RSS Feeds: Televisions and how "Boob Tube" Originated
In a 1961 speech, Newton N. Minow (the chairman of the FCC at the time) spoke of the "vast wasteland" that was the television programming of the day. The television was characterized as the "boob tube", a mindless occupation and time filler. At the time, "boob" was another word for "idiot" and "tube" referred to the cathode ray tube that displayed the picture. "Boob tube" became the slang term for television because it was thought that only "boobs" watched it.
The Mindless Zombie Effect
Have you ever tried to get the attention of someone completely engrossed in what they're watching on TV? I have and it's nearly impossible. My wife and both my children (both of who are adults now) seem to be mesmerized by whatever they happen to be watching at any given time, just like a zombie looking for his or her next meal.
I have fortunately escaped that predicament. I don't turn on my personal television (the one in my master bedroom) for days or even weeks at a time. I only turn it on when I want to see the local news of the Philippines. My younger son's TV seems to be on for every minute he's awake and at home, even if he's not watching it and playing a video game on his Sony PlayStation Portable (the one I bought him for his birthday a year or two ago).
A TV zombie is rude. When I'm trying to get my son's attention, for instance, he'll turn up the volume on his TV with his remote control unit. The last time he did that, I yelled at him and told him never to speak to me again… ever. Of course I didn't mean it. I just wanted to be as rude to him as he was to me.
Life without TV
The happiest and most productive people I know are people just like me: People who watch TV rarely and really only when they feel it's necessary. People that spend a lot of time watching TV seem to be cantankerous and grumpy when they have nothing to watch.
I don't know about you, but I think there's way too much going on in the real world to waste away the hours watching TV programs that serve no other purpose than to kill time. This is especially true when the programs aren't even entertaining (the majority of television programming).
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Boob tube, such a weird name for a television. I was always curious as to why it was given this name.
lol, "boob tube" is my second favorite derogatory pseudonym for the TV, after "idiot box". I'm like you RT, my wife and I have a couple of favorite television shows that we watch, but all are DVR'd so we can view at our own convenience. Since I've been here in Iraq, I've had the opportunity to get AFN in my room (it's got like 10 channels now), but I passed it up … because I honestly don't have the time now to accomplish most of what I want to … can't imagine how much worse it would be if I had easy access to the "boob tube" (although honest, sometimes I'm not so sure that my laptop isn't almost as bad). ;-)
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I only watch what I download. On the other hand, my wife can watch TV for hours if I let her.
TV'S, Cameras are instruments which keeps us busy or in other words they helps us in passing our time.Life without them is boring. Few months back I generated a new hobby of photography. In beginning I was not that perfect but I received help from wedding photography secrets . Due which I can count my self among good photographers
There was a TV debate in 1960 as I remember between Nixon and JFK. Nixon was said to look bad on TV (he was sweated) and he lost the elections after all.
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i can't imagine myself without a television.
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Great article.I can tell did your research as well as adding some of your personal side. I look forward to seeing more of your writings published. TV is life.hahahaha
I agree. It's like the boob tube hyptnotizes people. I prefure to get my information on the internet. At least you are using your mind and reading is good for you. One time my wife got mad because when we were watching TV I got up and turned on the computer. She said I was always on the computer and I said you are always watching TV. Which is better? I believe reading something on the internet is better for your mind than watching a story on TV.
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Methinks computers with internet are far better than the TV… Internet is like ocean of entertainment, knowledge and lot other stuffs to do… Computer is matchless, leave alone the TV.
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Great post! Your blog is great for researching for the website that I'm making – thanks a million! :)