Comments on: NO TV: 36 Days and Counting

By: Chase

Chase — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:05:29 +0000

I’m going on day 3,628 without a TV and it is working out so far. The more time you spend away from TV the less you will miss it and the more inane and offensive the programming will become to you.

I enjoy watching certain shows on Hulu (mainly 30 Rock and The Office) and my four-year-old daughter watches DVDs on the computer (two 20-minute shows a day, maximum) but 99% of TV is intelligence-insulting crap or “materialism porn” that makes you desire commodities you don’t need and wouldn’t want otherwise.

However, my favorite part about not having a TV is not watching the news. My wife and I listen to the radio or read the web for news and therefore are spared from the endless cycle of non-stories and “grisly murder of the month” coverage overkill.

(Found your blog via Wess’s, btw.)

By: Robert Yang

Robert Yang — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 22:37:29 +0000

Since having our daughter, we’re definitely watching less TV. Actually, my wife reminds me that she doesn’t really watch any TV now. I’m still clinging to my reasons – 24, CNN, Office, Damages, and the Lakers. But really, I can’t remember the last Laker game I’ve watched from beginning to end.

So our TV watching has been the result of being busy with our daughter. I can see after a while, you really don’t feel like you missed anything, and American Idol seems really stupid just scanning the Internet news sites.

I do feel that having TV makes me feel connected to the outside world, but is it necessary – not really. I agree – it’s a healthier way to live.

By: Rhett Smith

Rhett Smith — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 21:28:06 +0000

Wess,

thanks man…I have no doubt you and your family is really discipline and wise with your time…you seem to always be studying, reading, or hanging out with family…..

Cheat? I think that’s good though…watch hulu and use netflix…that way you are more in control and just don’t mindless surf the TV….

Let me know how it goes…

rhett

By: Wess

Wess — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 21:04:20 +0000

Rhett. Good stuff here. We don’t have TV and I never plan to ouw one again. But we cheat too and watch a coue things on hulu and get netflix. Even without a tv we need to think through what you’ve said.

By: In the Blogosphere « Kingdom People

In the Blogosphere « Kingdom People — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 08:03:27 +0000

[...] Smith gives an update on giving up TV for [...]

By: Marcus Hackler

Marcus Hackler — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 03:26:21 +0000

Today is actually our last day with TV as we know it – we’ll reduce to an antenna for locals and Hulu (or other online distribution) for the few shows we watch (i.e. Lost).

We’ve been reducing our TV consumption for a while and we’ve experienced the same thing – greater connection to Jesus, each other, and more time to do the quality things!

By: Rhett Smith

Rhett Smith — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 03:18:02 +0000

Art,
Yes, “REALLY” want to watch is a great emphasis and not mindless surfing…we too as well.

And YES, I totally skipped the financial piece. That was a huge reason for us..we are trying to get out of debt and our on Dave Ramsey’s plan (Total Money Makeover)…so no room for cable in our budget.

Lex,
that’s great…I know more couples doing that now…just going without the TV, especially in the early stages of marriage.

Sue,
Of course John chose faster download speed….and I love how watching TV is like movie night…carving out time. I think that’s where we are heading.

Amanda,
Football vs. great conversations with your boyfriend…hmmmmm. I wonder which wins for you. I love how things we thought we needed don’t even matter when we try life without it (i.e. the TV, not the boyfriend

Graham,
As I tweeted to you earlier…nothing like dating to remind you what’s important and to take your eyes away from TV.

Daniel,
Haaaa….I really only analyzed it that much in hindsight…but financial was a big reason for us, and just wanting more time together. I think we might move to more of a Hulu “model” of watching tv in the future.

Alan,
Theologically, I have no problem with watching TV…in fact, we still DVR’d our favorite shows (24, Lost, Heroes, 11th Hour, CSI), etc and plan to watch them after our Lent fast…but we plan to enter back into the world of TV differently….carving out time for it, rather than letting it dominate a lot of our night. And who knows, we may go without it. I watch TV as a means to connect with people, which was especially important in LA when more than half of our church was in the entertainment industry. But I’m finding that I know all I need to know surfing the web a little each day as well.

John Hill,
haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. I don’t talk about blogging much. I probably did back in the day….but thanks though. we should chat soon.

rhett

By: john Hill

john Hill — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 21:35:24 +0000

Rhett,
NO WAY!! I had no idea you were a big blogger. All those days at hppc and you never told us about your blog. YOU ARE ON ALLTOP??!! When the heck what the heck how the heck?? Anyway, hope things are going great
J

By: rhetter (rhetter)

rhetter (rhetter) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:06:31 +0000

Do you own/watch TV? Why or why not? http://tinyurl.com/cml5w2 // Luv to hear your thoughts.

By: Alan Wilkerson

Alan Wilkerson — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:02:51 +0000

I’ll be the one who loves TV. I’ve got my shows and my wife has hers. Yep, it can and does interfere with somethings. My son and daughter in law are getting rid of their cable and setting up a linux box for hulu etc. I’ll keep my cable.

If I had to “theologically” justify TV; I’d say it allows me to know what is going on among the “out of churched” people in Portland. I can cringe and laugh at Scrubs with the 20 something friends of the church and ask questions of them about the actions of the characters and get some pretty thoughtful responses.

I praise you for listening to God’s voice in this matter for you and for bravely pursuing it.

Alan