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Not just no, but HELL NO! The forced transition from analogue to digital technology is another example of how corporate America owns and dictates governmental policy and procedures. The FCC mandated the transition to digital broadcasting to "free-up" air space. This in no way benefits the consumer other than it makes many more channels of absolute drivel available to the masses. The benefit comes to the few corporations who monopolize the broadcast networks. They now have more air space available. They can sell more advertising (including political advertisements) which generates unimaginable income. They have more available avenues to shape and mold the mores and values of the viewing masses, including socio-political ideology. Let's not forget that the airwaves belong to us, and that this change was quietly and insidiously forced upon us without wide spread publicity or adequate avenues of redress, complaint, or objection having been forwarded on a preemptive basis.

The manufacturers of consumer electronics, namely televisions, also benefit from this forced transition. It in effect forces consumers to "upgrade" their reception capabilities or go without (God Forbid). Those companies that manufacture the digital-to-analogue conversion boxes are enjoying a financial feast of unprecedented proportions. The Manufacturers of televisions finally have the short-term recurring revenue mechanism they always wanted. Given how susceptible to electrical power supply variations solid state electronics are, plasma and LCD display screens are intolerant of power surges. As the cost of the replacement screen represents 85% (approximately) of the cost of replacing a unit, it becomes impractical to repair. This renders the unit "disposable" in the minds of consumers, and reinforces the planned obsolescence mentality that we as consumers have been quietly force fed over the last quarter century. It also very quietly serves to eradicate the profession of consumer repair servicing. Repairing a unit and sustaining its serviceability is in direct conflict with selling new replacement units.

The cable and satellite service providers are also enjoying the forced transition. People who have neither the time nor the technical expertise to modify their current reception systems/equipment are being both directly and indirectly encouraged to avail themselves of these company's services. They are being misled with the whole "Hi-Def" sales pitch. Most broadcasters do not have true high definition transmission capabilities. Most televisions (even current models) employ high definition simulation as opposed to true high definition technology. All of this is a sales pitch intended to manipulate consumers into accepting a forced transition under the guise of better video, better audio, and more channels when the truth is it has been a financial boon for the media and the consumer electronics manufacturing industry.

Learn more about this author, Victor Mikulin.
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