by Lou Rountree

Created on: May 23, 2010   Last Updated: May 24, 2010

Even for the blind person, watching television may provide some entertainment. There is always the audio and some enjoyment may be had from filling in with the mind the visual part of the program. Of course this will depend on the individual and their intelligence, creativity and individuality whether blind or not. For an average person television is comparable to the Internet with its varied programming and for the person choosing programs to watch may find that there is an abundance of types of programs for entertainment or just pastime.  Others may choose to learn from watching television and again, the programming provides many different types of programs from which to learn. In fact, there may be many reasons for a person to watch television depending on the person’s reason for wanting to watch and the varied programming available.

While it is true that some may not like to watch television at all, most find some niche programming that they want to watch at some time and many of these people may become almost addicted and watch repetitively. This provides another insight into the worth of watching television based on the observer’s perspective of the programming and their capability to find enjoyment, entertainment or even furthering one’s own knowledge about the subject matter watched. Many try to watch television while multi tasking with other distractions while others will filter out any extraneous things occurring at the same time to the extent that little amounts of their concentration is on the television program.

Writers may use television to study our society and in later books or articles use the characters to create their own characters for a historical or a fiction novel. They may watch the historical or educational channels on television for source material for articles or books. An actress may glean some acting ability from watching characters in sit coms or adventure programs and other citizens may keep pace with the zeitgeist of current world affairs to aid in legislating or governing. It becomes obvious that many may find worth by watching television. It is also obvious that some individuals may not have ample time to watch television when their profession or hobbies occupy almost all of their free time.

Considering all of the varied television programming and the matrix of television watchers feeding on this programming the question of the worth of watching television may be answered yes for a population norm should one take time to gather the information required to make such a truthful assessment? On an individual basis the question of worthiness becomes a crap shoot and only loaded dice could provide a repetitive trend toward an answer. Probably the best answer is that television watching will occur when television’s horn of plenty is available and in this world the multitudes of people and their varied interests when fed enough entices a yes answer.

Learn more about this author, Lou Rountree.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.