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Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
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I watch far too much TV myself.
I think the worst thing about TV is that it is passive and often solitary. You may correctly argue that other forms of theatre are often as shallow in their content, but the medium itself can have good and bad points.
The act of going to the theatre to see live actors is not only a communal experience like going to the movies, but also a special one in that this performance will be unique in some way. The actors might recite the same lines or sing the same songs at tomorrow night's performance, but certain aspects will be unique, whether it is the nuances of the performance or the audience's response to it, or what have you. There is also a certain electricity when live performers are on stage that I cannot describe in words. And to an extent, for live theatre the audience must still rely on their imagination. Even the most realistic sets and costumes do not compare to the hyper-realism of most films. Instead of being spoon-fed, the audience must fill in the gaps, and in doing so each spectator experiences a unique version of the performance. I think live theatre in this respect is a healthy activity for the brain, whereas television is about as healthy usually as eating a whole bag of potato chips in one sitting.
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Joined: May 2002
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veteran
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veteran
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,529 |
Quote:
I watch far too much TV myself.
Feel qulity, now do you, Alex?
I think the worst thing about TV is that it is passive and often solitary. You may correctly argue that other forms of theatre are often as shallow in their content, but the medium itself can have good and bad points.
No offense, Alex, but I think that Bullwinkle at one time said the same thing to Rocky the Squirrel.
The act of going to the theatre to see live actors is not only a communal experience like going to the movies, but also a special one in that this performance will be unique in some way. The actors might recite the same lines or sing the same songs at tomorrow night's performance, but certain aspects will be unique, whether it is the nuances of the performance or the audience's response to it, or what have you. There is also a certain electricity when live performers are on stage that I cannot describe in words.
Well if you can't, Alex, I can. The pleasure that you feel in hard wired into the human psyche. We are preprogramed to be in social accord with others of our kind so as to march together with a common goal.
And to an extent, for live theatre the audience must still rely on their imagination. Even the most realistic sets and costumes do not compare to the hyper-realism of most films. Instead of being spoon-fed, the audience must fill in the gaps, and in doing so each spectator experiences a unique version of the performance. I think live theatre in this respect is a healthy activity for the brain, whereas television is about as healthy usually as eating a whole bag of potato chips in one sitting.
I think that you exaggerate...but I think that you are mostly right. 
Last edited by themilum; 04/24/06 04:35 AM.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Jan 2001
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Quote:
No offense, Alex, but I think that Bullwinkle at one time said the same thing to Rocky the Squirrel.
Man, it's so embarassing when I get caught plagiarizing Rocky and Bullwinkle like that. 
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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it's so embarassing when I get caught plagiarizing Rocky and Bullwinkle
Best to describe it as an "homage."
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Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
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All kidding aside, I should clarify my point by saying that sitting around flipping channels on the tv when there's nothing good on is the mental equivalent of eating greasy potato chips. There are a lot of great programs of course.
Now if only they'd make some new episodes of "Foyle's War"...
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journeyman
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journeyman
Joined: Jul 2004
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Do you have tivo? I must confess, I love watching tv, but I feel that I do it extremely efficiently and with purpose. I do not flip channels or watch most commercials. I record programs and watch at will. I can't say enough good things about tivo.
And as far as your opening remarks on the subject of tv vs. theatre, I wonder what consumption you compare to reading, after all, a book is the same when I read it as it is when you read it and it is even more solitary than watching tv. Still an individual indulgence and often delicious, no?
That said, we must all watch our intellectual love handles.
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Joined: Oct 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Oct 2000
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tivo--you pay money to a company, in order for it to collect data on your tv watching habit, it order to better 'satisfy' your need to watch tv in the future?
i watch TV.. i have at times, (weeks, not months!) been with out a TV, but it gets replace.
but i see no need for cable, and less need to tape (or Tivo tv shows.. they are all repeated (ad nausium) anyway.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2005
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There are spec for open source digital video recorders freely available online.
Ceci n'est pas un seing.
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Posts: 72
journeyman
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journeyman
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Actually, I paid a couple of hundred dollars approx 3 years ago to be tivo serviced for the life of my dvr. Money well spent, in my opinion. I probably watch far less tv than most people who claim they watch very little, but I'm not a slave to scheduling, which can be an issue even with repeats. Also, sometimes I'm into ad nausium. For example, I have an Austin City Limits folder that collects new episodes. Those, I will watch repeatedly or even listen only while preparing dinner.
I'm not afraid of "the man" collecting data on my tv watching habits. Actually, I embrace the idea that my interests receive as much or more value as other tv watchers. I feel I watch smart programs that stretch my brain farther and that come off as more original than many best-selling novels turned overly hyped movies. I keep reading them, hoping...
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Joined: Jan 2001
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Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
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Quote:
I wonder what consumption you compare to reading, after all, a book is the same when I read it as it is when you read it and it is even more solitary than watching tv. Still an individual indulgence and often delicious, no?
Though reading may be solitary, it is exceptionally stimulating to the mind. That is why I try to read a book at least once or twice a year. :|
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