Admitting You Have a Problem
When I was younger, my parents would always say that I was a “TV-aholic.” I have very fond memories of the programs I watched as a kid—Boy Meets World, Family Matters, Step by Step. You can’t really fault the shows I liked; they’re wholesome enough. In fact, I watch mostly these same shows today-only in syndication. Indeed, my parents’ problem with my media consumption was not the quality of the programs (they’re all basically positive and family-friendly), but in the quantity.
My parents were right about my rabid consumption of media; it is a hindrance. I’m convinced that television fasts, like fasts from food, would give me a quieter lifestyle with more time for prayer. So far I’ve only succeeded, however, in temporarily substituting one media source for another. For example, I’ve found that books are much more portable (and therefore accessible) than TVs (I’m currently in love with Ted Dekker). So, I’ve always been a prolific reader (and because my mother is a librarian, this pastime hasn’t been met by the same criticism as being a prolific TV-watcher). In recent years, I’ve also acquired a laptop, so I spend a great deal of time online looking up various things. I especially like to look at podcasts of some of my favorite bands. Like every other college student in America, I have an MP3 player and I love listening to loud Christian rock, so sometimes even my peaceful walks around campus are set to the driving tempo of screaming noise. Even when I’m trying stay away from the media, my fingers sometimes type the URL for Facebook without my conscious knowledge. So, my “quiet” time eventually becomes filled with noise anyway. Not bad noise in and of itself, but noise that drowns out the Voice I’m really looking for.
So, over time, I have only become more addicted to the media. My media habits have diversified to include TV, movies, magazines, books, music, and the internet—often all at the same time. Yes, I’m guilty of televisaphonerneting, quizjacking, and wi-fiving. I’m not sure what I would do without the media. Maybe my parents were right to say I was a “TV-aholic”. Maybe I should take the first step and admit I have a problem. “Hi, I’m Cairna and I’m addicted to the media.” (“Hi Cairna.”)
When I was younger, my parents would always say that I was a “TV-aholic.” I have very fond memories of the programs I watched as a kid—Boy Meets World, Family Matters, Step by Step. You can’t really fault the shows I liked; they’re wholesome enough. In fact, I watch mostly these same shows today-only in syndication. Indeed, my parents’ problem with my media consumption was not the quality of the programs (they’re all basically positive and family-friendly), but in the quantity.
My parents were right about my rabid consumption of media; it is a hindrance. I’m convinced that television fasts, like fasts from food, would give me a quieter lifestyle with more time for prayer. So far I’ve only succeeded, however, in temporarily substituting one media source for another. For example, I’ve found that books are much more portable (and therefore accessible) than TVs (I’m currently in love with Ted Dekker). So, I’ve always been a prolific reader (and because my mother is a librarian, this pastime hasn’t been met by the same criticism as being a prolific TV-watcher). In recent years, I’ve also acquired a laptop, so I spend a great deal of time online looking up various things. I especially like to look at podcasts of some of my favorite bands. Like every other college student in America, I have an MP3 player and I love listening to loud Christian rock, so sometimes even my peaceful walks around campus are set to the driving tempo of screaming noise. Even when I’m trying stay away from the media, my fingers sometimes type the URL for Facebook without my conscious knowledge. So, my “quiet” time eventually becomes filled with noise anyway. Not bad noise in and of itself, but noise that drowns out the Voice I’m really looking for.
So, over time, I have only become more addicted to the media. My media habits have diversified to include TV, movies, magazines, books, music, and the internet—often all at the same time. Yes, I’m guilty of televisaphonerneting, quizjacking, and wi-fiving. I’m not sure what I would do without the media. Maybe my parents were right to say I was a “TV-aholic”. Maybe I should take the first step and admit I have a problem. “Hi, I’m Cairna and I’m addicted to the media.” (“Hi Cairna.”)
4 comments:
Carina;
When I was younger, Family Matters was probably my favorite television show. It was and is a great show as it shows a lot of reality in a working class family, and does not present the 'Leave it to Beaver' style, as no family is perfect. It also tackled some pretty tough issues in society where many shows of the era did not present the true reality of life. Half my career in elementary school, I would also walk around and say "did I do that?".
I was definately a TV addict when I was younger as well. It's lessened a bit since I've gotten older, but I've noticed I'm still feeding the habit because I just started buying all of those TV shows I used to watch. I can say I am the proud owner of "Are You Afraid of the Dark?", "Clarissa Explains It All", "Boy Meets World", and the list goes on. So I guess you could say I never really shook the addiction. I simply added other forms of media to it. *Sigh*.
Hello Cairna. My name is Liz, and I am a media addict too.
As a kid I watched way too much TV and have since cut down dramatically. I was a fan of Family Matters, Full House, Boy Meets World, Home Improvement, and the list goes on I'm sure but that's all that is currently coming to mind. These shows were good family friendly shows that set good examples, but they still kept me glued to TV for hours at a time. I guess that also makes me a former media addict
Loved the "tv-aholic" anecdote! Im so involved with my t.v. shows and don't miss any new episodes of my favorites either! I have so many happy memories of spending time with friends and family watching the "it" shows of that time period. When I was younger it almost brought you closer with your family if you shared a favorite show, it definately can be named my favorite form of media that I cannot live without!
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