Why is watching TV considered, "unproductive?"

*CyberCubed* · 10-31-2015, 07:26 PM

So I'm sure you've all heard this before, that watching TV is "unproductive" or "rots your brain" or "its an idiot box." Also calling you a couch potato or to get a life. And you're often told to go read a book or get a hobby. But why?

I've always figured watching a show you really like or enjoy is anything but unproductive. Its a form of entertainment, and especially if its a show with good writing or characters, it makes you really think about them or their situations as if they were real. Watching through some of your favorite shows or watching something new for the first time is just as much mentally satisfying as reading a book or having a hobby.

Now I understand people who do nothing all day but channel surf and watch junk on TV are where this stigma comes from, but for those of us who watch good shows we enjoy, why is it unproductive?

Videogames have this stigma too, to be honest, especially among older people who see videogames as a complete waste of time. Thoughts?

10-31-2015, 07:26 PM	#1
CyberCubed Overlord Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 43,887	Why is watching TV considered, "unproductive?" So I'm sure you've all heard this before, that watching TV is "unproductive" or "rots your brain" or "its an idiot box." Also calling you a couch potato or to get a life. And you're often told to go read a book or get a hobby. But why? I've always figured watching a show you really like or enjoy is anything but unproductive. Its a form of entertainment, and especially if its a show with good writing or characters, it makes you really think about them or their situations as if they were real. Watching through some of your favorite shows or watching something new for the first time is just as much mentally satisfying as reading a book or having a hobby. Now I understand people who do nothing all day but channel surf and watch junk on TV are where this stigma comes from, but for those of us who watch good shows we enjoy, why is it unproductive? Videogames have this stigma too, to be honest, especially among older people who see videogames as a complete waste of time. Thoughts?