“When you’re young, you look at television and think, There’s a conspiracy. The networks have conspired to dumb us down. But when you get a little older, you realize that’s not true. The networks are in business to give people exactly what they want. That’s a far more depressing thought. Conspiracy is optimistic! You can shoot the bastards! We can have a revolution! But the networks are really in business to give people what they want. It’s the truth.”
— Steve Jobs
......................... I was just curious if anyone has actually cut the cord and what it was like.
buster
busterBeach FanaticSoWal286 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
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28scooterbug44
scooterbug44SoWal ExpertSowal16,706 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
Absolutely wonderful! Far harder these days with the internet and TVs in eating places, but so nice to get away. Your stress level really drops too.
Bob
BobSoWal InsiderO'Wal10,368 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Insider
but tv gave us tv dinners
Carol G
Carol GBeach FanaticPoint Washington1,920 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
I haven't had cable/broadcast TV in a couple years now, and I don't miss it. I do have a television though, for watching dvds and streaming Netflix, and I have begun watching a few tv shows on there. No commercials or advertising, no interruptions, and watch at your own pace - it's an entirely different experience.
Beach Runner
Beach Runnerbeats on hoodNear the ATL and in SoWal as often as possible15,269 postsJoined View profileMessagebeats on hood
We have the TV on whenever we are awake. Like the morning news, Kathie Lee and Hoda, the noon news, Food Network, more CNN, movies, certain TV shows.
During college footbal season on Saturdays we watch Sports Center and watch as many games as possible, while fitting in cooking a nice dinner. We have some great conversations while watching the games.
When January comes we watch a lot of college basketball. We have a blast doing that.
Weekends in the spring and summer are for golf and the big tennis tournaments. Great to nap with the whispering in the background of a golf tournament.
So basically we like watching news, sports, movies, and a few random TV shows together. We enjoy cooking. That's not an all-inclusive list.
We have a TV in our bathroom. Don't want to miss anything while getting dressed to go to work or go out.
Our rental guests leave notes saying that they love how we have TVs and DVD players in every room.
So to answer your question, hellnaw we wouldn't get rid of TV.
During college footbal season on Saturdays we watch Sports Center and watch as many games as possible, while fitting in cooking a nice dinner. We have some great conversations while watching the games.
When January comes we watch a lot of college basketball. We have a blast doing that.
Weekends in the spring and summer are for golf and the big tennis tournaments. Great to nap with the whispering in the background of a golf tournament.
So basically we like watching news, sports, movies, and a few random TV shows together. We enjoy cooking. That's not an all-inclusive list.
We have a TV in our bathroom. Don't want to miss anything while getting dressed to go to work or go out.
Our rental guests leave notes saying that they love how we have TVs and DVD players in every room.
So to answer your question, hellnaw we wouldn't get rid of TV.
passin thrupassin thruBeach Fanatic343 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
Yes, I killed mine & then took a proofreading course.
scooterbug44
scooterbug44SoWal ExpertSowal16,706 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
Ironically watching Wheel of Fortune improves one's spelling.
Kurt
KurtAdminSoWal2,472 postsJoined View profileMessageAdmin
Ironically watching Wheel of Fortune improves one's spelling.
It has also taught people that there are 2 types of letters - vowels and nonvowels.
And then there are probably some who would buy a "bowel".
Teresa
TeresaSoWal GuideSouth Walton, FL30,976 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Guide
I haven't had cable/broadcast TV in a couple years now, and I don't miss it. I do have a television though, for watching dvds and streaming Netflix, and I have begun watching a few tv shows on there. No commercials or advertising, no interruptions, and watch at your own pace - it's an entirely different experience.
that is exactly what I want to do. Except that I have gotten so far removed from TV that I don't even know or care about what's available to watch via Netflix. I have a zillion Direct TV channels and do not watch one, unless Letterman is on at bed time (and I did not turn it on). Should I force myself? I know I'm missing some good stuff but don't care anymore!!!! I only want NPR or music or quiet. I'm missing some dang good cooking shows!
Edited
salidaco
salidacoBeach Lover148 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Lover
We unplugged cable last year. Don't miss it
mputnalmputnalBeach Fanatic2,396 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
My solution to the TV pollution. For every hour you watch TV spend an hour outdoors. Outdoors can be any activity requiring you to move your body. I just started trying to do this and right now the TV is winning but I will keep at it because it is really a matter of life and death (recent AMA study).
