The Plug-in Drug by Mike Rogers

[cousinlucky]

Back in the 1950's when I was in the fourth or fifth grade I got very sick while I was at school. The nurse tried and tried my home phone number but it was busy.

Eventually she called my stepfather who had to leave his job and come to the school to take me home. When we got there my mother was still on the phone talking to my aunt as they watched the soap operas on television. ( they did this every day )

My parents made me go to my bedroom but you could have heard them yelling at each other a block away. The TV and the effects it had on their marriage eventually caused them to separate.

This wonderful article by Mike Rogers brought that pain back into my mind. I have emailed a link to the article to some of the young adults in my family that have small children and controversy naturally ensued. I have not watched commercial television for years but I'm an old man that can't stand advertizing or programs for dimwits.

I am hoping that those of you with small children find this article of interest.

The Plug-in Drug by Mike (in Tokyo) Rogers

[jayd512]

A very insightful article. Makes you really think about how much is truly spent in front of the TV. And how many people really do use it as a convenient baby-sitter.

[cousinlucky]

I emailed Mr. Rogers to let him know how his article " hit home " with me. I also discovered that Mr. Rogers dislikes cell phones just as much as I do.

[elija]

I emailed Mr. Rogers to let him know how his article " hit home " with me. I also discovered that Mr. Rogers dislikes cell phones just as much as I do.

So I am not the only person in the World who hates cell phones. I don't know
whether to be happy that I am not a lone nut, or disappointed that I am not
unique.

[questio verum]

I emailed Mr. Rogers to let him know how his article " hit home " with me. I also discovered that Mr. Rogers dislikes cell phones just as much as I do.

As you may already know, that is also the stance of FOSS pioneer Richard Stallman. With all the privacy invasion we deal with today, it doesn't seem unfeasible that things such as cancer or cell phone tracking should be a valid concern.


qv

[techieMoe]

Although I agree that small children should have limited to no TV time, the author of this article just comes across as a self-righteous jackass to me. He pigeonholes "TV" into just "watching shows that are broadcast on it". He doesn't even touch on movies or video games. There's more to having a television than broadcast TV.

He makes broad proclamations like "everyone knows TV is bad for you." I'm pretty sure that's an argumentum ad populum (Appeal to the people) fallacy. He admits that he's on his third marriage, which tells me he's not the kind of person from whom I should be accepting advice about anything, let alone family values issues. If I were the author of the book this fellow is espousing, I would distance myself from the article's author as much as possible to keep him from damaging *my* reputation as well.

[cousinlucky]

Three marriges is surely a sign of some kind of defect, TechieMoe!!

I do not have the time to read books so I will not be able to peruse the one being touted.

I value your honest opinions.

However, I believe Mr. Rogers article was meant to indicate what effect a lack of television watching had upon his son.

[techieMoe]

However, I believe Mr. Rogers article was meant to indicate what effect a lack of television watching had upon his son.

Perhaps, and in that respect I understand what he's trying to say. However, what works for one child will not always work for another. I remember growing up my dad told me that the man who invented the Game Boy (Gunpei Yokoi) grew up with no toys. I don't know whether or not that was true, but I know his parents didn't go around telling everyone to throw out their children's toys.

I grew up with TV and video games (but not until I was about 6 years old). Is my mind warped? Ok, bad example. However I don't believe I'm maladjusted or dumber simply because I watched television. I grew up, got a 4 year bachelor's degree in Computer Science and I develop software for a living.

Very young children should have little to no TV. Studies have confirmed that. What this man did was extreme, and although it seems to work for his family, the underlying theme to his article was that everyone should do this, which I think is the height of egocentrism.

[fingal]

I don't own a TV and have no plans to get one. There are a few reasons for this:

• I don't like most of the programmes on UK TV.
• From my viewpoint, the licence fee isn't worth the money.
• I don't have the time.
• I already spend too long in front of a screen!

Despite this, I don't think TV is actually harmful (with obvious caveats about small kids as Moe suggested ^ ). I also grew up watching a lot of programmes, and they fuelled my imagination and gave me something to do when I wasn't with my friends.

I believe that families and individuals rely on the 'goggle box' a bit too much, and it can get in the way of conversation. Like so many things, it just depends on your preferences and how your life is. I don't miss it though: not at all.

[devils casper]

Like so many things, it just depends on your preferences and how your life is.

You are absolutely right.
We have TV set in each room but none of my family member turn it on.
There is nothing to watch over here in India. Daily soaps are full of family fights, third class drama. News Channels also show worthless news and create hypes of trivial things.