It’s 11 days and counting since the cable was shut off. We have zero channels, and as a result I haven’t watched the TV at all. Specific initial outcomes of the experiment include:
- Borrowed first DVDs from public library (Truly, Madly, Deeply and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest)
- Went out every night for a week (totally unheard of)
- Walked outside more (despite the incredibly harsh Regina weather)
- Read more than my combined total for the past six months
- Discovered that the only program I actually miss is Survivor
- Discovered that I actually really miss Survivor (damn)
- Discovered that Survivor is available online on the Global website (with fewer ads than on TV)
- Joined the Teleban (group of blogs lobbying (playfully) for a Ban on TV)
General outcomes include:
- Increased/improved social life
- Increased sense of productivity (unclear whether this translates to actual increased productivity)
- Improved well-being
Overall, the results seem to indicate that not watching TV is great for me, and that not paying for cable is absolutely appropriate to this project. Unfortunately, my love affair with a TV-free life might be shortlived.
My roommates miss TV! The roommate who felt productive and engaged the weekend the cable was cut off now tells me that not having TV makes her feel isolated, and that she doesn’t want to spend time at home.
I was really sad to realize that not everyone thrives on a TV-free existence the way I seem to. And unfortunately, if my roommates do decide to get cable again, I don’t think it would be cool for me to opt out, so that puts me in a tricky situation.
As mentioned in The revolution will not have cable, if the TV is there I will watch it (I’m the kind of creature that requires a healthy environment to actually be healthy). And regardless of that, it would feel pretty tacky not to chip in if both my roommates really want it.
Another possibility is that we get an antenna, which would get us two or three channels for free (though then I’d be buying that, which would still be outside the guidelines…dammit!). The other possibility is that I move out, but I’m not sure the goal of Subverting Overconsumption is to isolate myself from the world so that I can perfectly control my environment. Or maybe it is…arghhh.
What it seems to come down to is that it’s hard to make significant lifestyle downshifts towards reduced consumption and increased sustainability when the people around me aren’t necessarily making similar changes. Of course I dream to changing mass consciousness by putting my own values in full practice, but the idea of preaching (e.g., “Oh come on, don’t you feel like you’d be a more engaged, happier, human human if you never watched TV again?”) feels much more like a nightmare.
So obviously I haven’t struck a balance with any of this. But if the roommates want TV, I don’t think I can and/or will make a giant fuss over it.
xo n
3 comments
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December 6, 2006 at 12:59 am
Anonymous
i bought a tv several years ago so that i could watch movies at home. Sadly, or not, i must admit that i expected more from a tv, so i borrowed a pair of rabbit ears from a firend, and lo and behold i was instantly connected to the two channel universe where snow and wavey lines rule. nevertheless, it was a good decision and did satisfy a very particular need. house, coronation street, rick mercer report and the news soon filled those empty moments that can result when low mental energy collides with low physical energy. I could have as easily taken up serious meditation, but the angst, side taking, laughter and media intervention that i got from the above mentioned programs would not have been mine.
i eventually bought my own rabbit ears for 15 dollars. you could likely find a pair at any of the haunts you frequent…or maybe put it on your wish list.
xohelen.
December 6, 2006 at 9:52 am
goodgirlculture
the only problem with searching out used items like rabbit ears is that it requires patience and time, things that folks who aren’t subverting overconsumption aren’t used to (or necessarily interested in) practising when it comes to their consumer habits. that’s the problem with consumer culture: we’ve been taught that there’s no good reason why we can’t always have exactly what we want RIGHT NOW!
thanks for your comment…your first one!
xo n
December 6, 2006 at 3:42 pm
elitrope
I feel your frustration. My S.O. and I don’t see exactly eye to eye on sustainability issues and this has been my personal struggle, accepting him for who he is and still live the life I want to lead and not feel isolated or isolate him in the process. We both learn a lot as we go along. TV is one of those issues. I could live my life without TV. I didn’t have one for years and when I finally purchased one, it was to watch videos, the cable was never hooked up. That all changed when I moved, though the TV was still rarely used. Now that he’s moved in, he finds my TV location (I refuse to have one in the living room, which I feel distracts from conversation) and watching habbits odd and I find his to be quite annoying. We have finally both just accepted that watching TV is just an activity we will rarely do together and if he wants to watch TV in the middle of the afternoon, I will probably disappear into the garden. I guess that’s what personal freedom is all about.