This is just a thought. I've recently decided to quit drinking soda, being that soda is one of the worst beverages to drink. It's a little late for New Year's resolutions, but I began to think what other wasteful things could be cut from my lifestyle, like TV watching. I don't think of myself as much of a TV watcher, but I do have certain shows I watch regularly, and I watch at least 10 hours of television a week, possibly more if you include movies. I grew up in a household where the TV was always on, and I am used to watching my fair share of TV. My hope is to quit soda cold turkey. Two weeks into it-- so far, so good. What if I were to abstain from watching television for a year? Could I do it? I don't know. I look back and think about all the hours of my life I've wasted vegging in front of the television. I used to think it that was the norm, and maybe it is, but then again, maybe it isn't. It gives me something to think about.
This poem from grade school comes to mind...
Jimmy Jet And His TV Set
by Shel Silverstein
I'll tell you the story of Jimmy Jet --
And you know what I tell you is true.
He loved to watch his TV set
Almost as much as you.
He watched all day, he watched all night
Till he grew pale and lean,
From "The Early Show" to "The Late Late Show"
And all the shows between.
He watched till his eyes were frozen wide,
And his bottom grew into his chair.
And his chin turned into a tuning dial,
And antennae grew out of his hair.
And his brains turned into TV tubes,
And his face to a TV screen.
And two knobs saying "VERT." and "HORIZ."
Grew where his ears had been.
And he grew a plug that looked like a tail
So we plugged in little Jim.
And now instead of him watching TV
We all sit around and watch him.
