Hacker News Reader

Comment by ambivalents | Hacker News Reader

Has anyone else given up TV and noticed beneficial effects?

"I replaced all TV time with reading time. TV is full of stories of murder, betrayal, and pain. It’s riveting, but it also messes with your mind. Once I figured this out, I started going to the library every day instead of watching TV."

This part resonated with me and I want to give it a shot. I default to TV when I have nothing to do, but I recognize how passive and lazy it is. You basically outsource your thinking for a couple hours a day. And I hadn't thought about how the stories we watch might be subconsciously changing the way we think.

View on HN

I replaced "passive" TV watching. I now mostly watch TV/movies if I'm really focused on it. I no longer just turn the TV on because it's there. This has led me to seek out other things when bored. Reading, taking random classes around town(archery, weaving, bicycle building), and listening to music/podcasts while cleaning up around the apartment.

It mainly comes down to: I no longer have a default activity to when bored, so I fill the time with other, more engaging/deliberate, tasks.

I don't think there's anything intrinsic about TV that makes it bad, but rather this:

> I default to TV when I have nothing to do

All of us have different defaults and if you replace that with something better, you will probably be happy with the change.

I'm actually trying to fit a little more TV in my life.

We don't own a TV and our Netflix time is limited to kids shows these days. We do the thing he mentioned though of just going to the local bookstore and reading them. It's like a library, but has a good selection and no wait lists.

Literally almost every evening after supper, we go to the bookstore until they close. Buy something from the cafe, and then just sit and read. Chit chat with the other regulars now and again. It's a nice low-key way to get out of the house.

I eliminated TV 4 years ago and noticed these benefits:

- Finished 3 years qualification in record time - Doubled my salary - Managed to complete 3 profitable side projects - Improved my software development skills tenfold - and more...

In the process, I lost friends. I used to host 300+ people parties. I doubt I can be able to bring together 20 people in one place for a party.

Sounds like you replaced more than TV with your learning and working.

You can be a couch potato and have zero friends too.

I am sure that you can rely more in those 20 people than 300+.

That's the beauty of it. I am left with real friends, not those who were hanging around me because I used to throw cool parties.

Keep a journal of the things that you watch. Take notes when something interesting happens or you learn something new. Pay special attention to visual or dynamic elements that you wouldn't get able to glean directly from literature. Occasionally reflect on your writings.

Visual media is actually quite rich, even if it's true that the subject matter isn't always wholesome. What's important is not consuming passively unless you mean to, and for your active engagement to be something you can fold meaningfully into your overall experience of life.

I did. I haven't watched much TV ( and facebook too) for almost 6 years. I feel strange like alien whenever I see people watching crazy news and dramas. I login to facebook if only someone PMs ( like twice-thrice in year ) but believe me those few seconds are like hell and want to get out of it as soon as possible.

I replaced "normal" TV with occasional documentaries, news, educational programs, TED talks, etc. If I'm feeling lazy and don't want to read a book, something like Vice on HBO is pretty legit.

You're still possibly 'learning without doing'

I can watch Bon Apetit videos but until I start actually making desserts in my spare time, I won't actually be able to frost a cake

This is a great insight. Very actionable for any cooking, home improvement etc type shows

> I replaced all TV time with reading time

Super profitable if you're a sci-fi fan.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com