Television

"Television was the most revolutionary event of the century. Its importance was in a class with the discovery of gunpowder and the invention of the printing press, which changed the human condition for centuries afterward. With television, humanity would no longer sit on the front steps and chat or gather in the parlor to see if human friction might brighten the evening. From now on people would hunker in dim rooms, alone or in silent groups, which is the same thing, watching pictures flicker on electronic furniture." — Russell Baker, from his book There's a Country in My Cellar.

This message about the most important event of the 20th century may not match your view. On the other hand, if you look at all the other events, I think television probably changed our personal lives even more than the computer, as it has more impact on more persons.

Once a viewer sees bombs drop, people killed and buildings demolished the imagination doesn't have to work at all. As some of us do not have active imaginations, the pictures on television are undeniable proof and as a consequence the wars, the conflicts (lesser wars), the threats and all the dangers now in the world have been brought home to us all.

I do not have a television now, although I grew up with TV in New York City when I was a child. At that time television was on cable and the big adventure was to get off cable. Right after WWII television was off cable; we are now back on cable. There is a saying, which I think is true: "What goes 'round comes 'round." I have been asked how I can live without TV and my answer is that I read. I do not have to wait for a particular time for a program, since the book (or books) are right at hand.

The news on television seems to be on almost every hour. Except for catastrophes, we really do not need the news every fifteen minutes. On one radio station they have the stock market standing every 15 minutes. Why? The emphasis is on the unemployment rate (6%), but what about the employment rate (94%)? One view is negative and the other view is positive. Right now we need some positive thinking and television could certainly do that for the whole country.

Tucked away in the Berkshire Hills, I am inclined to be positive except for poachers and those who steal my wood piles, my stone walls and plants. Were I back in New York City living on the 5th floor, especially after 9/11, I doubt I could remain optimistic. Television shows us what is going on, but nature is all around us too.