That said- I love news, sports, discovery channel, animal planet, history channel, entourage, curb your enthusiasm, HBO documentaries and FOOTBALL (IMO this is similiar to religion). I am thinking of cutting out the news (CNN,FOX,ABC,CNBC) for my first round of TV cuts. Discovery channel and Animal Planet next. HBO docs and NFL Network rounds out my list of TV cuts. Wow, maybe I will have more time for naps, exercise and healthy dieting.
That said- I love news, sports, discovery channel, animal planet, history channel, entourage, curb your enthusiasm, HBO documentaries and FOOTBALL (IMO this is similiar to religion). I am thinking of cutting out the news (CNN,FOX,ABC,CNBC) for my first round of TV cuts. Discovery channel and Animal Planet next. HBO docs and NFL Network rounds out my list of TV cuts. Wow, maybe I will have more time for naps, exercise and healthy dieting.
NotDeadYet
NotDeadYetBeach Fanatic1,416 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
I'm curious about those of you who have unplugged. Did you just stop watching tv, or are you streaming off the computer, or just watching dvd's,, or using something like Roku?
I'm thinking about not renewing my Dish contract when it expires. I'd like to still be able to watch some tv, but the amount I watch is really not worth the cost.
I'm thinking about not renewing my Dish contract when it expires. I'd like to still be able to watch some tv, but the amount I watch is really not worth the cost.
violetsdressvioletsdressBeach Comber15 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Comber
I gave up on cable television almost ten years ago. I do not miss it one iota. I do however utilize netflix. It's amazing to me how much people base their life on TV. I am consistently asked, "did you see this ... last night etc. etc.".
scooterbug44
scooterbug44SoWal ExpertSowal16,706 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
It varies - my most extreme time I went completely off the grid for a 35 day wilderness trip in Northern Canada. No radio, no tv, no phones, and we would go days without seeing any other humans or signs of humans. This is a bit much as you start to hate "civilization".
Another time I lived in Europe for a year and the only TV I saw was some soccer and an attempt at watching the Super Bowl. Never missed it, so many better things to do.
In Sowal I lived for a year with no TV by choice, but had roommates to entertain me and we went to see movies regularly.
Spent years vacationing with no TV and loved it, but after decades of bliss, the family vacation house is now my brother's house, so there is now a giant plasma TV, DVR, and satellite so he and my father can (and do) watch it 24/7.
Now I have basic TV and have it on a lot for noise most of the time, but it always loses to another activity - especially now that I can watch anything I catch anything important (basically News or Project Runway) online.
Another time I lived in Europe for a year and the only TV I saw was some soccer and an attempt at watching the Super Bowl. Never missed it, so many better things to do.
In Sowal I lived for a year with no TV by choice, but had roommates to entertain me and we went to see movies regularly.
Spent years vacationing with no TV and loved it, but after decades of bliss, the family vacation house is now my brother's house, so there is now a giant plasma TV, DVR, and satellite so he and my father can (and do) watch it 24/7.
Now I have basic TV and have it on a lot for noise most of the time, but it always loses to another activity - especially now that I can watch anything I catch anything important (basically News or Project Runway) online.
Teresa
TeresaSoWal GuideSouth Walton, FL30,976 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Guide
I'm curious about those of you who have unplugged. Did you just stop watching tv, or are you streaming off the computer, or just watching dvd's,, or using something like Roku?
I'm thinking about not renewing my Dish contract when it expires. I'd like to still be able to watch some tv, but the amount I watch is really not worth the cost.
well, we are still plugged in, we just don't turn it on unless we are ready to relax and watch something specific. only once or twice a week - usually bed time. It is so nice not having TV on in the bacikground. Whenever I visit family or friends with TVs blaring constantly, it is very hard to relax, converse, concentrate. I just try to get the volume down and ignore it. Background noise is all it is - and it is annoying to me now...
We will unplug completely eventually and come up with some kind of streaming solution, I am guessing.
Edited
scooterbug44
scooterbug44SoWal ExpertSowal16,706 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
I am constantly turning off or muting TVs. Rarely is anyone watching them.
Abby Prentiss
Abby PrentissBeach Fanatic577 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
What kind of TV does netflix have?
Carol G
Carol GBeach FanaticPoint Washington1,920 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
Tootsie, it sounds like you would probably be just fine with netflix, as long as you are ok without the background noise, sports, etc. It did take some getting used to, but now I really enjoy it.
