Question for DUers who watch TV all day

[slackmaster]

Why do you do that?

[mikelgb]

1. I am reformed

no telescreen service and no ant.

have a wii and a ps2 that plays dvds

I watch certain series on dvd, or hook up a pc and watch youtubes or other web content

you can pretty much watch anything you want online

really only use it for a few hours every night and on the weekends

but I am in front of a monitor all day

[Forkboy]

2. I know. it's insane.

I listen to music all day instead.

:hide:

[slackmaster]

23. I watched TV all day when I was a small child, to the extent my mom would permit it

I think it's a bad habit for SOME people.

As an adult I've never been able to stand having a TV on during daylight hours. I rarely turn it on before 7:00 PM in the winter, later in summer.

[Forkboy]

37. I watch very little for the most part.

I'm like you, I don't like it until later in the day, and even then I don't watch it very much. I do have my movie phases though where I watch a ton of them in a short time, but that's rare. Hockey is the only thing I watch regularly. I went years without cable and didn't miss it, and if it wasn't included where I am I wouldn't have it now either. :)

[acmavm]

43. My Mom had a system. We got up in the morning and right after

the last bite of cereal we were out the door whether we wanted to or not. All we had to do was show for meals.

And we couldn't sit around and watch tv all night either. We got certain shows and that was it. Flintstones, Jetsons, Mickey Mouse Club, etc. Saturday morning was our day for tv. We could watch tv all morning and then at noon my brother and I walked down to the Snack Shack to pick up hamburgers for lunch. 12 for a dollar. The were kinda small but hell, for 3 buck, we had 36 of the puppies and we could gorge. And they were the BEST HAMBURGERS I'VE EVER EVER EATEN.

My tv blew up a couple weeks ago and I haven't replaced it. I have an old one that has a predominantly yellow tint to everything and that's what I have in my living room. I don't have the money to invest in a new one, and I don't really care.

[Marrah_G]

3. I don't have a tv where I work.

But at home the TV is usually on, even if I am not actively watching it.

Why? probably the same reason some folks listen to the radio.

Sadly here in the most Liberal Democrat state....we have only extreme RW radio talk shows.

[liberalsince1968]

4. I'm retired and I watch TV all day. Why do you care?

[Hieronymus]

11. Excellent question...

[slackmaster]

13. I ask out of curiousity, because a large number of posts on DU concern what's on the tube right now

Frequently without enough context to make any sense at all to someone who does not happen to be watching the same channel as the person who started the thread.

It's not uncommon to see thread titles like "Who is this RW motherfucker?" without any explanation as to what channel the poster is watching.

[liberalsince1968]

16. Then you should have asked why people do THAT. Not why people watch TV all day. One has nothing to

do with the other.

[slackmaster]

30. No, why they do THAT is not hard to figure out

I am simply asking why people watch TV during the daytime.

[PretzelWarrior]

54. if you hate that....you will totally hate twitter.

perfect expression for people who like the idea of blogging but never complete a thought.

[napi21]

5. I always have the TV on in the background, and usually tuned to

CNN, MSNBC, C-Span, and on rare occasions CNBC. I realize I can't believe EVERYTHING I hear, but by listening to all the different reports, you can usually sort out the BS from what's real.

[tosh]

9. Same as napi21.

I don't actually watch anything until Oberman & Rachel, but I keep it tuned in to CNN, C-Span or Bloomberg for audio.

[pipi_k]

6. Same as a couple of the others

I'm retired. TV is on in the background while I do other things.

I don't actively sit and watch it until after dinner, and usually it's Science, History, or some other kind of "educational" program (actually I love "How It's Made").

Or sometimes a dvd.


There are even times that the TV isn't even on, just for the pure enjoyment of silence


:)

[Boomerang Diddle]

7. As opposed to posting on message boards all day?

n/t

[slackmaster]

14. I can do that at work while waiting for files to copy, programs to compile, etc.

At least posting on message boards involves interaction with live people, insane and dysfunctional as some of them may be.

[WI_DEM]

17. Don't act so high and mighty

there are people on DU who are handicapped or elderly and are keeping up with what is going on by watching television. It might be hard for them to get out or it might be a cruddy day weather wise. There are others who might be working at home, who have the television on in the background--and they hear something. Or, maybe there are people who enjoy watching television. Big deal.

[slackmaster]

31. I'm not being judgmental

I'm just asking a question.

[Boomerang Diddle]

18. Not necessarily.

Someone could write a post and then drop dead, and you come around 15 minutes later and respond, which means you are having interaction with dead people...............
}(

[Urban Prairie]

57. On my hometown's website messageboard

There are threads where I replied to other posters who are now deceased. I come across them on occasion when a member decides to resurrect them or link to an old topic, kinda creepy to reread them in a way, like a message from the grave...

