a big thing of it, then a few weeks later apparently forget you don't have one and continue to ask 'Did you see x last night?'.

I've been TV-less for about 6 years now (wow, hard to believe it's been that long...) I firmly believe that everyone would be FAR better off without it.

[munkle]

I've been TV-less for about 6 years now (wow, hard to believe it's been that long...) I firmly believe that everyone would be FAR better off without it.

To be fair, there are some great shows on the telly, so it's not all bad. I just think too many people get into a comfortable routine of switching off in front of the telly for hours at a time, not all blame should be placed on the telly ;)

[Inspector Lee]

I could give up TV with the caveat that I'd still like to be able to go to a bar to watch my NFL games. There are a few other sports that I like having on as background - baseball and tennis primarily. Part of me would really like a plasma TV with a PVR but I watch so seldomly I really don't need it.

I will say though that ask me to give up my Powerbook and you'd face a fight.

Yeah, I catch 99% of the sports I am interested in via the old-school radio. Nothing like hearing an announcer say "moving left to right across your radio dial..."

If the game is big (and in reality, no sporting event is truly earth-shattering "big"), I'll catch it at a local pub or friend's house.

Haven't owned a tv for 7 years. The only teevee I see daily is when I am changing in the locker room. The fossils at the gym usually have Seinfeld going and they all laugh hysterically even though they've seen the episode a dozen times. Kind of depressing...

Yeah, I'd have the shakes if I gave up my TiBook too...

[----Bowie----]

I've been TV-less for about 6 years now (wow, hard to believe it's been that long...) I firmly believe that everyone would be FAR better off without it.



I forget who said it, but there is a famous quote: "TV is the modern-day drug". Was it Marshall McLuhan?

[Inspector Lee]

Let's say the average person watches 4 hours of teevee each workday per week and doesn't watch anything on the weekends. A ballpark breakdown is this:

0.5 hr - morning with coffee while getting dressed
0.5 hr - evening local news
0.5 hr - evening national news
1.0 hr - 2 thirty minute sitcoms
1.0 hr - favorite hour-long drama
0.5 hr - local nightly news

By only watching this much, it equates to 20 hrs/week or 1,040 hours per year. This then equates to a whopping 26 forty hour work weeks per year spent in front of the thing. Kind of frightening.

[RacerX]

I'd have to go back to the late 80s to remember the last time I was an avid TV watcher.

As it stands now, I'll watch first run Star Treks (which is coming to an end) and Numb3rs, but very little else. If I'm killing time, usually I'm on either the National Geographic channel or one of the two PBS stations we have here. My wife adds the Disney channel to the ones that I tend towards.

Primetime TV lost me long ago... and it shows no signs of winning me back any time soon.

But yes, I could go for a week (or more) without TV... and often do.

[Lau]

Actually, yeah, that's a good point. A while ago, I tried to just video the odd thing I wanted to watch (the old school way, not Tivo) and watch them, say, on a lazy Friday night when you're staying in with a beer and fancy watching something. It's true, there are some good things on, (I would go as far to say educational). I think the problem is assuming you're going to watch it, or having it as background, rather than making the decision "I am going to watch this because it is funny/eductional/important/whatever". I think I could live without it, (well, I have, see above) but with the whole 'compromise in relationship thing' :rolleyes: I think the whole recording thing might be the way forward.

Actually, d'ya know, if we just had two living rooms, only one of which had a TV I'd be happy, because the thing that drives me totally insane is it blaring in the one room we have. :mad:

[rainman::|:|]

wouldn't be a problem for me. i watch the simpsons every day, it's on right after work and it's good background noise to get stoned to. But that's all generic reruns and i don't pay attention to it (the noisy annoyance of seinfield makes me turn it off right after)... desperate housewives (weekly) is the only show i actually watch, and i'm not married to the show or anything.

[ravenvii]

I spend about one hour per week watching the TV, if that. When I live on my own, I will probably not bother getting cable, and only have broadcast to watch. BUT how could you guys say you don't need a TV? I mean, DVD-viewing, console gaming... Yeah I wouldn't give those up!

[XnavxeMiyyep]

I use my TV for video games and movies (neither of which are the same as "watching tv"), with the occasional Simpsons episode. That's pretty much it.

