For those of you that ditched television.... - Page 3

**JTG** · 05-26-2012, 09:29 AM

	Originally Posted by BlackFlames To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	how and the hell do you do it?? When did you do it? I didnt really want to ask why but, WHY anyway? And if I decide to ditch TV as well, do you have any advice? Did you regret at some point and just learn to deal with it and discipline yourself?

As others have said, television is borderline useless. There is some nice content available, but most of it can be obtained elsewhere, whether by renting DVDs, movie/series subscriptions (netflix/etc), or other means.

The internet has replaced television for me, although i'll still watch a little if something interesting (comedy or cartoons) is showing

**Mr Fibuli** · 05-26-2012, 10:21 AM

	Originally Posted by Distance To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Oh, are you talking about ditching the physical TV set? If so, don't. Watching movies on your computer can be so unsatisfying.

I can't sit at the computer just watching video for long stretches of time. I have a TV and it's often playing DVDs. As for cable, I need it if I want broadband internet. I haven't watched more than science/astronomy/forensics/crime/history shows here and there as a lot of that is actually interesting and educational. If I really like it, I'll buy the season/set DVDs. I haven't watched a network channel in decades.

Ads? what ads? It's easy to find the 'mute' button on my remote because that's the one with the text rubbed off. I'll get distracted during an ad and miss half a show anyway since I'll be doing something else when the show comes back on.

TV also a great non-chemical sleep aid.
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**UKsplendid** · 05-29-2012, 09:49 AM

I really didn't have to try or think about ditching T.V, unless I'm watching a new episode of american dad, south park etc or a documentary I have the sensation that my sanity is being relentlessly attacked by what I'm watching.

I can't help but analyse what the person who writes an advert is thinking when they made it, I've come to the conclusion that those people are really the scum of the earth. The writers of 99% shows are so utterly talentless, so utterly void of any creativity that it pains me to watch their shamelessly re hashed and base instinct exploiting excuses for plotlines. If I see one more werewolf, vampire or housewife rolling in the vast folds of her smugness as her husband does something stupid I'm going to burst into flames.

**Dung** · 05-29-2012, 10:04 AM

I was born without one. No need.

**Uncle Mort** · 05-29-2012, 01:01 PM

	Originally Posted by Dung To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I was born without one. No need.

You were born without a computer but you appear to have found a use for one. Come to think of it you were also born naked. Are you clothed?

That aside the 'golden age' of TV has long gone, now there are too many channels, too much dross. But it's still worth retaining for the occasional 'nugget'

**CakeZ** · 05-29-2012, 01:05 PM

I just stopped watching because there is nothing of interest on television anymore. On occasion I will use Netflix for old Star Trek episodes, but that's about it. I have too much other stuff to worry about.

**Winklepicker** · 05-29-2012, 01:38 PM

I don't remember the last time I pressed the "on" button...like...for years.
Not really self-discipline for me at all, I just find most of it dumb/annoying/waste of time.

I feel differently about the occasional movie, though.

**Nadette** · 05-29-2012, 01:49 PM

I feel like tv might be dying out actually. Many shows are available online or netflix and the internet has become really entertaining. Most of the people I know don't watch a ton of tv. It also depends on how you define tv.

I have a tv for dvds and video games, but it doesn't get any channels. I have a handful of shows I keep up with online. I didn't grow up with a tv so I never experienced withdrawal.

**MortalWombat** · 05-30-2012, 12:27 AM

I don't own a tv and don't watch it on anyone else's. What's the point? I can find the weather online, the news is lying to you every night, the mindless shows are benefiting in no way, endless commercials whining in your ear to spend money you don't have on things you don't need, and in the end you're just paying a bill for a box that is just sucking the life out of you. You're wasting time loafing around in front of it, you're wasting money on it, and for what benefit?

I sometimes use a friend's Netflix to watch a movie or show, but even that is rare. I can't stand to just sit around and stare at a screen anymore. The computer is alright, at least I'm being interactive and putting my mind to use. But tv just isn't my thing. I stopped watching a while ago and I've felt nothing but better.

**Hariar** · 05-30-2012, 12:41 AM

I don't have a TV, never felt the need to get one. Most of the stuff I would want to watch is on the national state channel, and all the interesting stuff there is available online for like a week or longer. It would be preferable to have a bigger screen, though, but I can't be bothered for the moment. I don't have any DVDs here anyway.

