Is TV necessary? Does anyone out there NOT have a TV?

I'm thinking of getting rid of my cable service and just go with bad reception network TV. Just to watch the news and maybe a few shows.


I feel that TV has become a major intrusion. I don't want to be inundated with all those images anymore that have nothing to do with my own life.


Anyone doesn't have a TV at all or maybe just network reception? And why? And do you feel that you're missing out on what's going on in the world and in popular culture? Is TV necessary?

Is TV necessary? Does anyone out there NOT have a TV?
I have a tv, but no cable. We don't even get just network reception here, and I don't have the slightest problem with it. If I need to know what's going on in the world, I can always look it up on cnn.com or something. I think NOT having a tv makes it a lot easier to go out and do things.
Reply:it's not necessary for me. i have a TV, mainly to keep my visitors entertained, %26amp; cuz i guess my place would look funny without one. i really only watch it during the half hour it takes me to eat dinner. otherwise, i prefer to spend my free time absorbed in a good book.
Reply:I feel as if Amercians have become addicted to television. It is not a neccessity to have a t.v. You can live without it. Personallly I am trying to cut back on watching t.v. Although we are not the country that watches television the most it is the Swedens.
Reply:you have a lot more courage than me my friend. I don't think I could ever give up tv. Especially cable. Network doesn't have too many good shows except for the CSIs and NBC's Thursday night line up.
Reply:I love TV, i tried to live with out one for a while but I just went crazy.





So yes we need it, it is the best cheap for of entertainment.
Reply:I must admit I enjoy my TV after a stressful day Satellite has so many choices its relaxing..besides my kids would kill me if I ever got rid of it..
Reply:I don't watch TV near as much as I used to.


I am on the PC more now. It isn't necessary,but comes in handy once in a while!
Reply:Well, I just have network reception at home, because my dad doesn't want to purchase the cable service. but it works out ok. I have no problem without a cable service. Basically I do not watch TV that much since i have no time and my free time, if i have any, goes to internet surfing.
Reply:well,its kinda good because there are some important thing that needs to be heard but there should be a limit of watching it. Life will definitely be boring without tv, then u wouldn't know whats going on around you
Reply:I have a tv but it doesn't have good reception so I don't watch it. Actually I think people on the internet are experiencing more authentic popular culture than tv watchers.


Remember--"watching tv requires no skills and improves no skills." At least on the internet you're actively thinking.
Reply:i didn't have TV for the longest time, and i didn't miss it. i didnt watch enough for the $40/month cable bill...
Reply:I gave up TV and took up the Internet. What's the difference?
Reply:i got rid of my cable, and couldn't be happier. news is the only thing worth watching. and any shows i want to watch, i can do it online. much cheaper.
Reply:your on your way to being one of those wierd people that everyone avoids. turn around now,come back to the real world before its too late.
Reply:I have seven tv's in my house. They are good for when you're bored and stuff.
Reply:I don't have a TV and have not for a very long time. I never miss it and am thankful that my mind is not being poisoned on a daily basis. Although I suppose the Internet is not much better, talk radio just doesn't cut it 100% of the time. Main stream media is politically driven anyway (propaganda garbage) but some things, like the weather you do need to know. I suggest lose the TV, watch your shows on their networks website or sites such as veoh.com and youtube.com. Watch your news on sites like reuters.com or drudgereport.com. The Internet is definitely all you need and personally I don't see how any one could have the time to do both.
Reply:I love to have the cable turned off for the summer. It makes the kids find something creative to do...I have always believed that the tv affects them negatively, sucks their brain cells out, turns them into couch potatoes, and teaches them to disrespect me and be mean to each other (sit-coms often have stupid parents who are parented by the kids...need I say more??).





On the other hand, after 9/11, I had a desperate need for information, and reassurance, and I offered the cable company extra money to re-connect me ASAP.





There are a lot of bad things about TV, including it being a waste of time. When we sit in front of the tv, claiming it is "family time", we are all focused on the tv, and NOT on each other, and if someone speaks while the tv is on, we all shush them, and act like hearing the tv is MUCH more important than anything they have to say....





Thanks!! You've really made me think about it!!!
Reply:TV is more of an obbsession. we'd all die without tv. AND DONT TOUCH MY COMPUTER!!!!!!!!!
Reply:Well TV is bad for your brain. Because it gets locked in your brain and you will want to watch it every time.Same with computers.





I only have 1 TV because it is a bad habit and it also takes away from my grades. I just got rid of a TV And now i am the top of my class when i was in the middle.





Its very bad for you. I would say just go with whatever just dont watch it a lot. Have a daily limit
Reply:No it isn't. I don't have cable... I only watch a few shows, such as American Idol, Family Guy %26amp; American Dad.
Reply:if tv dictates your life that can be a bad thing list your hours and minutes for an average day i think you might find 30 minutes put to better use. dont try to fill all 14 hours at once.
Reply:I have a tv but not cable. I used to want certain stations on cable but the more I thought about it, the more I felt the same way. T.V. wastes so much time. I have a few shows I like to watch but other then that it takes so much precious time away from our already short lives.





Tonight for instance I wanted to watch something on T.V. but instead I took my son out in the yard. I was having a crappy time at first but then I realized what a great time I was having with my son and if I had stayed inside all I would have been doing was sitting on the couch while my son learned to be just as lazy. Instead I was able to provide my son with a few hours of quality time and excersize.
Reply:own 4 and watch none!!
Reply:I didn't have a TV until my husband brought his with him when we got married. I still don't watch much, though we bought a big screen a year ago. I don't think I miss out on much, I have the internet, and I do use it a lot. I don't see much use in the TV, but he still loves it, and he feels it relaxes him. It's not actually hurting me, so I don't fuss about having it, but when he's not home, I don't watch it!
Reply:I haven't had TV or cable in ... at least 30 years. Don't miss it a bit, 'cept for some of the nature documentaries. I have a television and a DVD/Video player. Watch the vids I want (and some I goofed big time one but ...). Don't miss the garbage at all. I get a lot more done, too.
Reply:Well, it's certainly not a necessity. I have a friend who's never owned a tv set before. She doesn't feel like she's missing out on a lot.





However, I have another friend who's tv has been taken for servicing and she's really miserable without it.





It really depends on you and your viewpoint. If you never watch cable and you're taking it away, good for you. You have more important things in your life.
Reply:I don't have a TV. And I haven't for about 4 years. Sometimes I miss it. But most of time I don't. I am very big into music. And when I am bored, I find something around the house to fix or clean. But when I go to someones house that does have TV, I find myslef falling in to trans watching it. Like there is nothing around kinda dazz. But other then that, No I don't miss it about.