[homerjward]

i could honestly never give up tv. if i'm in my room and awake it's on. i usually watch the simpsons, adult swim, the history channel, king of the hill, national geographic, anything on comedy central especially south park and the daily show...prolly at lease 5-6hrs per day including watching the today show while getting ready for school.

[Koodauw]

I've noticed myself watching less "TV" lately. Mainly because of the rise of those god-awful reality shows. I do have quite a few DVDs that I like to watch every now and again.

I watch 1 hour of T.V. per week. and that would be the apprentice. Sometimes I just record it, and then its only like 45 mins a week. Other than that, I dont really feel the need to watch.

[Nermal]

I've watched TV 2 or 3 times so far this year. But if you include watching TV shows on the computer, then that amount increases substantially :rolleyes:

[SpaceMagic]

Since we really only got Sky television for me 4 years ago, we recently got rid of it (last month) because I haven't watched it in months. I really haven't watched much tv since I got this PowerMac G5 in Nov 2003.

I used to always watch loads of TV and be on my iBook.. but a toss up between iBook + TV OR G5 and no TV.. it's no contest.

Altho I have been thinking of an EyeTV... :p

[Lacero]

Ok so you reduce TV usage. You'll just fill the void with more internet activity on MR. How sad is that? http://www3.telus.net/poojja/s/weep.gif

[Chip NoVaMac]

I went a year basically without watching TV once -- actually twice, IIRC -- on purpose, to see if I could do it. It *was* an eye-opener in getting me to think about my habits. If the cause behind this were more, I guess I'd do it again. Since I got ReplayTV, I have been very binge/restrict about my viewing habits. I will go a week where I am constantly watching TV when I am home (since there is so much content I like available by virtue of the record filters I've set up ... even if I only had syndicated channels, I would be surprised if I couldn't constantly have TV to watch!). But then I'll ignore it for weeks at a time, or hardly ever watch it. Right now is the latter. I don't think I've watched more than one show in the past three weeks. It keeps recording them, and I even turned it on once or twice to make sure it had a new channel guide, etc, but... :)

The past week or so has seen my TV viewing drop. So with my new place (soon) I was thinking going ultra basic. Just broadband and rabbit ears.

Then I saw that my cable company offers "ultra" basic cable with cable modem access of just an extra $2 if you combine services. So I called them for info on being able to use the one jack, and was told about their digital telephone service (was thinking about a cell phone as my only phone line). Guess what? Additional savings if I add the digital telephone service! :eek:

They then asked if I had HDTV set. No not yet. Well they have even better discounts if I add HDTV service! Will it ever end? Have to say I am swayed on getting the HDTV service since I am planning on an HDTV for the new place.

I will have to admit that the DVR service I have now is really nice. I can record up to two stations at once. But the last week or so away from the tube has allowed me to listen more to my tunes on iTunes (which I am amazed at how much I truly missed). Also with my new "life" (don't ask, just lets say that it was a "divorce"), I am looking forward to traveling more, and doing more things on my days off. But for those of us with what I call "Depression Era Values" (instilled by my parents), it is hard sometimes to not give in to the "offers".

[Chip NoVaMac]

I wonder what the response would be if the question was, "Would you go without your computer/internet for a week?". Obviously work related usage would not count.

I for one would struggle.

I know what you mean.

My sister has dial-up service. And she is trying to convince me that broadband is waste for home use. But we have a slow DSL link at work and I cringe anytime I am on it. One you have 2 to 5mb access, it is hard to go back! :)

[iGary]

We don't even have basic cable, only have cable for Internet.

I really dislike TV - a real time waster.

I use Netflix and we watch what we want when we want to. Regular TV is just....yuck.

[Chip NoVaMac]

Let's say the average person watches 4 hours of teevee each workday per week and doesn't watch anything on the weekends. A ballpark breakdown is this:

0.5 hr - morning with coffee while getting dressed
0.5 hr - evening local news
0.5 hr - evening national news
1.0 hr - 2 thirty minute sitcoms
1.0 hr - favorite hour-long drama
0.5 hr - local nightly news

By only watching this much, it equates to 20 hrs/week or 1,040 hours per year. This then equates to a whopping 26 forty hour work weeks per year spent in front of the thing. Kind of frightening.

Thanks for the "wake-up call". I can see this as maybe being light for my past viewing habits. Though to be honest, I am probably "multi-tasking" with some of the shows. Taking a shower, making dinner, check MR.

