Has anyone forsaken their television for any length of time?

[Gnarlo]

Starting to sound like one of those groups you get into where the RPG snobs sniff and say "I don't play D&D..." .

Yeah, I watch TV. Gave it up for 7 years back post-college due to living in an area with no cable and only had rabbit ears. Still had a TV to hook my C64 up to Missed a lot of crap, but missed a lot of nice stuff, too. Same thing today, watch a lot of Discovery, History, Science, Cartoon, etc channels; catch a bit of soccer (still can't wrap my head around Greece winning), and catch the occasional piece of fluff. There are plenty of times when I have a bad day at work like someone dying despite all you've done for them that it's nice to have some brainless fluff to come home and veg out in front of.

So yeah, watch some TV if you want. Avoiding it is not going to make you a more moral or better person. Gods know sitting in front of this CRT here and typing isn't any more strenuous then flipping a remote.

 

[Tarrasque Wrangler]

I just gotta say, what kills me in discussions like this are people who say "I only own a TV to watch DVDs on." Like there's some kind of difference between watching Hollywood swill over cable and watching Hollywood swill on an aluminum plate.

You're sitting on your couch, eyes glued to the screen? CHECK. You've got a remote at your side? CHECK. Guess what? YOU'RE WATCHING TV.

I'm an unapologetic TV fan. But just because I own a 51" HD monitor doesn't mean I have to watch crap on it. In fact, having an expensive TV was impetus to seek out quality stuff to watch it on so I could feel like I got my money's worth.

For the record, Sopranos, Six Feet Under and what I've seen of Deadwood beats just about any movie I can think of, with rare exception.

 

[Davelozzi]

For the record, Sopranos, Six Feet Under and what I've seen of Deadwood beats just about any movie I can think of, with rare exception.

Agreed, although I really only watch Six Feet Under to have hang time with my wife, I could easily go without.

In general, I can and have gone without TV and not missed it at all. If my wife didn't want one, I'd be perfectly happy not to have one.

 

[Elf Witch]

I just gotta say, what kills me in discussions like this are people who say "I only own a TV to watch DVDs on." Like there's some kind of difference between watching Hollywood swill over cable and watching Hollywood swill on an aluminum plate.

You're sitting on your couch, eyes glued to the screen? CHECK. You've got a remote at your side? CHECK. Guess what? YOU'RE WATCHING TV.

I'm an unapologetic TV fan. But just because I own a 51" HD monitor doesn't mean I have to watch crap on it. In fact, having an expensive TV was impetus to seek out quality stuff to watch it on so I could feel like I got my money's worth.

For the record, Sopranos, Six Feet Under and what I've seen of Deadwood beats just about any movie I can think of, with rare exception.

Amen. I really like when people say I don't watch TV I spend the time surfing the internet or playing games. Like that is some how better than watching TV.

I love watching TV. The first thing I set up when I move is my TV, DVD and VHS.

Now I don't mindlessly watch I don't have it on for background noise. I usually tape the shows I watch and then sit down when it is convient and watch them while speeding through the commercials. Some seasons I watch more than others it depends on what is on.

I also read a great deal and do other hobbies.

 

[Mark Chance]

Has anyone done that in this day and age? How did it affect your life? Do you even miss it after a point?

Lots of people don't watch much or any TV at all. One of my favorite magazine editors (Karl Keating), last I read, didn't even own a TV. Another favorite, Richard Neuhaus, avoids TV in favor of other activities, such as reading, talking with friends, writing, et cetera.

A few years ago, we (meaning wife, kids, and I) gave up TV for Lent. It was quite an eye-opener. We'd get home by 5:00 p.m. By 6:30 p.m., we'd all done everything we would normally do in the evening that didn't involve watching TV. While it was bothersome at first listening to the children complain and bargain (thought: don't junkies also complain and bargain when cut off?), I must admit that not watching TV two or more hours a day had an overall positive effect.

 

[sellars]

I haven't had a TV while I was a student. I didn't miss it one bit. I got a TV again when my girlfriend moved in with me, and I don't watch it very much.

I like having it for the DVDs I have, but other than that, I could do without it.

Dutch television is really a bore (especilly in the summer)

 

[Gez]

I never watch it, except sometimes to watch a new DVD. I could as well just watch them on the computer, it's just that the quality is better on a bigger screen and with a fully-dedicated DVD player.