DID YOU SEE THAT? The “good guy” is a murderer, the “heroine” can’t live without sex until the next commercial, and we’re supposed to cheer at the explosions and torture of the “bad guys.” Such is typical TV and movie fare. Violence, cruelty, and lust not only sell, they also demean life. And they feed our culture of violence/cruelty/life-is-cheap. Our refusing to watch these programs and movies is a personal step away from that negative, harmful culture. Going another step forward, we can explain to our kids why our family doesn’t watch them, thus raising a more caring, sensitive next-generation. One more step is to write letters to the theater, TV station, film-maker, and advertisers, reminding them that their profits depend on giving us what we want to see. If I do that, and so do you, and our friends, and their friends…. It’s the snowball-effect. What better time than now, during the cold of winter, to get that snowball rolling?
Tag Archive for TV
Think You Can Unplug?
Tonight we begin a National Day of Unplugging (March 1 into 2). During this annual event, we’re urged to take an electronic Sabbath, a day of rest from anything that’s plugged into the wall—or into our ears, whether through ear buds or that invisible cord leading from a device into our minds: phones, iPods, computers, tablets, TVs, etc. The period is sunset to sunset, so it won’t interfere with work for most of us. Doing this will remind us how dependent we are on electronic devices, how much they control our lives and often take precedence over interacting with other people. So, slow down your hectic world, and enjoy it more. Share an uninterrupted dinner with your family, undivided attention at your child’s ball game, more focused listening to what your spouse is saying, more time to read that little one to sleep, a chance to discover what’s going on in the lives around you, the peace of just being. The plugged-in addiction isn’t easy to de-tox from, but…who knows? After doing it once you might want to make it a weekly habit.
“Funny” TV Ads
Gotta love those funny TV commercials! How about the ad where one guy hits another in the head with a cell phone, twice, or where a woman bounces a cue ball off the forehead of an obnoxious man? Then there’s the guy who breaks down a wall to be allowed to answer a quiz question. We’re supposed to laugh, of course. If we do, though, what we’re telling our kids is that violence is both an acceptable response to minor irritants and funny. It’s time to change this way of thinking. We start not by laughing at the aggressive scene but by using the ads as a chance to talk to our kids about violence against our fellow humans. Our discussion will likely bring out stories of similar antagonism on the playground or among their friends and give us a chance to offer guidance in how to handle such situations.
Now, That’s Solid(arity)!
Even if you’re not a member of a faith that believes in the principle of Solidarity, for all of us it’s an important part of getting along in this huge world of ours. And it simply begins with getting to know other cultures. One way to do this fits in with what we do anyway. Go ahead and watch TV, surf the net, browse through the library, help the kids with homework. Before starting, though, choose a third-world or impoverished area you know little about (from Africa to Appalachia) and plan to learn all you can about its history and its people, including the hardships they face. Compare your own family’s beliefs and values with theirs. Make a habit of watching for newspaper articles and TV programs about that area and listening for news stories about it. But don’t be surprised when you start feeling a kinship with those previously unfamiliar people. That’s the idea; that’s SOLIDARITY!
TV is Promoting Positive Change
I’ve been pleased with some TV programs, notably “The Good Doctor,” “Born This Way,” and “Speechless.” Finally! Shows that depict people with disabilities as having actual real productive lives. More series now include characters in wheelchairs, for example, as part of their regular cast as opposed to window-dressing gliding through in the background.
I have a physical disability, weakened by polio. But I’m educated, successful, and have a full life–like almost all of my disabled friends. For too long we didn’t see people like us on TV or in the movies (they haven’t evolved yet, though). On the rare occasion that a disabled person appeared, they were those background-gliders, extras in a hospital, or beggars on the streets.
This new trend is having an effect, too. With a tightening job market, employers are actually looking toward hiring people with disabilities. In fact, job statistics show rising employment of that segment of the population.
I’m starting to feel represented. And I’m seeing more people like me working in shops and venues I frequent. It’s about time!
You Gotta Watch this Show!
Why didn’t someone tell me about this program? It’s well into its second season and I’ve just started watching it. I’m glad I have On Demand to look back at old episodes.
