Could You Do a "Reality Year"? No TV, All TV Viewing Time Spent Learning...

[CorpGovActivist]

... about reality-based problems in your community?

Some friends and I were discussing this idea this week. The rules would be simple:

1. Current cable bill donated monthly to charity of choice.

2. Average TV viewing time in each household dedicated to volunteering, reading, learning, connecting with local community.

3. Uploads to YouTube or other vlog/blog outlets regarding each participant's reality-based year would be allowed.

I'm especially interested to hear from DUers who've already cut the cable.

- Dave

[hlthe2b]

1. you left out dvd rentals. and movies...

I've pretty much dumped tv, but no videos would be considerably tougher...

[CorpGovActivist]

2. A Cottage in Ireland or Scotland, with High-Speed Internet, No TV, No Phones...

... and within stumbling-home distance from a good pub, to finish a manuscript or two, is my ideal.

; )

Thanks for helping close a loophole in the wager before terms are concluded.

- Dave

[hlthe2b]

4. LOL... that reminds me of a contest several years back...

My sister was crushed that she or I didn't hear about it in time to enter. It was to win a pub in Ireland and the winner was the writer of the best essay as to why they wanted to do so.

It is a nice thought, that's for sure...

[CorpGovActivist]

5. Who Sponsored It? Guinness?

That would be awesome!

Wales and parts of England would do, too.

; )

- Dave

[hlthe2b]

9. maybe Guinness....

It's been awhile and I don't remember the details... But, I, too would have jumped at that chance...

[CorpGovActivist]

12. I Wonder If They Awarded a Year's "Inventory"...

... with that?

:rofl:

- Dave

[Bigmack]

27. Can't afford it...

... the dollar has taken such a beating that any little cottage over there is waaaaay beyond our reach.

We looked seriously at a cottage in Ireland in the early 80's - before the boom there - and could afford it nicely. Now? Fuggetabodit.

[CorpGovActivist]

33. Home Prices in the UK...

... fell about 3% this year, according to Bloomberg segment recently.

Even so, the currency conversion rate is a nightmare.

- Dave

[IndyOp]

3. I gave up TV in Sept 2001 - the 9/11 coverage disgusted me to a point that

I simply would not turn it on again. What coverage? FOX News 24/7 coverage that included a skimpily-dressed woman sitting on a desk so that male viewers could fantasize that they could see all the way up her skirt.

In any case - I have my Netflix subscription so I watch 1-2 DVDs per week, although I can and do binge when I have time off of work.

I haven't cut my cable because I need it for my cable modem and I do watch DemocracyNow! and Bill Moyers Journal and Frontline online -- also other various news outlets online like ThinkProgress and GoLeftTV and Al Jazeeera English (link in my sig line).

I don't believe that people can connect with reality unless they give up the tube -- it is mind numbing.

[CorpGovActivist]

7. Very Interesting!

I've heard of many Gen Yers giving up cable and Netflixing it.

You've got a very eclectic mix of outlets; very cool. I'd daresay you have an unorthodox Netflix queue, too.

- Dave

[IndyOp]

11. I am not Gen Y... I am about 20-something years older than the Gen Y's...

But I think my Netflix Queue is pretty unorthodox. What I appreciate about Netflix is that you can click around and find all kinds of titles - foreign films and social justice films and indy films - that you would never find in a Blockbuster or even an upscale national chain. My local library also has a great collection of independent films including a lot of THINKFilms.

My current Netflix queue:

