Taking the Tube Underground

What happened when freelance writer Anne Marie Waters moved her television set to the basement?

We’d not committed the heresy of relegating the television to the garage or, worse yet, the trash pile. But apparently even removing it from the place of prominence once held by the family hearth made my kindergartener aware that his family was an anomaly, strangers in a strange land, in the world but not of it.

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Comments

[James D.]

When we moved into our first house a several years back my wife insisted on a cabinet with doors for the television (we didn't get a house with a basement, so the TV was doomed to be on the main floor). We found the doors remaining shut more and more often, and we quickly purged all but the one television from the house.

It still took us a while to cancel our cable service, but now that too is done. We don't have an antenna, so we don't get any channels anyway. Now the television sits there in silence behind those closed doors, seeing the light of day only when we feel like watching a DVD or hooking up the Xbox (which also remains hidden behind those same closed doors).

And of course, most of our friends and family think we've gone loopy. As far as we're concerned we're finally rediscovering our sanity.

[Kathy B]

Our TV sits smack in the middle of the family room, collecting dust. My husband and I slowly stopped watching years ago, as kids and chores took more & more time. We finally got rid of cable a couple of years ago when we figured out how much per hour it was costing when my husband only was watching it a few hours a month. Now we just watch occasional videos. My girls don't really even know what commercials are, and I know exactly what they're exposed to. Most of our family & friends are homeschoolers and they don't watch much either, so we're at least not considered crazy by those we interact most with.

What we've noticed about giving up TV after many years of watching (we can still sing commercial jingles from the 70s), is how much you can regain in your sensitivity towards others and against sin when you get away from the constant bombardment. I can't imagine now watching some of the stuff that I used to. I can't stand now to watch anything rated higher than PG, and even some of that I find offensive if its vulgar.

Its great to see the good effects on our kids, too.Our girls are growing up with books in their hands constantly, even my younger I-can't-sit-still one. They have great imaginations, and use them constantly. They don't need to be entertained as they entertain themselves, and we never hear "I'm bored" (Of course that could be because those words get them chores to take away their boredom...)

[GL]

My wife and I have up watching TV three different times for Lent. The third time seems to have done the trick. We are not total abstainers, but we watch very little TV and most of what we watch would bore the average American to tears. We have one TV in the family room in an entertainment center with doors. The children watch little except VHS tapes and DVDs. My oldest child (6) is developing into a reader; my middle one (4) loves to be read to; the youngest is 6 mos.

A few years ago, a friend wanted to see some scores on ESPN. He opened the door, turned on the TV then seemed perplexed as to why he could not find ESPN. He was crestfallen when I explained that we had only the very basic cable service (less than $10 a month) which only included local broadcast, CSPAN and a few other low value stations--no sports channels at all.

Finally, I am convinced that the most damaging aspect of TV is not the sex and violence, but the constant message that, in the words of the representatives of the Stuff Mart, you need more stuff (from Veggie Tales Madam Blueberry) to be fully human and if you do not have some worthless piece of junk or a bigger and fancier house or a more luxurious auto or a full head of hair or a buff body and on and on and on you are a loser and your life is of no worth. The sense of inadequacy and lack of fulfillment which these messages breed has devastated our families.

I intend to rear my children to recognize these messages for what they are. When my oldest does see an ad on TV or hear one on the radio, she now says, "Their just trying to trick you to get your money, aren't they Daddy?" I smile and hope that I can get her younger brother (who wants everything he sees) and younger sister to understand the same reality.

[Bob Ritchie]

To my wife I pledge that as soon as the following are no longer televised I am ready to cancel cable; Red Sox baseball, the Masters Golf Tournament,and New England Patriot's Football. I am that close, but unfortunately, my brain reports to me that from these three sport sources, I have had moments of unsurpassed entertainment and relaxation.

But wait, I am not finished. I futher resolve to forego "24" and "American Idol" as soon as the sporting events referenced above are no longer on TV.

[Another Janet]

When we moved into a rural area about four years ago, we left the TV behind. The first thing you know, we had time for the family Rosary every night. We had struggled with making a place for this for almost 30 years, and not having a TV made it simple.