I’m talking about “United Shades of America.” The host, W. Kamau Bell, travels all over to look at how various issues affect real people. It’s not a dry documentary, thanks to the host’s humor (he’s a comic) and his conversations with people he agrees with, disagrees with, and others in between. A person who isn’t keen on guns, he bought one and talked to people about why they’re important. He visited a KKK meeting and talked to Klansmen as they burned a cross (note: Bell is Black). He went to a hard-core prison and mixed with the inmates.
I enjoy the show because he, like me, takes a slightly sideways look at life and situations, delving into the oddities and people experiencing them–all in a straightforward, human way.
The show is on CNN on Sundays at 7 P.M. in my area. Look it up and give it a try.
Stop Being Plugged for a Day
On this National Day of Unplugging (March 3-4) we’re urged to take an electronic Sabbath, a day of rest from anything that’s plugged into the wall—or into our ears, whether through ear buds or that invisible cord leading from a device into our minds: phones, iPods, computers, tablets, TVs, etc. The period is sunset last night to sunset today, so it won’t interfere with work for most of us. Doing this will remind us how dependent we are on electronic devices, how much they control our lives and often take precedence over interacting with other people.
So, slow down your hectic world, and enjoy it more. Share an uninterrupted dinner with your family, undivided attention at your child’s ball game, more focused listening to what your spouse is saying, more time to read that little one to sleep, a chance to discover what’s going on in the lives around you, the peace of just being. The plugged-in addiction isn’t easy to de-tox from, but…who knows? After doing it once you might want to make it a weekly habit. And the Earth will appreciate the energy-savings.
Start now, by turning off the device you’re reading this on.
Grandkids Then and Now, Pt. 2
When I saw this, written by Annie Korzen and published in the AARP Bulletin (May 2016), I alternated between chuckles and nodding in agreement. Because I like to keep my posts short, I’m dividing this up into a few, spread-out posts. If you’d like to see Part 1, go to https://smthingscount.com/2016/05/11/grandkids-then-and-now-pt-1/.
I’m a new grandmother [says Annie Korzen], but am I cot out for it? Look at how differently I raised my son from how he’s raising his.
TV — Then: All hail the world’s cheapest babysitter! Now: No screen time before age 2; you wanna rot his brain?!
Birthdays — Then: Eating candy apples. Now: Gift bags from Apple.
Babysitters — Then: You hired the teen next door, then prayed the house wouldn’t reek of pot when you got home. Now: Vetted by Homeland Security, then tracked by nanny cam.
Boomerang kids — Then: “We changed the locks!” Now: Your college grad moves home while “looking for a job”–which suspiciously mimics playing video games.
[Watch for more, in Part 3. And, grandparents, just enjoy the kids!]
Cut That Cord!
Tonight we begin a National Day of Unplugging (March 4-5). During this annual event, we’re urged to take an electronic Sabbath, a day of rest from anything that’s plugged into the wall—or into our ears, whether through ear buds or that invisible cord leading from a device into our minds: phones, iPods, computers, tablets, TVs, etc. The period is sunset to sunset, so it won’t interfere with work for most of us. Doing this will remind us how dependent we are on electronic devices, how much they control our lives and often they take precedence over interacting with other people. So, slow down your hectic world, and enjoy it more. Share an uninterrupted dinner with your family, undivided attention at your child’s ball game, more focused listening to what your spouse is saying, more time to read that little one to sleep, a chance to discover what’s going on in the lives around you, the peace of just being. The plugged-in addiction isn’t easy to de-tox from, but…who knows? After doing it once you might want to make it a weekly habit.
Tread Lightly–or Not at All
Get in shape to wear all those nice, revealing party dresses throughout November and January. But be considerate of everyone else on earth while you do it. One way is to stay off of the gym’s treadmills. You’d be surprised at how much fossil-fuel energy is used by the large building’s AC kept high for exercisers, plus power to the treadmill and TV in front of it—it’s like leaving on 50 CFLs or three or four 46″ LCD TVs during your workout! Instead, use machines powered by humans–or run outdoors and soak up nature.
[For more easy, money-saving, earth-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to www.Smashwords.com/books/view/7000 or your favorite e-book seller and download to your computer or e-book device. Totally free, with no strings attached.]