The Gods Must Be Crazy
A Place Called Chiapas
The Children Are Watching Us
Incident at Oglala
Brother's Keeper: 10th Anniversary Edition
Boys Don't Cry
Silent Waters
La Haine
Cafe au Lait
The Da Vinci Code
Thrillers
Cinderella Man
The Whole Wide World
Babel
Stranger than Fiction
Peaceful Warrior
The New Medicine
In Debt We Trust
The Hunting of the President
With God on Our Side
When the Mountains Tremble
The War at Home
Unknown White Male
Raising Cain
Too Hot Not to Handle
Broken Rainbow
Go Further
Sound and Fury
When We Were Kings
Thin
Robert Thurman on Buddhism
I Am a Promise: Stanton Elementary
Can Mr. Smith Get to Washington Anymore?
Promises
The Times of Harvey Milk
Election
The Ice Storm
God Grew Tired of Us
My Flesh and Blood
Out of the Past
A Mighty Heart
Into Great Silence
Griffin & Phoenix
National Treasure
Coach Carter
Mona Lisa Smile
The Straight Story
Welcome to Paradise
Evening
The Painted Veil
The White Countess
The Devil Wears Prada
Flightplan
Emmanuel's Gift
Home
No End in Sight
Writing the Wartime Experience
White Light, Black Rain
Pleasantville

[CorpGovActivist]

13. A Gentleman Never Asks...

... age, but I'd sure like to be shared on your Netflix queue!

: )

- Dave

[Lorien]

24. Lol! I've seen most of those, or I have them in MY Netflix queue!

Funny, the Painted Veil and the White Countess have a very similar tone to them. Might be odd to see one right after the other. Have you seen "The Future of Food"? That was a very memorable (and disturbing) Netflix recommendation.

[IndyOp]

26. Wow! I have not seen "The Future of Food" - I've seen it

recommended here at DU before, but I've not put it in my queue. Truth be told - I know it will freak me out, so I've avoided it. I eat as organic and non-GMO as possible, but I know I need to give up convenience foods and eat more local food.

:(

[Lorien]

29. It's mostly about GMO foods and what Monsanto is up to

so if you are already eating a lot of organic food you won't be too freaked out-just pissed off! It really is amazing; the strangle hold they have on the FDA. :-(

[MasonJar]

6. Give up Keith and Bill Moyer and Mystery? Not likely! More people need to

watch Keith and Bill not less.

[CorpGovActivist]

8. We Might Have to Grandfather in Certain Webcasts...

... of programs such as those; maybe an approved webcast list that doesn't count.

- Dave

[lonestarnot]

10. How about spend less time with cable and more time with

volunteering, reading, learning, connecting with local community. I'm really bad about doing two or three things at once. If I limited myself to one thing, I would probably live longer. :) While I'm reading I need noise or something and music doesn't always work. In winter time, when it gets dark earlier, I confess that I get lethargic and don't volunteer for much of anything. I resolve to do more.

[CorpGovActivist]

15. Merry Multitasking!

I know the feeling; but the whole point of the friendly wager is to see who can remain "master of their domain" on the cable addiction, and have a fulfilling and interesting year.

We discussed cutting back/scaling back as an alternative, and all-or-nothing seemed to be the ante.

- Dave

[conscious evolution]

14. cut loose last year.

Been spending my time volunteering here: http://lcclt.org/
A busy place.We have a lot going on there-kid programs,enviromental and green educational stuff,low cost housing.
Several Pagan,Budhist and othergroups also use the place for their events.
Many in the neighborhood are also active in other progressive causes elsewhere in town.

[CorpGovActivist]

16. Nice to See You!!!

How are you? Warmest wishes to you and yours.

Neat organization; how's the drought affecting you guys? Did the recent storms help?

- Dave

[conscious evolution]

17. Doing fine

We have a deep drilled well with a solar powered pump so the drought has not been to big a problem.The rain is a relief though.We only used the well water for the gardens.Some of the wild green-space suffered.

[CorpGovActivist]

18. Hopefully It's As Hardy...

... as the Georgians tilling the soil.

: )

Sounds like you guys have really created a working, teaching model for the kids.

- Dave

[conscious evolution]

20. That and

a playground for kids of all ages.

[Lorien]

19. I spent most of my childhood without a TV, and haven't had cable in years

my childhood was spent reading, creating art (I'm a professional illustrator and animator now, and I've had a successful career), camping, hiking, riding horses and my bike, and hanging out with friends. It was a far more memorable time than any time since. But I also knew a few other kids without access to television, so I think that made a difference.

