People talk to each other a lot more than previous generations--they have to. The majority of drivers I see on the road have a cell phone in one hand and the steering wheel on the other. Immediately after class ends, students start calling people on their phones (that or listen to their iPods--but that's another bitch for another day). While cell phones are great tools, how much do people actually need them? Everyone is talking to someone but are these conversations needed? Can't they wait until folks get home? You'd think with all this talking, people would become better communicators. I dunno--I'm just sayin'...br>

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I'm opposed to pay television. It's not just 'cause I'm cheap (although that is a factor). I grew up without cable or satellite--my mum did too--and we all turned out just fine (it's my brothers who are crazy). But today, I read somewhere that 80 per cent of Americans have satellite or cable--and that's just way too much TV for my taste.
Do we really need 200 channels? The Girlfriend has cable; I've skimmed through the channels--there's isn't enough quality programming to support that much media. The advent of realty television means networks can produce original programming cheaply--unfortunately, it's not very good.
I think people watch way too much television. They use that as their primary source of entertainment. While I will admit there are a couple shows I like to watch, I will not sit down in front of the TV 'cause I'm bored--not when I have so much more available to me. There are shows I seek out--but I do not use the TV as a time killer.
And I think that's the problem. If the terrestrial stations don't provide you with enough entertainment, you need a friggin' hobby. I've seen pay television at hotels--it's addictive stuff. VH1 has numerous lists shows. ESPN has the sports. TNT has "Law & Order"--it's all very enticing 'cause it's easy to do. You sit back and turn your brain off. I know--I've been sucked in too. I plop on the couch for 15 minutes and end up wasting three hours of my life.
With so much out there and so much on, it's easy to find something to suck you in. It's a very dangerous option because you can waste so much of your time sitting in front of the television.
I've often felt I wouldn't get mass programming like that just because I'm not sure I could fight the temptation (I do have an obsessive personality). I know I'd much rather be writing, reading, or learning something new than spend two hours a day loafing in front of a TV. But all of that is much harder than sitting down in front of the boob tube. I'm not sure I'll always be able to fight the easiness vegging.
I suppose it's a good thing that I'm aware of my weaknesses--this way I can steer clear of them. Watching TV is a very sexy option: it's easy to do and shows are made to suck you in. but consciously I can tell you it's something I don't want to do--unfortunately, I'm not sure if I'm strong enough to fight it. I'd rather save my soul (and 50 bucks a month) and stick with free television. Besides, not having cable makes those hotel stays even more exciting.

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