:yoiks:

[liberalsince1968]

21. So you judge people for watching TV at home all day, while you go online at WORK! LOL!

[slackmaster]

22. Going online at work makes perfect sense for a systems administrator who runs commercial Web sites

;-)

[liberalsince1968]

28. DU is soooo relevant to your job, I'm suuuuuuure.

[slackmaster]

29. I figure if I can get to it through WebSense, it's kosher

;-)

[Egnever]

34. if you are a system admin and you cant figure out what is and isnt a kosher website

without a filter , I feel sorry for the company that hired you.

[slackmaster]

35. If I want to look at something that is filtered out by WebSense, I can get around it

Your insulting remark is not called for.

[Egnever]

38. Says the guy with a hard on for people that watch TV

I should hope you can get around it if you are the sysadmin. If you cant then you need a different title like maybe head web surfer or something.

The fact that you think its perfectly acceptable to surf the web on company time but want to criticize people for what they do at home on their own time says loads about you.

[slackmaster]

40. You fail as a mind reader

I wrote exactly what I meant, and I meant exactly what I wrote.

The fact that you think its perfectly acceptable to surf the web on company time but want to criticize people for what they do at home on their own time says loads about you.

The fact that you accuse me of criticizing people when I clearly have not, says a lot about you.

[OHdem10]

8. I monitor all the Channels on TV. No, I am not there all day but

I have the time and I firmly believe Democrats who "turn their nose
up at others who do, hurt themselves and their party.

Reason # l for watching TV. In the great scheme of things, activists
like us are only a small percentage of the society as a whole.
Everyday, rank and file Americans get any information they have from
Television. I believe it is imperative that Democrats know and
understand what is being put out there to the American People.
How can you correct the Image of the Democratic Party if you choose
not to learn what is being spread.

2. Rank and file everyday Republican citizens make it their business to watch TV. Using their numbers who watch, they EMail, call on the
Phone, write letters to TV Channels when they are unhappy with
the way the story is framed. Why do you think all these Hosts
are breaking their necks to say--The Republicans say........"
Years ago, the GOP learned the power of TV and how to influence
what takes place.
Again, I at least want to know what is going on. If we are not
careful the GOP will be back in power and Democrats will be sucking
their thumbs saying "Duh"

Submitted with utmost respect,

It is fine to consider yourself an intellectual --in fact, a good
thing. A serious activist needs to know what is happening on
the ground--so they know common sense ways to deal with the opposition
party and not let them gain ground. TV is still the Battleground.
In other words, it is importants that we know and have the truth
(can get this other than TV) --however, we must spread to truth
and reach the American Citizens.

[YvonneCa]

45. GREAT post. n/t

[jenmito]

10. I am disabled. Can't work anymore. n/t

[slackmaster]

15. That's a very good reason

I know a few people who are disabled. TV provides entertainment and distraction for them.

[otohara]

56. Handicap Has It's Privileges

Besides getting the okay to watch lots of TV, we also get special parking spaces.

I watch plenty of TV - including C-span, History Channel, National Geographic, tons of movies, I have all the movie channels(can't get out much to the theaters) Documentary Channel, Frontline, Bill Moyers, Bill Maher, Chris Matthews, KO, Rachel, Jon Stewart, Steven Colbert, the occasional soap, and the much hilarious The Real Housewives of Orange County.

Not all TV is bad TV, and even if I didn't have these pesky problems with post-polio, I'd still watch TV.

[Vinca]

12. I work at home and keep either the news or CSPAN on in the backround.

I do it because I like to be informed and can do several things at once.

[alsame]

19. Same here. When the phone rings I mute the TV, otherwise it's

on in the background.

[Rowdyboy]

20. Recovering from surgery....can't do much else until late next month

Watching "Frailty" right now.

[Jennicut]

24. I stay home with my kids and get bored. Its on in the background.

You try staying home all day with no adult contact...it would drive anyone crazy. Also, its not on all day but mostly I watch the news in the morning. My 3 and 4 year old want nothing to do with the tv most of the time, they play in their toy room and occasionally ask to watch a video like Wall-E or something. When I start working as a preschool teacher, when the girls are in school full time, I won't watch so much tv!

[Avalux]

25. I'm new to the watching TV all day thing -

it was a little fun and fascinating at first. I don't really watch though; have it on the background while I do other things like looking for a job and working on art projects.

:hi:

[mscuedawg]

26. I work from home...I dont "watch" all day...but I do have CNN or MSNBC on all day...

I do medical transcription for a large city Hospital...helps to know if there's a weather condition or something that might create a surge in the workload...the rest, aka politics, is just a fringe benefit...cuz I'm a political junkie! :bounce:

[Clio the Leo]

27. I certainly dont watch all day but I sure am glad I got to watch today's speech! NT

[slackmaster]

32. This is a perfect example of what I mentioned in reply #13

I have absolutely no idea what speech Clio is talking about.