My big objections to TV are not so much the horrible programming, although it is certainly horrible. I object to the way it consumes your time and mesmerizes you into watching other people living their (whacko mosty, but sometimes illuminating)lives instead of living your own. I object to the way it force-feeds you rapid bits of information without giving you time to weigh the truth of what you're hearing. I object to the way it DEMANDS your attention. Have you ever gone to a restaurant where there were televisions and tried to keep from looking at them? We used to have our C. S. Lewis Society meetings in a restaurant. Sitting there with some of the best conversationalists that I know, I found my gaze drawn to the TV time and again.

We do have a small TV, but without cable we have no reception. Most of the time we make it sit in a corner behind a chair. We use it to watch DVD's--mostly Dickens and Austen and Wodehouse--and I find that even that is beginning to creep up on us.

[kkollwitz]

My family of six gave up TV for Lent about 10 years ago and have never missed it. Like other posters, we hook up rabbit for Big Events, e.g., 911 and the Olympics.
It was a real surprise how happy the hoousehold is without it.

[Juli]

My wife and I have up watching TV three different times for Lent. The third time seems to have done the trick.

Watching TV for Lent - is that some new kind of penance?

[Richard Oliver]

For the past 2+ years, I've had no access to television programming. From 1974-1992, I didn't own a tv.

It's no sacrifice to be without a tv. It's a blessing.

Dominus Vobiscum,

Richard Oliver

[Bryant Owens]

I have given up TV several different times over the years and have loved that life style. But sadly, it keeps popping back into our lives.

My son did not know what a TV was until he was five years old. Those were blissful times. We bonded as a family well. But then Grandma felt we were neglecting the poor boy and purchased a satellite system for us and had it installed. I protested, but since she was not my mother, I had to submit to my wife's wishes. This was a major downturn in our family life. We grew apart. My son new more about Sponge-Bob than he did me.

I was successful in removing the TV when my son and I lost Karen to cancer four years ago. But now that I am remarried, the TV is back...bigger than ever. We have a big screen given as a present from Grandpa.

My attempts at removing this monstor in our upcoming move to seminary is proving impossible. We can't insult Grandpa.

It seems that others consider my TV ban foreign...weird...not natural. And so many loved ones find it their duty to fix us.

Personally, I wish we could just blow the things up. I miss my boys.

[HH]

I've not had a TV of my own. When I left home, my college roommate had one, so I never bothered. Once I was in language school in the Army, I literally did not have time. We once had an inspecting Sergeant Major come in and he was absolutely flummoxed by the dearth of television sets! (HE'D never attempted to learn Korean or Arabic in 15 months.) With all the moves and deployments I don't see much point now. There are TVs in the common areas in the barracks, and I listen to the radio for news, mainly NPR. I also read newspapers, on and offline, and use my computer to watch DVDs of movies or individual television series.

I can't say that I miss TV. It is nice not to constantly be sold something. I don't know if I will own a television when I get married, but my inclination is not to, or to only use it to watch DVDs. I seem to have hours more in the day than my friends, even if they all think me a bit strange for not having a TV and not catching their references to the latest episode of LOST.

[Riya]

Heres what I found on the DirectTV website about Friday Night Lights .DIRECTV IS TURNING ON FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTSThis fall, see all-new eopisdes of Friday Night Lights—uncut and commercial-free—only on DIRECTV, months before they air on NBC in 2009. Don't miss an episode of this award-winning drama series.Tune in to The 101ae Network Wednesdays, 9pm, beginning October 1.Re-airs Fridays at 9pm. Presented by Vaseline Wolverine.I know this doesn't answer your question about watching online but it does say that in 2009 NBC will be airing FNLs .I'm a HUGE fan of this show too ..and I've been thinking more and more about switching from Time Warner Cable (very similar to Comcast) to a satelite company b/c TWC keeps messing with all the channels there. I just found out last night that as of October 2nd, TWC will no longer carry The CW I watch enough shows on The CW to justify it to myself to switch ..if I end up with DirectTV I won't have to wait for FNLs but if I don't switch, I will have to wait!I can't wait to find out whats going to happen between Tyra and Landry ..

[Kalila]

Potrebbe anche non essere aftatfo male ma voglio aspettare qualche news in pi anche per la trama ed il game play. Comunque devo dire che mi sembra che qualcosa si stia muovendo.