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?

*sdp* · 10-31-2015, 07:37 PM

It is sort of a waste of time, but I see your point. At least when you're reading you're expanding your vocabulary and imagining a bunch of stuff but I would say reading fiction all the time can be as much waste of time as watching a well written movie. I think when people say pick up a book instead they probably mean non-fiction, in which case it is a better past time since you're learning something.

Videogames may help some reflexes but the average action game or platformer with simple/standard puzzles aren't going to benefit you in many ways outside of videogames. So yeah it is sort of a waste of time, everything has to have a balance and not obsess with one thing. I don't watch TV or play videogames much so I feel I don't waste my time with them.

However I do think it's a bit hypocritical for people to judge TV and videogames and yet they spend all their time on their smartphone or using their computer for youtube videos/facebook. That's as much of a waste of time as watching any TV show or videogame.

*CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy* · 10-31-2015, 08:42 PM

As a writer of fiction, watching TV isn't usually a waste of my time because it's feeding my creativity. Every new character, story, and plot is grist for my mill. Now, video games ARE a waste of my time... that's like my writing junk food.

But watching TV or a movie? Writer's brain food, along with reading.

*MsMarvelDuckie* · 10-31-2015, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy

As a writer of fiction, watching TV isn't usually a waste of my time because it's feeding my creativity. Every new character, story, and plot is grist for my mill. Now, video games ARE a waste of my time... that's like my writing junk food.

But watching TV or a movie? Writer's brain food, along with reading.

THIS!! Also, depends on the video game. I've gotten some really great inspiration from some of my favorite games, too. My game/fantasy story world has bits of Final Fantasy, Elder Scrolls Ovlivion/Morrowwind/Skyrim, and Dragon Age among the other fantasy elements incorporated into it over the years. In fact, I actually created an entire race based on the FFVII Cactaurs!

*CyberCubed* · 10-31-2015, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy

Now, video games ARE a waste of my time... that's like my writing junk food.

Why are videogames a waste of time? A good single player videogame has more entertainment value than most.

*CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy* · 11-01-2015, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

Why are videogames a waste of time? A good single player videogame has more entertainment value than most.

Well, the games that I typically would play were the older generations (Gameboy, SNES, etc). I've made a firm stance that IF I ever get into newer games, it will be for "The Last of Us" and "Mass Effect." But for the games I played... not much inspiration from Pokemon or Mario.

*ssjup81* · 11-01-2015, 02:56 AM

I always thought people would say this because people would spend endless hours just sitting in front of the television and not actually going out and being productive or how it can hinder one's imagination, as opposed to say reading where you have to imagine everything yourself. That aside, I didn't even know people still said this. Seems I heard that more when I was a kid.

~~Ninja Arnold~~ · 10-31-2015, 11:26 PM

I don't know. Its fun to me to watch TV. I'm finding even more of my time going to it.

*Allio* · 11-02-2015, 02:45 AM

"why is watching tv considered unproductive"

what is this. the 90's?

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?

10-31-2015, 07:37 PM	#2
sdp Detoxed Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Tokio, Italy Posts: 11,222	It is sort of a waste of time, but I see your point. At least when you're reading you're expanding your vocabulary and imagining a bunch of stuff but I would say reading fiction all the time can be as much waste of time as watching a well written movie. I think when people say pick up a book instead they probably mean non-fiction, in which case it is a better past time since you're learning something. Videogames may help some reflexes but the average action game or platformer with simple/standard puzzles aren't going to benefit you in many ways outside of videogames. So yeah it is sort of a waste of time, everything has to have a balance and not obsess with one thing. I don't watch TV or play videogames much so I feel I don't waste my time with them. However I do think it's a bit hypocritical for people to judge TV and videogames and yet they spend all their time on their smartphone or using their computer for youtube videos/facebook. That's as much of a waste of time as watching any TV show or videogame. __________________ *Trapt* *urself Page MiscRave!!!* Click to join The Drome Discord server

10-31-2015, 08:42 PM	#3
CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy Annalist Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 16,435	As a writer of fiction, watching TV isn't usually a waste of my time because it's feeding my creativity. Every new character, story, and plot is grist for my mill. Now, video games ARE a waste of my time... that's like my writing junk food. But watching TV or a movie? Writer's brain food, along with reading. __________________ *ALL THEIR DAYS ARE NUMBERED*

11-02-2015, 02:45 AM	#9
Allio Foot Elite Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 4,208	"why is watching tv considered unproductive" what is this. the 90's? __________________

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11-01-2015, 02:56 AM	#7
ssjup81 Foot Elite Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Central Virginia (Back in the US) Posts: 4,734	I always thought people would say this because people would spend endless hours just sitting in front of the television and not actually going out and being productive or how it can hinder one's imagination, as opposed to say reading where you have to imagine everything yourself. That aside, I didn't even know people still said this. Seems I heard that more when I was a kid.

10-31-2015, 11:26 PM	#8
~~Ninja Arnold~~ Banned Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 69	I don't know. Its fun to me to watch TV. I'm finding even more of my time going to it.