But I now can see the amount of time wasted more clearly with the idiot box (TV). In the end I would maybe rather spend 12 to 20 hours a week watching the latest (or oldest) DVD's instead - if I find myself wanting "entertainment".

For many of the TV shows are now offered on DVD. And my guilty pleasure has been American Idol, but I have been thinking do I care who really wins? Yes, there have been singers that I would have loved to have bought (crooner-boy from last season). And as nice as Bo is dragging the mike around stage, would my life be any worse for not seeing it? Probably not.

So thanks to all those here that have gone TV free. No, I probably won't go that far. :( But I will probably go with just basic cable, cable modem, and if the deal is right - digital telephone (only because we can have a whole thread about wasted time having a cell phone tied to your ear).

[Chip NoVaMac]

Ok so you reduce TV usage. You'll just fill the void with more internet activity on MR. How sad is that? http://www3.telus.net/poojja/s/weep.gif

Actually as i see it, depending on the threads you are on, and how you use your time; MR and the net can be more beneficial to the mind than what is on TV IMO.

[Blue Velvet]

Ok so you reduce TV usage. You'll just fill the void with more internet activity on MR. How sad is that? http://www3.telus.net/poojja/s/weep.gif

Coming from one of the more prolific posters around here, I find that just a little bit amusing.

[Chip NoVaMac]

We don't even have basic cable, only have cable for Internet.

I really dislike TV - a real time waster.

I use Netflix and we watch what we want when we want to. Regular TV is just....yuck.

You and your other half are better off than my soon to be ex in that regard. As an example he has been in front of the TV all day, except when he went off to his Mom's place. Didn't even to get to watch the Sunday Today Show, since he was watching movies. In the past I was dragged down with is bad habits.

In the end I did not miss it. Sure I may have missed the gadget portion (my fav), or some travel tips (my second fav). Most of what I missed I saw in the Post, or online. Despite my other posting, I am seeing the power of being TV free.

[Nermal]

Since we really only got Sky television for me 4 years ago, we recently got rid of it (last month) because I haven't watched it in months.

I remember pirating Sky a few years ago :eek: but the thrill wore off pretty quickly. The hassle outweighed the benefits.

[velocityg4]

The biggest problem with TV is all of the commercials I hardly turn the thing on because of constant adds. So going a week is no problem. However, I don't think I could give up TV for years like some of you. I couldn't live without Star Trek :D except Voyager that one stunk. I could care less about any other show

[Chip NoVaMac]

The biggest problem with TV is all of the commercials I hardly turn the thing on because of constant adds.

I know. It ticks me off that many shows that start at lets say 8PM, have ads that lead in to the teaser for the show, then they add another 2 or 3 minutes of ads after the teaser. Never noticed this till I got a Cable DVR last year.

[Koodauw]

Coming from one of the more prolific posters around here, I find that just a little bit amusing.

You call them "posts" ?

[iGary]

The biggest problem with TV is all of the commercials I hardly turn the thing on because of constant adds. So going a week is no problem. However, I don't think I could give up TV for years like some of you. I couldn't live without Star Trek :D except Voyager that one stunk. I could care less about any other show

The joy of ordering TV seasons from Netflix.

[DeSnousa]

I find that i watch on average 6hrs a week now. I say now as i recently got the net and im on final year of study. But i must say im not missing it one bit.

[anubis]

I very rarely watch tv shows (maybe 1 per month). Most of my viewing involves watching movies or tv shows on dvd. As a college student, I rarely have any time to sit down and watch tv (unless it's ncaa basketball baby!)

[Mr. Anderson]

I only watch dvds since we don't get out the movies as much any more and the history channel (sometimes SciFi channel).....so its not a regular event. Don't know if I'd be able to give it up next week, but I have gone months without watching it.

Its nice not seeing enough commercials to actually not remember them....:D

D

[mcadam]

Haven't had a TV for 6 years or so... I hate TV, I'm not old eneough to admintrate a TV in my home - much too often I end up watching tv shop, or stupid talkshows all nite long... I'd much rather waist my time on the net then.
And my experience tells me that I WILL do other things to waist time, for a long period I did a lot of crosswords... now it's internet. I think people need a certain dose of "entertainment" that doesn't activate the brain to much!