I stream netflix through a Playstation 3. They have many of the most popular TV shows - this summer I watched the first 6 seasons of Weeds. No commercials, in order, as many episodes as I wanted, when I wanted - it was great! However, they don't have the latest seasons yet, and that is the case with most of their available television shows. I am sure they have some cooking shows, but I don't know how good they are!
I had hulu plus for a few months, but for me, it wasn't worth it. I used it to watch recent episodes of Grey's Anatomy, but they have several commercials during each episode; actually one commercial that they repeat 6-8 times an episode. Very annoying. You can watch newer episodes for free on the network websites, also with commercials, so that's what I do now, on my laptop.
What I'd really like is a mac mini, using my TV for a monitor, with a bluetooth keyboard and mouse, and stream directly to my television, from the computer. It opens up an entire new range of possibilities. If you don't want to go that far, there are options for wirelessly streaming from your computer to a device connected to your TV.
I stream netflix through a Playstation 3. They have many of the most popular TV shows - this summer I watched the first 6 seasons of Weeds. No commercials, in order, as many episodes as I wanted, when I wanted - it was great! However, they don't have the latest seasons yet, and that is the case with most of their available television shows. I am sure they have some cooking shows, but I don't know how good they are!
I had hulu plus for a few months, but for me, it wasn't worth it. I used it to watch recent episodes of Grey's Anatomy, but they have several commercials during each episode; actually one commercial that they repeat 6-8 times an episode. Very annoying. You can watch newer episodes for free on the network websites, also with commercials, so that's what I do now, on my laptop.
What I'd really like is a mac mini, using my TV for a monitor, with a bluetooth keyboard and mouse, and stream directly to my television, from the computer. It opens up an entire new range of possibilities. If you don't want to go that far, there are options for wirelessly streaming from your computer to a device connected to your TV.
DuneAHH
DuneAHHBeach FanaticPt Washington - west ;)3,072 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
It's doubtful I'll go completely off the TV grid until the collapse forces me to. However, choosing to watch stuff on/from a computer gives a sense of being in more control of one's personal 'programming' choices. If cable companies offered ala-carte menu planning I'll bet it would be a real come-to-Geesus for the networks 😉
I said NO! to network-news-nonsense years ago, which instantly improved my state of mind. My preference is educational programming. Now that even my old stand-by, the history channel, has fallen into the abyss of shows like axe men, ice road truckers, and swamp people (wtf??)... No Thanks.
With that... over the summer I discovered the wonders of how-to videos on u-tube!!! (now trying to figure out how to watch from my computer on TV without a big investment in time & accessories).
In my experience, men are generally more attached to TV than women.
OK, gentlemen... bring it on!! LOL!!
I said NO! to network-news-nonsense years ago, which instantly improved my state of mind. My preference is educational programming. Now that even my old stand-by, the history channel, has fallen into the abyss of shows like axe men, ice road truckers, and swamp people (wtf??)... No Thanks.
With that... over the summer I discovered the wonders of how-to videos on u-tube!!! (now trying to figure out how to watch from my computer on TV without a big investment in time & accessories).
In my experience, men are generally more attached to TV than women.
OK, gentlemen... bring it on!! LOL!!
Teresa
TeresaSoWal GuideSouth Walton, FL30,976 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Guide
Tootsie, it sounds like you would probably be just fine with netflix, as long as you are ok without the background noise, sports, etc. It did take some getting used to, but now I really enjoy it.
I stream netflix through a Playstation 3. They have many of the most popular TV shows - this summer I watched the first 6 seasons of Weeds. No commercials, in order, as many episodes as I wanted, when I wanted - it was great! However, they don't have the latest seasons yet, and that is the case with most of their available television shows. I am sure they have some cooking shows, but I don't know how good they are!
I had hulu plus for a few months, but for me, it wasn't worth it. I used it to watch recent episodes of Grey's Anatomy, but they have several commercials during each episode; actually one commercial that they repeat 6-8 times an episode. Very annoying. You can watch newer episodes for free on the network websites, also with commercials, so that's what I do now, on my laptop.
What I'd really like is a mac mini, using my TV for a monitor, with a bluetooth keyboard and mouse, and stream directly to my television, from the computer. It opens up an entire new range of possibilities. If you don't want to go that far, there are options for wirelessly streaming from your computer to a device connected to your TV.
well, I've got the PS3. I need to just try it!
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