The Idiot Box
Recently, television broadcasts were upgraded to high definition (HD). New recieving equipment is available to display the new HD signal in ever larger screen sizes. Now, 3D seems to be the latest inovation, in part because the increased bandwidth of the HD broadcast spectrum can support the extra information. Cable networks have multiplied such that hundreds of channels are available with most broadcasting 24 hours per day.
Big screens, HD, 3D, hundreds of channels, 24 hours each day -- yet the programming availabe for consumption has gotten worse. With so many slots available for programming, the quality of most programs has gone down, making the name "idiot box" even more appropriate for the media.
My vote for the overall dumbest program goes to Ghost Hunters and any varient of this paranormal search show. Even if what they look for exists, I doubt that their methods would survive a minimum of scrutiny. Most of the show consists of "Did you see that!" and "Did you hear that!" and other nonsense. I doubt that these guys could prove that doughnuts exist at a Dunkin' shop.
The great potential of television as an educational and a meaningful communication tool has been hijacked by advertisers -- mostly bullshit artists -- who deliver the minimum quantity and quality of programming to maintain their audiences.
I think we should go back to the days when only 3 channels were available, and a test pattern replaced all programming at 1 A.M. It's the only way to keep the human race from being transformed into idiots by this box.
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Big screens, HD, 3D, hundreds of channels, 24 hours each day -- yet the programming availabe for consumption has gotten worse. With so many slots available for programming, the quality of most programs has gone down, making the name "idiot box" even more appropriate for the media.
My vote for the overall dumbest program goes to Ghost Hunters and any varient of this paranormal search show. Even if what they look for exists, I doubt that their methods would survive a minimum of scrutiny. Most of the show consists of "Did you see that!" and "Did you hear that!" and other nonsense. I doubt that these guys could prove that doughnuts exist at a Dunkin' shop.
The great potential of television as an educational and a meaningful communication tool has been hijacked by advertisers -- mostly bullshit artists -- who deliver the minimum quantity and quality of programming to maintain their audiences.
I think we should go back to the days when only 3 channels were available, and a test pattern replaced all programming at 1 A.M. It's the only way to keep the human race from being transformed into idiots by this box.
.
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