Violence On Television

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Violence on Television

Since its introduction, television has increased in popularity to such an extent that the TV has become the electronic member of the family. The TV can hypnotize us and lure us into worlds of fantasy and adventure as we escape from our worries and cares. It can also inform us and bring us up to date on the latest news. The TV can be a teacher, a friend, and a source of knowledge and information, or it can have a negative effect on our behavior. No matter what effect television has on a person, it is often possible to know someone's lifestyle by observing the way he watches TV.
When the television was first introduced, critics claimed that it would be mind numbing, addictive, and utterly passive. These critics were describing the stereotypical TV watcher, the Addict. As his name implies, this person's life revolves around watching television. TV is like a drug to him, and he cannot get enough of it. He epitomizes the couch potato and the “boob” in boob tube, and can often be described as intellectually empty, especially while he is watching TV. The Addict lives hand to mouth from the potato chip bag. He is lazy and will often go for hours without moving from the television.
If the Addict is not glued in front of the TV, he is most likely to be found paging through his latest issue of TV guide, carefully selecting the shows which he will watch that week and marking them off with a highlighter. On an average day the Addict will come home from work or school, put off all responsibilities, and escape into the world of TV. In this world, the Addict has no demands or responsibilities. The TV becomes his only focus of attention, and all of his energy goes into staring at the TV. While watching one of his favorite shows, the Addict becomes totally oblivious to the world around him.
He will not answer his phone, talk to his family or friends, or do anything else which may distract from his viewing pleasure. He lives to watch TV.
Just as the Addict emerged with the invention of the TV, the Surfer arose with the invention of the remote control. When a Surfer sits down to watch television, he first grabs the remote before anyone else can get to it. He turns on the TV with the remote, and it does not leave his grasp until he is finished watching. He is constantly changing the channels and will pause on a particular show only for a moment.

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