by Elizabeth M Young

Created on: November 12, 2009

It is all relative as to who spends "too much" or "so much" time watching television. To put things into perspective, even an average hospital stay involves enough activity or sleep to prevent too much television watching. Television watching is simply not the type of activity to be a focus of attention all of the time, or even for long continuous periods for the average viewer. One also has to consider the news, movies, watching the weather, televised courses, and other reasons besides entertainment for the set to be in use.

An average person may have some favorite daytime and evening shows on, but few people work, socialize, take care of their children and homes, and take care of the other business of life in front of the television.

Some people are housebound, but that does not mean that they do not read, do crafts, and have other things to occupy their time...like the Internet. Speaking of which, the Internet may have replaced television as the predominant sedentary time waster of our times. It has, frankly, become a misnomer and a myth that television is a waste of time, while the activities that go on line are so superior. Chat, gaming, social networking, and e-mail are not automatically qualified as intellectually superior activities.

Millions of people are watching television to get a detailed and often exquisitely crafted look into lives and activities where we can never go. Life in the desert, on the road, in Antarctica, on a lobster boat, logging, in the military, or in a professional kitchen are available to satisfy our curiosity. The history of the world and of many facets of the world are available to millions of those who are history buffs. The arts in all forms are made available to tens of millions who could never see the plays and concerts in the real world.

Those who do not watch television are unaware of the vast and rich choices that are available beyond the network situation comedies, which, by the way, provide a couple of hours of laughter and escape for millions before bedtime. There is no explaining the thrill of watching tornado chasers, a classic film, or an important baseball game from the comfort and safety of home. And there is the fact that, sometimes, people, by the hundreds of millions, are simply tired after a day of hard and stressful work, and just want to watch a favorite show.

Given the breakdown in the economy, people are watching television to replace entertainment that they can no longer afford. Individuals and families are staying at home and "nesting", rather than going out into an increasingly dangerous, cumbersome, and toxic world.

Doctors, lawyers, college professors, and, of course, very sick people watch television. A vast lot of people watch television. They always have and they always will. Other than commercials, there is no security software, on line troll, or other annoying Internet or real world bother to get in the way of a few hours of relaxing and enjoyment.

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