Is TV really like water, food, sex? A Missed Learning Opportunity

I'm absolutely astonished that our national leaders are contemplating an extension of the TV-signal switch-date from analog to digital.

See the AP article on how Obama has asked Congress to extend the deadline. Or this NY Times article explaining the thinking.

First, let me say that I live in an analog-only TV house that doesn't have a convertor box. We've been thinking of buying a new TV, but we're also thinking maybe the price of TV's will come down after the switch, especially as the economy deteriorates (in which case we might rather have the money for food). Actually, our neighbor just offered us his convertor box, so we'll probably use that.

HOWEVER, what's astonishing is that people are acting like TV is an essential commodity, more like water and food (okay maybe not like sex), than like the optional accessory it really should be.

Here's my counter-proposal. A national month of TV blackout for everyone (analog, digital, networked, etc.). Complete with opportunities for learning, sharing, exercising, perhaps a national dialogue on key issues, and hey, what about reading.

Can we get back to reality?

 

Comments

[Sanjay Nasta]

Will,

Television is BIG business. It is probably more important to the economy than the car business. That is why the govt's subsidizing it.

An argument could also be made that access to Television is necessary for emergency purposes but I suspect that's not the true reason for the subsidy

[Will Thalheimer]

Thanks! Good Point Sanjay.

The point then is that the TV folks (who are beholden to advertisers) need those analog eyes just as much as the digital eyes. Yes, makes sense.

Of course, makes me wonder why commercial interests must always trump societal interests.

[michael cardus]

What I am puzzled about is why people act like they do not know about the switch. They have been offerering discount converter boxes, they have been advertising it for almost 2 years now. When the analog tv test its two or 4 seconds digital signal. They always have people on the news (who are TV watchers!) not sure of what happened. and claiming they never heard of the digital switch?

[Marc by Marc Jacobs Bags]

Neil and his research team were able to isolate