I love the Queen of Carrots' blog. She has an incredible voice, and her writings always leave me pondering something or rolling on the floor with laughter. Today, she posted on a book she's reading about television and its effects, Amusing Ourselves to Death. This particular post left me pondering and agreeing.
Comments
But the battle for ideas and ideals doesn't really start or stop with the media. It really starts at home and at church. Only by a clear revelation of God's Word and a honest, sincere attitude can these voices lose the power of pursuasion. But perhaps the entertainment factor overwhelms most people's ability to be critical because we are such emotional creatures.
Looking back at TV programs in the 1950s is instructive in just how far we have drifted as a society; but those same innocuous programs in their day were pushing the edge of tolerance. Our willingness to accept the present level of decadence is the result of the same liberal forces working then that work today.
I don't believe that the television entertainment act will get cleaned up, ever. The standard for entertainment is what a minority of critics can tolerate; this has always been worse than what is actually good for society or what the majority believe. But this feeds self righteousness in people which brings a false sense of comfort. Given the nature of the medium, it doesn't appear to be capable of actually being good for society.
I too don't know that the internet is actually any better for society. But it does allow folks like me to comment on things which really isn't an option on TV. The internet has powered a tremendous resurgence in expression of thought by the common man. So far it has defied any and all attempts at subversion of that expression. And in so far as that goes, that's much better than the one-way street of television.
P.S. The anonymous comment is from my Dad. Just for the record, I never felt deprived not having a tv growing up. As I became an adult, I came to realize that it was a privilege to have ideas independent of mainstream media and what others thought I "should" be thinking. Not being afraid of silence was another benefit :). I thank God for my parents having insight and heeding what our prophet said.