An idea I'm thinking of doing. Giving up television completely for a week

[terrya]

I just want to see if I can do it. And if I can, to give it up indefinitely.

Why is it that I think it's such a radical idea? Has television so seeped into the culture that it's become an essential part of us?

Terry

[jonnyblitz]

1. i was thinking the same thing for the internet

the internet has replaced the TV for me in that respect. I could go a long time without tv and could care less, the internet..I go nuts without it.

[fishnfla]

6. I havent watched in a year and a half

nothing but football. From what I hear, I aint missing a thing.

[jonnyblitz]

9. when i do watch, it is either CSPAN or other cable stations

that feature politics or Independent Film Channel and that is it. We have cable because we need it for internet access.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

2. 2 weeks ago the Man found out I was stealing cable - my life has improved!

I do miss FoodTV and PBS and the Simpsons but I have more than made up for it with more cooking, reading and music listenage. Plus my apartment is cleaner!

[ontheMark]

3. Change your life

About 10 years ago I gave it up for a couple of months. It turned into 4 years without a tv in my house. While working full time at my regular job, I found the time to return to college and get my degree and open a store. I rember going to friends houses that had a tv on and laughing at all the commercials I had never seen before. Feeling lost when folks were talking about shows I'd never seen. I removed the tv from my house, the only way to do it. Good luck.

[felonious thunk]

4. We cut the cable off about a month ago

Kept the internet, but I'm so pleased we did it, Terry. This weekend was great, when we were home it was peaceful and quiet, and we sat outside and read. Our evenings after work seem like they have so much more potential now, we're getting chores done during the week, which we never did before. I can't believe it took us this long to do it, and I may never get cable again. We'll watch DVDs whenever we feel like it, since they'll be better than anything on TV anyway.

Plus we're saving 50 bucks a month.

[bif]

5. I gave it up years ago

Every once in a while I look at the tv guide and realize that I'm not missing anything. I watch a few of the Wings games when they're in the playoffs and we rent an occasional movie, but that's about it.

[LynzM]

7. Do it!!

The only reason we still own a TV is to watch movies we rent. Other than that, we don't watch any. You'd be amazed at how much time you have, all of a sudden. It's hard at first, it's such a habit, but definitely do-able!

[amazona]

8. it's amazingly easy

I've gone without watching TV for years at a time, more commonly months at a time. It is so much a part of the culture that you don't have to watch it at all. Everyone else will do it for you. I've never seen American Idol or Survivor, for example, but I know perfectly well what they're about.

You'll never miss it, and you'll love the time you've freed up.