Couch Potatoes - More Disturbing News
Fellow couch potatoes, I just read the following news and frankly I am a little worried but its not what you think…. According to a recent survey, the average American spends over 4.5 hours per day watching television. Author, Katherine Westphal insists that is far too much time wasted on something that is a highly destructive influence on families, individuals, and society. In order to get her message across, she has written two companion books to both warn people of the dangers of TV and help them overcome their TV addiction. The books are available through her website, TrashYourTV.com.
“The Awful Truth About Television” summarizes Ms. Westphal’s extensive research into the damaging effects of television, from the addictive effects on individuals to the community-destroying impact on society.
The second book “The TV-Free Workbook” brings these effects to life with such exercises as calculating the amount of time a family watches TV and taking pictures of family members while they are engrossed in a program, capturing on film the zombie-like look that is so common among viewers.
“It’s very family-oriented and practical,” says Ms. Westphal. “This grew out of both my research and the hands-on experience of getting my three kids and me away from TV.” She continues, “Most people don’t realize just how harmful watching too much TV can be for their health and well-being. If they did, they would probably start tossing them out their windows.”
She admits the effects can be subtle and that it can take effort to notice them. Another method for viewers to become aware of these effects is to go without television for a time. The TV-Turnoff Week, which begins April 24th this year, is a perfect opportunity for viewers to test how much their TV’s have taken over their lives. The TV-Turnoff Network has sponsored TV-Turnoff Week every year since 1995.
Watching TV is fast becoming a full-time job for the average American. According to Nielsen Media Research, Inc., the average American watches 4 hours 32 minutes daily, or 32 hours 42 minutes per week. The workbook creates a format for people to turn off their televisions and follow their dreams instead.
“I don’t tell people what they should be doing with this time,” says Ms. Westphal. “I show people what they could be doing. I think a lot of dreams are being sucked into television sets across the globe. I sincerely hope this book empowers people to get away from their TV’s and to start creating healthier lives, more vibrant communities, and a more prosperous and peaceful world.”
Now, this kind of anti couch potato lifestyle propaganda is really starting to get out of hand. We need to stamp this out before it goes too far. Our way of life is a personal choice and one of only a few harmless ways to enjoy yourself.
Ignore those who would deprive you of your couch potato status. Just say “No!”