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Today tsuwm sent me the word "nullifidian" our of a quotation from George Eliot. That sent me into the Internet to refresh my scanty recollections of that gifted lady. In browsing, I ran across a statement that Cardinal Newman had thought cheap books undesirable, which much surprised me.
To us who live in an age in which educators and pundits continually elevate reading books as an educational ideal and continually attack television as a medium that victimizes a passive audience, it comes as a shock to encounter Newman claiming that cheap, easily available reading materials similarly victimized the public
It occurred to me that perhaps the Board members might have some interesting ideas on the overall merits of television.
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Maverick blackens television with his white ink.
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Nah, it's a little bit of all white, but mostly grey and boring 
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i read some ones comment once about television -- stating in effect that it was sad that such a powerful means of communications was used as it was-- he likened it to Gutenburg's press-- (as if nothing had been publish for 400 years but comic books)
I think TV can be very powerful-- it changed american minds about war-- and the russians too. even censored images from afganistan were too much.. Its also played a part in American's, at least thinking, (if not always acting) about the environment.. visual images of oil spills, smog, soiled beaches, dead trees.. these "live panaromic views" sicken us. So we at least articulate that protecting the world is a good thing-- even if we don't yet consistantly act that way.
There have been some great moments of television.. and endless hours of junk!
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...stating in effect that it was sad that such a powerful means of communications was used as it was-- he likened it to Gutenburg's press-- (as if nothing had been publish for 400 years but comic books)
There have been some pretty amazing, artistic, thought-provoking, funny, poignant, and entertaining comic books, though...
I guess I'm not as pessimistic about television as the previous posters. A lot of it has been and still is crap, but people did criticize books, and novels, and film, in the same way many now criticize television. For a medium that has only existed for 50 years, I think it has produced some impressive works of art (not to mention the way it enables the eyes of the world to witness the events that change the world). I have never lived without television and I don't think I'd like to.
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Theodore Sturgeon was reported to have been accosted at a science fiction convention by someone who told him that 90% of science fiction was crap.
Sturgeon responded that that was right, but that 90% of *everything was crap.
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this is now recognized throughout the Known Universe as Sturgeon's Law. then there is Fischer's Corollary: 99% of the people in the galaxy are [jerks] 
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"Cosmos"
"All In The Family"
"National Geographic Specials"
"Cheers" and "Frasier"
Hallmark specials
"Star Trek" and "Next Generation"
"Perry Mason"
"Sesame Street"
"West Wing"
All the well done "Cop Shows" starting with "Hill Street Blues" up to current "The District" et.al.
The definitive medical shows "Chicago Hope" and "E.R."
The British comedies
Masterpiece Theater
Mystery
Nero Wolf ... new ... the set design and costumes are wonderful.
CNN's coverage of world events.
"Meet The Press"
"Nightline"
Those are just a few I have and do enjoy when I have time to watch them.
And my sons are fans of all the sports coverage.
TV's part of life, now.
Get used to it!
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TV's part of life, now.
Get used to it!
I watch TV sports (usually while doing something else) although I'd much rather go to the event. I watch nature shows (when they are on - I don't have cable) but I'd rather take a tour or go camping at the site. I can't stand watching the news (although I do) and am happy to criticize people who regurgitate those facts as reported yet have no other knowledge of what they have "an opinion about". Although I do enjoy occasional comedies and fantasies/sci-fi they never seem to be on when I have the time to "watch" anyway...
WOW - I think a more appropriate sentiment is "get over it"... (and get on with life!)
As early TV marketers promoted the educational value of it, good old consumerism got a hold (like they weren't all along (ha)) and what we have now is - my guess - 25% fact (I believe this is being generous)... watch out internet. I'm not pessimistic (there is plenty good in it for me), however, watch what happens when "free broadcast TV" disappears in 2015 (I'm not making this up).
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