Choosing Wisely

From CanTeach:

What would happen if there were no television? Why would this be good? bad?


Bad, very bad. I mean, if there was no TV, how would I get my Adam Lambert fix?!! How would I have even known about my Lamchop?

Seriously -- though I'm not in the mood to be serious -- I often hear folks bemoaning TV (or the Internet or modern music...). The thing is, like a lot of things, it all depends on what you use it for -- if it's for illegal or immoral purposes, then it's bad but what if you're watching TV for educational purposes -- or for entertainment? I've watched a lot of excellent shows on the History channel or PBS. I love my CSIs (I'm on pins and needles right now, waiting for the return of the dastardly but, oh, so lovely Rick Stetler -- David Lee Smith -- on Miami). I love Ghosthunters -- not sure what I'm learning there, other than Tango is hilarious when he goes Jersey on a ghostie. And I'm a news junkie from way back.

Yeah, there's something to be said for the "old ways" -- back when a person had to make their own entertainment. Ol' Henry VIII did that and look what happened but, seriously (I'm trying!) times change and we either change with them or we stagnate. I can't imagine life these days without the internet -- or without TV. Or a microwave or a dishwasher, for that matter. The thing is we live in the world that is, not the one that was. That doesn't mean old-fashioned values don't have a place -- it just means that they can live side by side with the new-fangled stuff.

If you gave me the choice between spending the day, out on the lake, fishing -- or a day surfing the net or watching TV, well, Red Lobster is about as close as I'm going to get to reeling in my own dinner.

What can I say? I love technology. And I'll take it good, bad or ugly. I just pray for the ability to choose wisely.