Oh Television

Oh television.
You beckon me each night
with hundreds of channels
to be surfed
and the joy of mindlessness.
You with your funny sitcoms
and political conventions.
Where does the time go?
But no.
I will not have it.
I will not be lured by you any longer.
You will not steal my time.
I will write and dream and scheme
instead
and maybe catch an episode of the Office
every once in a while.
But only once in a while.
You are my friend.
But I hate you.

Comments

[Dennis Wells]

Great lament...I do think that watching the Office is a necessary evil.

[Ted]

Just think of The Office as a work related necessity for those who lead. Why? Because where else do you have a jam packed show which includes poor management, major hr issues, offensive undertones and downright fun?

Carry on...

[Drew]

Classic: "You are my friend, but I hate you."

Great T-Shirt slogan.

[robb overholt]

Hate is such an ugly word. I would never use it... because I hate it.

[Blake Thompson]

Is it possible as a pastor to get your cable bill classified as a tax deduction? You know, keeping up with culture and society and all?

I ask because I don't have cable right now anyhow.

[Wade]

Blake brought up a good point. What's a person in your position to do Ben?
You are the Innovation and Experience Guru (not that you didn't know that) which means you will have thousands of people attending a conference, almost all of whom watch a lot of tv and movies. So, how do you stay in touch with the culture and free yourself from the bondage of tv at the same time?
We all know how effective television and movie characters, themes and jokes can be when used to make a point, but if you don't know what's out there how can you use that medium to your advantage.
I think, could be wrongly, that one of your goals is to pull all of the attendees into a "place" that helps them step outside of themselves and their current paradigms to think in new and bigger ways, but using common cultural experiences (e.g. popular tv shows) could enhance what you are trying to create...
Does any of that make sense?

[Ben Arment]

Let me put it this way. I'm a blogger. And I only read two other blogs.

[D.Lake]

Well put Ben. Now, where's my remote!

[Travis Thompson]

This is one of the funniest things I've read in a while.

The Office IS required viewing. TV can keep me in its grasp for those 30 minutes every Thursday.

[Bethany]

I am going to print and paste this to my television. This is so perfect. TY!!

[Tony McCollum]

Great post, Ben. I so relate to it. I find that TV viewing is cyclical for me. It's either feast or famine. There seems to be very little middle ground for me.

[daniel d]

my wife thinks i am a workaholic because i don't like watching much tv (maybe she’s right). never really have liked getting sucked in to seasons and sitcom episodes to the point of it being a nightly routine. don't get me wrong, i love the occasional entertainment but i don't like it ruling my night. rather spend that time thinking and dreaming. i also use the evening time to read (after the kids are in bed, etc).