A

[jayb2000]

I guess my problem with giving up cable is clarity. I enjoy the simpsons, Red Sox, and Patriots, but with buying a house, I find I have been watching lots of remodling, landscaping or other home improvement shows.
However, when we move we are going to cancel cable TV (not internet).

We lived without cable for a year 2 years ago and it was amazing how quickly you realized how much free time opened up.


Forgot to answer the question - I am giving up TV this week.

[munkle]

Thought this article (http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/24/magazine/24TV.html?pagewanted=print&position=) from the NY Times, arguing that watching TV makes you smarter, was particularly relevant to this thread.

[feakbeak]

The joy of ordering TV seasons from Netflix.I second that - just got done running through the first three seasons of Seinfeld even though I had already seen most. I'm currently working on Penn & Teller's Showtime series Bull$h!t.

I watch TV, but not very much. I have about five or six channels I flip through - if I don't find anything that catches my interest I turn it off. History Channel, Discovery Channel, Comedy Central, Science Channel, HBO... that's about it. Every once in a while there is a good prime time show on the networks, but it is rare. I wish I could just pay for these channels. Why must I pay for 200+ channels when most of them are rubbish? Bah!

I won't be participating in turning my TV off for a week. I could easily do it. I often do it without thinking about it. I just think these organized things are silly. What purpose does it serve?

[revenuee]

i've gone without TV -- or really any tech other then my camera

i backpack in the woods < -- don't carry a tv with me

i watch a lot of movies and i subscribe to a lot of movie channels ... i could do without most network TV -- since they got rid of CNN HEADLINE NEWS on my cable provider i've been forced to watch BBC or CBC <-- just terrible broadcasting <-- i watch just regular CNN ... but i miss my headlines < -- started reading the paper more

[Crikey]

The only times I've watched TV since leaving my parents' home in the 1980s are when I've gone back to visit them, maybe once a month. I'd rather they turned it off and talked to me when I make the 3-hour trip there, but they are completely accustomed to the noise and seem uncomfortable without it.

Ooh -- I take that back. The day I switched back to cable Internet service last year, I plugged an old VCR into the TV cable and the output from that into my computer's LCD screen, just to see if it worked. It did. I found there was a whole Star Trek series (called "Enterprise", I think) that I never knew existed. That was the last time I turned it on.

I don't have enough time for all the things I want to do in my real life. I certainly don't want to spend any plugged into someone else's artificial one.

Heh -- maybe I should actually watch TV this week, to add some balance to the universe if everyone else is giving it up.

. . . Nah.


Crikey

[FoxyKaye]

I've been without a TV for months. Best thing I've done for ages -- frees up more time for more rewarding pursuits.
ABSOLUTELY! My partner and I moved in to an apartment with no cable and poor reception and just stopped watching TV in June 2004. Going on almost a year, I've absolutely loved it: no capitalist commercialism in my face, more free time, feeling more relaxed. Here's a short list of things I've accomplished instead of TV:

* Read more than 2 dozen books
* Improved my sewing skills
* Had more time to draw out art/pottery projects
* Gotten in to music DJ-ing and remixing
* Gone out with friends twice as often as I used to
* Gone to some wonderful local cultural stuff
* Went to bed earlier

Basically, the only "show" I'm watching is taped episodes of Battlestar Galactica that a co-worker brings in for me. Other than that, I use Netflix with my partner and watch a combination of Hollywood releases, indy films and documentaries - usually at a rate of 1-2 per week.

Having no TV is awesome. Though now when I do watch it, I barely comprehend it.

[ewinemiller]

Not a problem. It's already been a few weeks. I watched BSG this season and don't see anything interesting enough to turn on the TV until it comes back on in July.

In the time others spend on TV I helped write 3 books, started a successful business, spend more time with my friends (mostly through online games since we are spread out geographically now), and get to spend a ton of time with my kids.

I actually don't understand how folks can just sit and watch hours of TV every day. It's boring and seems like such a waste.

[dornoforpyros]

although I do watch some tv (maby 12-15 hours a week) me and my roommate made the decision that we'd rather pay for highspeed internet than cable TV. Thus we get farmer vision on the bunnny ears. Eh I still get the simpsons 2-3 times day.

[ziwi]

I've been without a TV for months. Best thing I've done for ages -- frees up more time for more rewarding pursuits.

I even posted a thread about it....


