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Does TV Dumb People Down?

Nanda

Polyanna
And even the good educational stuff out there (like the History channel, Discovery channel, etc., that others have mentioned), while mentally stimulating, can be detrimental to one's physical health, if watched in excess. What one watches doesn't make one a couch potato----it's how much one watches that makes one a couch potato. ;)

No more so than if one spends all their time reading books, and I've rarely been told to stop reading.
 

Hope

Princesinha
No more so than if one spends all their time reading books, and I've rarely been told to stop reading.

Of course. Even reading books excessively to the point of neglecting physical activity can be harmful. If books are promoted over TV, however, it's probably because reading, in general, requires a little more use of one's brain cells than sitting in front of a screen and passively absorbing visual information.
 

ChristineES

Tiggerism
Premium Member
I don't think TV can dumb me down too much since I always read a book at the same time unless Star Trek is on.
 

Azakel

Liebe ist für alle da
No. It just provides an effective distraction for people who don't want to learn anything.

Unless you watch and pay attention to learning channels like the History channel, or NG and all that. You might learn something.
 
My second TV died six months ago, haven't watched TV since, just U-tube. I'ld rather have a choice in what I watch and when I watch it.
Really,nice one! I wish my TV would die a painfull fiery death,its just become a sex box i feel.And it just pollutes my thoughts, now thinking of unplugging it at least,but i dont know a life without a tv.Is there a life after,what do you do with your time now?
 

Phasmid

Mr Invisible
Overall, does TV dumb people down? Why or why not?

Interesting question... I don't think people can lose intelligence by watching TV. If people are smart then they'll find some intellectual stimulation in anything they watch. For example, someone might watch the Jeremy Kial show and think, "Hmmm, interesting, I can see how the socio economic background of this chap has increased his propensity to buy spoilers and bling... this merrits further research". While another person might think, "Man that chav needs a kick in the teeth... give him Hell Jerry!"

So in short, it's more to do with the person watching it, than the subject matter itself. If anything, with the likes of Discovery Channel and National Geographic, TV makes people smarter overall. Though, again, it depends on the viewers disposition as to whether they watch educational TV or get any intellectual stimulation from it.
 

Heracles

Canadian eh
I think it depends on what you watch, but also how you watch it. You can watch the discovery channel for instance and still take in some crap, so you have to be critical of some stuff. I find the history channel to be a decent one too, almost all of it is derived from actual historians and experts in the certain fields. As far as commercials though, no matter what channel, they TRY to dumb us down.
Generally, since with tv it is up to you what to watch, it is really your own fault if you get dumber because of tv.
 

Heracles

Canadian eh
Oh I almost forgot... The awesomeness of TV ended when good ole' Kevin Sorbo left HERCULES.
ps- it was not at all brought back by his role in ANDROMEDA. lmao
 
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