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A sudden, severe reaction to a familiar medium

January 13th, 2007 at 04:46 am

Just so you know: I do not hate television. I own a television. I watch DVDs and videocassettes on average of three hours a week. Last week I watched "The Ben Stiller Show DVD." When I go to other people's houses I do not bitch about their television, nor comment on what they watch, nor how many they have. In short, I'm not disruptive, expressive, or rude. I accept the television's place in modern-day family homes.

I am puzzled at my severe dismay about a second television set entering the premises of my favourite cafe, which until last Sunday I adopted as a sanctuary, a home away from home. I had my kid's birthday party there, I spent twice my annual electricity bill amount there on coffee and other treats, made friends there, brought friends there.

There was a television in the back, up some stairs. On or off, it didn't bother me in the slightest. I could stay downstairs if it was on and if it was something I didn't want to watch.

Now I have this curious feeling of intrusion and betrayal because of the television screen added to the main area of the cafe.

Colman McCarthy, professor at Georgetown University and the University of Maryland, explains, "It is a commercial arrangement, with the TV set a salesman permanently assigned to one house, and often two or three salesmen working different rooms." Dr. John Condry, professor of human development and family studies at Cornell University, writes, "The task of those who program television is to capture the public’s attention and to hold it long enough to advertise a product."

I may be feeling out of sorts because I know the cafe is cutting costs, and is having emergency incidental expenses, but the television and microwave oven (a cooking component of the cafe) can't coexist peacefully: the amperage isn't enough for both.

I'd rather the cafe get on its feet, and spend on advertising its own assets and features, rather than buy a set that advertises other products.

Why do I feel like this? Why am I irritated to see the television in elevators, public government waiting lobbies, family restaurants?



7 Responses to “A sudden, severe reaction to a familiar medium”

  1. baselle Says:
    1168665124

    The TV impinged on your "third place". You used the cafe as a third place and now its turning into something less.

  2. DivaJen Says:
    1168666485

    It would bother me too. We watch so little television that when I do see it, all I can think of is the barrage of advertising. It feels insidious, like a violation. I don't go out in public places so that I can watch TV. I go out for solitude, or time with family/friends, but never to watch TV.

  3. paulettegoddard Says:
    1168670175

    Thanks to you both for explaining, and for understanding.

  4. LuckyRobin Says:
    1168680838

    I don't think TV's belong in any restaurant except a sports bar, where you expect one. They can become quite obnoxious and certainly don't let you leave it all behind. I think your feelings are completely justified.

  5. Joan.of.the.Arch Says:
    1168712527

    Wait a minute! Televisions in elevators???? I guess I don't get out much. What a bizarre world with everybody plugged in.

  6. paulettegoddard Says:
    1168714279

    **Joan.of.the.Arch:

    yes. My company's office is in a skyscraper. Apparently people can't get up to the 60th - 80th floors without having commercials and news headlines flash at them. It doesn't make sense to me either, and I've never lived without a television (although now I'm tempted to).

  7. LuxLiving Says:
    1168720225

    I hate TVs in waiting rooms and restaruants...it's always either 1)too loud 2)too soft or 3)wrong channel for someone! Pain in the bumkis!

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