For the past five years I've had no cable and could only receive ABC and the CW (and it was a fuzzy picture at that). The only programming I missed was NOW, Bill Moyers, and the Daily Show-and the best bits of those can be found online. My 15 inch TV blew out last week and I replaced it with a cheap 19 inch HDTV which receives free digital stations, so now I have four PBS stations, ABC, CBS, FOX and the CW. I don't plan on watching anything except the PBS stations, which are great (I watched "Christmas at Yellowstone" Sunday night and it was visually breathtaking). I do spend more of my time reading, and I used to volunteering for our local Democratic party and a pet rescue group, but both became so demanding that I had to take a break to get my business back on track.

The thing that strikes me the most as a non-viewer is the uniformity of ideas from regular TV viewers. Even my father, who didn't have a TV for more than 20 years, now talks about Brittany Spears and Paris Hilton as if they were actual issues. Nearly everyone I've talked to this holiday season has wished me "Happy Holidays" then said "Or Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Passover or whatever it is that you celebrate." They never said that before but now they make a fuss about Holiday greetings because Bill O'Rielly told them too. It often seems as if every out of the mainstream idea that I put out there makes me look like a Martian to everyone else, and that was never the case decades ago. It's disturbing and makes me feel entirely out of place in our society.

[CorpGovActivist]

21. "It's disturbing and makes me feel entirely out of place in our society."

You sound like a quality person to me, with solid values, and an appreciation for many forms of beauty. The artisans who produce those forms of beauty (including quality TV programming) are probably "misfits" like you.

: )

Now you have me jonesing for an HDTV, though! Your description of your reaction to Christmas at Yellowstone did it.

Warmest winter wishes,

- Dave

[Lorien]

22. To you too, Dave!

:hi:

Actually, I was surprised by how the prices on those HDTVs have dropped. I got mine, a Sharp, for $345. I really didn't want to buy another TV but I need one for my job, so at least it's a tax write off. And it takes up so little space that it's hardly noticeable.

One thing I've noticed that's odd; the LCD HDTV doesn't emit that high pitched noise that a regular television does, and for some reason I find it less easy to get "transfixed" by anything on the LCD TV-even though the sound and picture are better. Has anyone else noticed this phenomenon?

PBS also had some elaborate holiday pops and choral programs that brought back memories for me of going to the symphony as a child. It seems so much harder these days to get out there and enjoy "real life" entertainment with friends. I don't know if it's for lack of funds, time, or because there's so many entertainment possibilities at home now that people no longer feel the need to get out into the world. :shrug:

[Dunedain]

44. ..

You're good; life needs more of what you are and less of what you describe.

[pitohui]

23. i have never had cable

my approximately one hour of teevee viewing a month would not go very far toward helping my community

this might be an interesting exercise for the true addict tho, maybe give us your youtube link if you do this

to be honest tho in my observation of households w. cable, yes, the teevee is on, but the person is usually cooking dinner, doing the laundry, talking on the phone, answering the mail, or otherwise multi tasking, not simply sitting there and watching teevee, so i'm not sure how much time would really be freed

[baby_mouse]

25. Easy for me, I can't STAND television.

I stopped watching habitually and went out and got a life instead about 5-6 years ago. I never looked back.

[Bigmack]

28. Sorry..

.. some people smoke or drink. I need:

The Daily Show
Keith Olberman
BBC News
The Wire
Local News(?) and weather
Nature
Frontline
Wired Science
Bill Moyers Journal
NOW
Free Speech TV
Documentary Channel
Discovery Channel
Animal Channel

I can multitask... TV on a shelf above the 'puter.

[ecstatic]

31. True. I don't drink or smoke either

I don't watch a lot of TV but it comforts me to at least know it's there. LOL.

[ecstatic]

30. Absolutely not

:)

[gollygee]

32. I could give it up, but my husband would miss it

my daughter hardly watches any tv and I don't watch any. But he likes watching some stuff on TV. Among the things he likes are Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report.

[CorpGovActivist]

34. LOL...Is He on DU?

If so, better hope he doesn't write, "I could give it up, but my wife would miss it," before he sees you already responded.