:-)

[OKNancy]

39. It's because you don't watch tv or read the news! It was probably one of the most

important speeches Obama will give.

I love trashy reality shows btw. Hope that doesn't mess with my liberal credentials

[slackmaster]

41. I read a newspaper every day

There was nothing in it this morning about the speech Obama had not yet given.

[Clio the Leo]

50. Generally I see your point.....

.... I check the board on my break via my iphone and see posts where I'd like to see more context ....... HOWEVER lol ...... we've known he was gonna go to Camp Lejune and give a speech about the Iraq withdrawl since Tuesday AND there were at least two threads on "the speech" already.

I can be nit-picky right along with the best of them.

But then again, there's a reason why I read Politico and The Page BEFORE I read the board when I'm on the afore-mentioned lunch break. So I'll have a clue. ;)

[JitterbugPerfume]

33. why do you want to know?

some days I do , some days I don't.

[slackmaster]

36. Already answered in reply #13

:hi:

[Ikonoklast]

42. No work, and it's a shitty day out.

Kitties are all sleeping, so I have no one to play with.

When I am working, there are weeks, months that go by that I never get to sit and watch TV at all. When I get home, it's usually for less than two days; I sleep in my own bed, do some paperwork, write some checks, and back out on the road.

If it wasn't for the web and satellite radio, I wouldn't have a clue as to what's going on in the world.

[quiller4]

44. I'm retired. The TV is on when I'm home as I work around home

It is usually tuned to MSNBC but I switch to CNN or CSPAN once in awhile. Since I retired I took on two volunteer jobs that have me out of the house on Tuesday and Friday. The rest of the week I'm home and usually knit in front of the TV in the afternoons. I also read a daily paper (print) and spend significant time online reading, too.

[Duer 157099]

46. Might as well just ask why the stations broadcast 24/7

Isn't that the same question, essentially?

[Harry Monroe]

47. Why do you care?

Not that I watch TV all day, mind you. I usually listen to Sirius Satellite Radio all day. I've always enjoyed music in the background.

And the answer to your question may be the same answer as to why dogs lick their balls:

"Because they can"

[H2O Man]

48. Just in case.

Some days, I do not watch tv at all. Other days, I watch it through the day. I do so for one of two reasons: (1) if something that I think is important is going on (such as the election); and (2) because I'm physically disabled, and some days can do little else. I prefer to read, but that isn't always an option.

[iamthebandfanman]

49. while not ALL day, id hafta say

i do it because it entertains or amuses me in some way. i have to admit ive toned down a bit on my news channel watching, but i do still turn it on c-span for periods of time.

i mostly watch random comedy shows these days, to be perfectly honest with you.

i like to laugh, what can i say?

[Undercurrent]

51. These are Obama's

media monitors. They read the papers, listen to the radio, surf the web, and watch TV. (sorry I can't find the whole story about their job



It's important for all of us Democrats to know what the the media is peddling, for the very reasons OHdem10 stated in post #8. Know your enemy.

[cliffordu]

52. Cause I like keeping a real close eye on The Man....I can see him inside my teevee.

Ever notice how they don't have tin foil commercials on television anymore???

I'm just sayin'

:tinfoilhat:

[eridani]

53. I never watch it in real time

Longer-running shows that are good usually wind up on DVDs, and I watch YouTube excerpts for current events.

[PretzelWarrior]

55. I watch tv at work while waiting for files to load and programs to compile

I also stab myself with needles from time to time because I'm just that masochistic. Oh, and I understand why you asked. I think. I, too, wonder why we drive ourselves crazy over the TEEVEE idiot box especially cable talk TV.

I really don't watch at all other than during the election...then nonstop at election night and the day after...then huge break with no TV then the inauguration.

Now the only cable talk TV I get is from watching Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert make fun of them when I watch their shows on my laptop.

People should try more reading.

[Fearless]

58. Know thy enemy!

[obiwan]

59. My wife and I are disabled.

When you are disabled and pay two mortgages, that's about all you can afford to do. Try doing that in California on $36000 a year.

[Numba6]

60. Watch TV? Why, are all the porn sites on the intertubes clogged up?

[LWolf]

61. More specifically,

why do people who constantly bitch about the MSM stay glued to it, and support it only as long as it reflects their "side?"

[Trajan]

62. A tacit ad hominem

I am pretty sure you regret this lame thread ....

[mokawanis]

63. Keeping the tv off pays big dividends

I turn the damn thing off in the evening and write for an hour whether I feel like it or not.

[Politics_Guy25]

64. Working from home

does have it's benefits:)

[WinkyDink]

65. What's it to ya? Keep your nose in your own trough.