I agree 100% with this. Not only is there more time for more rewarding pursuits, but you don't have to get drawn into the idiotic discussions about what happend on a show or whatever - I still don't see how any of it is really relevant to 'life'. ;)

[Lacero]

I will stop watching TV at the beginning of June. It will last for 3 months, then I'll be back to my old habits. How could anyone possibly give up on the second season of Lost? Unimaginable. I'll be taking up trail hiking in the summertime.

[sorryiwasdreami]

I haven't watched the tube in months. I don't even realize that I don't watch it. Movies get played on the imac and I don't do video games.

TV is one of the best ways to scare people into buying into something.

[evilernie]

I have cable, Tivo, and Netflix. So I guess I'm a tv junkie. :D

But yeah, I could do without tv for a week because Tivo would record all my favorite shows for me. I love Tivo, I can watch what I want, when I want and I NEVER have to base my life around a tv schedule.

[zelmo]

There was an article (http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/tv/bal-to.turnoff25apr25,1,6556242.story?coll=bal-artslife-tv) in our morning paper about this week-long challenge, but it advertised it as a week without video input of any kind (TV, DVD, VHS, video games, computers, internet, handheld games, etc.). A slightly different proposition, I think.article (http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/tv/bal-to.turnoff25apr25,1,6556242.story?coll=bal-artslife-tv)

[Lau]

a week without video input of any kind (TV, DVD, VHS, video games, computers, internet, handheld games, etc. A slightly different proposition, I think.article (http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/tv/bal-to.turnoff25apr25,1,6556242.story?coll=bal-artslife-tv)

Actually, not that I am doing this (hence my post) but I think that would be pretty cool. I'm such an email addict, and always just have one little look to see if I have one. :rolleyes:

A week without anything like that would be great. I used to read loads, and don't so much anymore, and a week of reading and music sounds damn good. And I want to learn to knit (again).

[Rantipole]

I'm a big fan of what the adbusters campaign is about, but I no longer give up TV during that particular week.

1) I really don't watch that much TV anyway, and when I do, I do other stuff during the commericals.
2) I literally watch no TV ALL SUMMER. From the final "Simpsons" or "24" in May (whichever ends last), to whenever something comes on in September or October, no TV. (Not counting Netflix, of course).

[wdlove]

I'm definitely watching a lot less TV now than I use too. Spending more time on my Mac in another room than the TV. My wife has a lot of her favorite shows that she watches. We do have an iBook in our MBR, but can't see the TV. Not sure if that counts or not, because I can listen. That usually happens after 10pm.

[Mord]

i watch tv once a week to watch stargate/enterprise/smallville whatevers in season, thats it

the internet is just so much better.

[Hemingray]

TV? What's TV? Seriously though, I never watch it to begin with. Yeah, I miss a *couple* of good shows, but so what? I'd rather waste my time on the internet. :cool:

[kasei]

Give up TV for a week? Hahah been there and honestly I didn't miss it. There is very little to watch on TV now, so it wouldn't be missed..

[pubwvj]

It's TV turnoff week tomorrow. Anyone going to do it?

"TV? TV? What's that?" asks Walter who's not watched TV in decades. (Can't get TV, cable or satellite here on the north side of the mountain. :) )

[beatle888]

It's TV turnoff week tomorrow. Anyone going to do it?

http://www.adbusters.org/metas/psycho/tvturnoff/


i'd go without tv for a year.

[dvdh]

At the same time that we are talking about tossing the tube (even for a week), the top thread on the Community Discussion is in regards to '24'. I keep wonder what I'm missing since I haven't seen a single episode. Tis the life of TV-less folk like me.

Of note: After being TV-less for who knows how many years, of which 3.5 have been at the current address, I still get a monthly call from the local cable supplier offering free 3 month trials. By now I actually looked forward. Nothing in they're cable marketing 'educations' ever covered the correct response to "I don't own a TV." I've had them say everything from "Oh . . .I'm sorry.", to "Wow" or even straight out laughter.

On the bright side of things, not having a TV sure beats having to participate in those 'lets-recount-and-discuss-every-lame-thing-that-happened-on-last-nights-awful-reality-tv-show' discussions at work in the morning.

[munkle]

With so many people saying they're giving up TV for the week and the imminent release of Tiger it looks like we're going to be in for even more server issues at MR... ;)