; )

- Dave

[gollygee]

35. LOL

he lurks but doesn't post much. And he'd agree. We've actually talked about it. I think the money we spend on DirecTV is a waste but he likes it and wants to keep it.

:D

[L. Coyote]

36. No television for 17 years. It was very odd to watch after that, too propaganda-esque

When viewing the first show after 17 years, it seemed like customized social programming for the masses, ergo propaganda to design behavior.

There is a certain suspension of belief required to watch fake life!
Also, you have to create the third dimension mentally.
After 17 years, that is lost and the image is flat.

[CorpGovActivist]

39. Very Rip van Winkle!

Have you found *any* programming worth watching? Very curious...

- Dave

[L. Coyote]

40. I like Reality T-V, like C-SPAN, not much else except Moyers, KO, Frontline

LA LA make believe isn't my cup of tea.

[CorpGovActivist]

41. Your "Outsider's View" ...

... is much appreciated. Any particular impetus for ceasing to watch, or starting to watch again?

: )

- Dave

[mitchum]

43. You are right..."propaganda to design behavior"

yes, it is not just the commercials that are intended to manipulate. That is the pupose of the whole "TV experience"
I gave it up 6 years ago, but always see some around the holidays when visiting relatives. It is wretched in both content and intent.

[no name no slogan]

37. Who, this guy?

Area Man Constantly Mentioning He Doesn't Own A Television

[LWolf]

38. I don't watch enough tv to make it a productive choice.

I have cable for 2 reasons: the people who live at the other end of my house pay for it, and it gets me cheaper internet, here where DSL is not available.

The amount of time I actually spend watching tv is negligible, so I could cut it off without a problem. I won't "cancel" it, since I'm not paying for it anyway, and it doesn't free up money for something else.

Would you like me to promise not to turn the tv on at this end of the house for a year?

[mitchum]

42. Easily; I just spent 2 days with the in-laws and was reminded why I hate TV...

and don't watch it.

[kineneb]

45. no TV since 1979, don't miss it at all, have cable modem

I have come to really dislike the tube. Yes, I can watch DVDs and video tapes if I want, but I rarely do so.

I prefer listening to streaming radio, such as BBC or Deutsche Welle. That way I can knit or spin wool while I listen. I also read most of my news online: Information Clearing House, the Guardian, Asia Times Online, Die Zeit, Der Spiegel and numerous blogs.

[earth mom]

46. I didn't watch much t.v. during the 80s or 90s.

Then hubby and I got a dish in the late 90s and I was glued to that for a few years and as a result was TOTALLY fooled by the "official 911 conspiracy theory" and all the terra terra terra b.s. About 4 years ago, during an extreme budget crunch, we got rid of the cable and at the same time got rid of our dial up AOL and got DSL instead.

WOW, have I had an education since then! :wow:

I don't believe in the official 911 conspiracy theory-it was MIHOP or LIHOP-and I consider myself much more informed than the average person. I still watch T.V., local network channels-mainly reality shows and PBS. The majority of my news and info is found online-here and on several other sites and blogs. Sometimes I'll watch the network news that's on in the middle of the night when I can't sleep and surprisingly it's more informative than the network nightly news which I've turned off in disgust too many times to count. I love to read and I also rent DVDs and get a lot of movies and documentaries from the local library. I'm thinking of signing up for Netflix again though, because I'm tired of waiting months for certain titles.

[earth mom]

47. p.s. Wanted to add that I was always skeptical of the powers that be...

I grew up with my dad saying that most politicians were a bunch of crooks. So I still scratch my head that I let myself believe in the official conspiracy theory about 911. I remember sitting there watching CNN etc., thinking that I wanted more information. And asking myself how were they coming to such ready conclusions about everything? :argh:

I know now that I didn't listen to my gut, but let the talking heads tell me what was what. Once I turned them off and learned the truth, I was pissed with myself because I knew better! But also even more pissed with them for brainwashing the entire country! The corporate media whores are PURE EVIL. :puke: