A Life Without Television
By Rev. Juliet Nightingale
They were first coming out with television when I was a child (yes, I'm giving my age away) with the round black and white screen. In the UK, TV broadcast only operated a few hours per day, then grew and grew in time. I remember as a child that, whenever I saw one of those devices in a room, I'd edge away from it and even try to hide from it! I found it invasive -- even when it was off! I must have sensed the Orwellian ramifications way back then. I hated the thing! Being visually impaired and trying to make any sense of what was on that round B&W screen was more burdensome than I cared to be bothered with ... so I was happy to have the excuse of not being able to see it and disappear -- back to my piano or drawing pad, thank you very much.
Of course, being in different environments at different times throughout my life, I have, indeed, been exposed to television and it did become easier to see once colour was introduced and the screen became larger and more square. It's much easier to discern something when it's in colour. Still, the TV deeply disturbed me and what sent me 'over the top' is when I came to America and saw all of the horrible adverts! I never saw anything so distasteful as American television ... and now the UK has followed suit with implementing advertising and more sensationalism, etc.
As it turns out, I have personally never owned a television -- ever! I've found TV to be extremely harmful, toxic and invasive -- to say the very least -- and it's so full of lies, violence and sensationalism, etc. (not to mention the obsession with sex and nudity); plus there are so many subliminal manipulations going on, I just can't have the thing around.
I live alone, for example, and, whenever I've considered sharing a space with someone else, I insist that I will not live in a place where there's a television present. I still live alone... It's strange, because I see people's homes and pictures of people's homes and they've got the TV and a whole set-up that's more resembling of some kind of shrine -- a SHRINE! -- all centred on television! These flipping things are HUGE! Furthermore, when I'm in someone's space and they've got the TV on, they tend to only half listen to what I'm saying (which is extremely rude) and they're always distracted by the TV flashing in their face. When I state that television is toxic, I'm not kidding! Television does more damage to you than you can even imagine!
Besides all that, I'm way too busy to spend time watching telly. I read a lot, take walks and meditate. I'm a writer, musician, artist; I build websites, run support groups, do counselling and healing work, etc. Where's the time to spend in front of a telly? My computer monitor is enough 'telly' for me! LOL ;) At least I can control what appears on my monitor, however.
Getting back to the Orwellian matter, I firmly believe that TV is used to both manipulate AND monitor us. In fact, years ago, I heard that devices were inserted into newer TVs that enabled the two-way viewing -- just like the telescreen in Orwell's 1984. Graham Nash in his song TV Guide states:
Did you ever wonder why
There are cameras in the sky?
You can see them all on high
Looking at the people
Did you ever wonder when
They'll come and take you in again?
They'll be listening on your line
Looking through your TV
And the ghost of George Orwell
Is turning in his grave
Is everybody a slave?
Did you ever wonder why
There are blinders on your eyes
But they're a blessing in disguise
Check the TV Guide
To me, the TV is used as a brain-washing machine. It's amazing how much it influences people in our western world. Even in dialogues, books and articles, people constantly refer to TV programmes, their characters and content, and yet I've got NO idea what they're talking about! It's strange to realise how much our world revolves round the television!
On another important note, I wrote an article about the dying process and here's what I included therein with regards to television:
"Anyone who's dealing with a dying person needs to switch off the TV and the overhead light! Since one is becoming more removed from the physical plane, the TV blaring is insidious to the one who's in the process of transitioning....
It's a shame that medical institutions—hospitals, hospices, etc.—subject the patient to TV and harsh lights and noises. Whenever I've walked into a patient's room, I've never found anything except a TV and yet nothing for listening to music! One who is dying needs a very serene environment and one that's conducive to his or her process of transitioning. Whenever I've been deathly ill, I've always wanted music and I cannot stress enough how healing and comforting music is. TV, on the other hand, is extremely invasive and is utterly inappropriate for one who is dying and something to be completely avoided."
I'm so pleased and grateful to live a TV-free life and I'm even more grateful for being able to avoid the manipulation, brainwashing, violence and other very harmful effects of watching television. I live a life that's rich and full and who could want more? :)
© 2006 ~ J. Nightingale ~ aLCHEMY ...for Love of Music
Ye shall know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free!
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