life without television?

Television has proved that people will look at anything rather than each other.  

~ Ann Landers (1918-2002)

Some may think that in our modern world it is impossible to live without a television.  Most homes in western civilization have not one, but many televisions.

For many years I lived without a television. I wasn't trying to make a social statement. Circumstances in my life had led to a place where there was no TV in my home and I just hadn't felt an urge to change that. In fact, I kind of liked not having one. I felt as if I had gained hours in my day...more time for rest or to do things that mattered.  I felt soooo productive!

My dad came for a visit (when I was single and living in Kansas City) and decided this was a necessity I could not do without any longer, so he graciously bought me a TV. He would have paid for any TV my heart desired. Large flat screens were (and are) all the rage. I chose a 23". I liked it better because it didn't seem to dominate the room. I unpacked the TV, but it required a cable connection and I never quite got around to doing that. So, a few more years passed where a TV was set up in my home, but only operated when watching movies. After Kenyon and I got married, he moved in to my place. We got cable and I didn't like the results.

Once the TV was hooked up to some programming. Gone were the nightly dinners at the dining table. Gone was conversation over dinner. Time seemed to get away from me. I spent less time on things that mattered.

We have now returned to the States.  The TV my dad bought those years ago was stored in my friends home while we were overseas. Once we moved in, it stayed in the box for months. It is now set up for video watching, but can't run any programming as we missed the free adapter phase of the digital implementation and don't have any paid programming set-up.

I feel no desire to change our circumstance in regard to television.  We follow our favorite shows online - CSI and Amazing Race.  I get the news through an app on my phone or online.  Sometimes in the evening we will watch a movie rented from Red Box or the local library.

Without a TV in the home, I read more. I get outside. We converse more. We find other, more productive ways to spend our time.

Life without a TV was a product of circumstance before.  I think it is going to become a lifestyle choice.

just Sheri, a journalism major (and American) with no working television