**zibber** · 05-30-2012, 12:50 AM

I've gone without DVD for years and get my audiovisual stimulation from piracy and underground screenings, but when I was in CA last summer, in an area dependent on slow satellite internet with something like a 200MB daily data limit, that was a different fucking story.

**Anhedonic Lake** · 05-31-2012, 09:10 AM

No big lose. The internet, DVDs and Netflix give me a far more varied choice with no annoying commercials.

**Done** · 06-02-2012, 10:54 PM

TV jerked my brain like a yo-yo toy.. Cheesy celebrity voices, stupid action-packed content with dumb plots, stupid ads and a sense of guilt at the end of a wasted day... Then i took the tv out of my room and lived happily ever after.

**davai** · 06-03-2012, 06:41 PM

Watching tv all day just saves time and money for me. Don't need to read books because everything i need to know is on there, and basically tells me what to think anyway so my opinions are well formed and moderate. Provides all entertainment for me, so no need for expensive trips outside. Don't need a social life when soaps are on every day. Adverts let me know what i need to buy, and the news tells me what's really happening in the world.

**MacheteGeek** · 06-06-2012, 02:41 PM

1)Nothing worth watching.
2)Not worth bothering to keep checking for stuff worth watching.
3)$75 I don't need to spend for nothing.
4)Netflix. (No commercials)

All I can advise is that you find something else to do.

**PovertyPenalty** · 06-06-2012, 03:33 PM

Maybe if ESPN3 on the 360 gets better I'll ditch the TV. Until then I have TV for sports and to appease the girlfriend. I mean, who wants to miss RuPaul's Drag Race, amirite?

**Cozzine** · 06-06-2012, 04:45 PM

As I matured, I went from being a chronic tv-watcher to more reading books and going online. I have always been a heavy reader, but when you mature and move out of the house you begin to realize what you need, and don't need.
I didn't need TV. I did need books and internet though.

TV became irritating, and a little frustrating at times in regards to commercials. Not only that, but I felt lazy and unachieving while laying on a couch watching tv.
The only channels I really watched on tv and might make it worthwhile is the Discovery Channel, National Geographic, and Syfy (which is going downhill imo; why is wrestling displayed on the syfy channel?)

I think a large number of people here stopped watching tv when they moved out. You may not have that luxury. Why don't you turn more to things like books, and the internet, to get away from tv?
98% of what is on TV is a waste of time, and you aren't making efficient use of your time. Neither are you using it to your potential by expanding on your knowledge.

Get rid of your tv, and then get rid of cable, and you'll be set to go.

**tms1337** · 06-07-2012, 03:58 PM

I pay a small fee (around $10 a month) in lieu of having standard cable. This way I can download only the shows that I want to see, commercial free. There's never the temptation to just sit around and channel surf. Plus, I save money. All of my free time is pretty much occupied by my hobbies, so if I do watch TV it's at the end of the night when I'm ready to drop out.

**Amphorian** · 06-07-2012, 04:21 PM

No I don't really watch many TV shows. I did increase a bit more of late (caught up with an older show), but it isn't that big of a deal to me. With shows being made into DVDs, downloadable series, or on Netflix/Internet I can watch them whenever I want. And I don't have to finish a series to be satisfied.

I love HGTV though. The ones where they fix up homes or the landscape. But not the, 'Oh let's pick between three places to rent/own for a show!'. I also prefer movies and video games over TV series.

**The Dan Keizer** · 06-07-2012, 04:24 PM

LOL I pretty much ditched it by becoming too poor to pay for cable and get a flatscreen.

I was a big fan of horror and action films since I was a youngster, and after a year of no TV I noticed that I was once again repulsed by people getting shot, or injured, or eaten etc.

It was like I once again... had respect for human lives. Now people tell me about horrible crimes they heard about on the news with people getting killed and burned and it makes me cringe and go, "Oh, God! Why??" Whereas before stories like that would make me laugh and I would ask for more details.

---------- Post added 06-07-2012 at 07:26 PM ----------

Like my man that got his face eaten down in Florida? My girlfriend showed me a picture of his mutilated bloody face on her phone, just held it up in front of me unexpected. It nearly made me cry. I didn't cry but I was genuinely sad for him, which at one point you could never have gotten out of me.

**Saggita** · 06-07-2012, 04:56 PM

I have quite a nice flatscreen at home -- but I just connect to my laptop and use it as a even bigger monitor instead of a TV. My focus shifted from TV to books and internet.

I can even use internet to download some -- good -- TV shows. So why do I need TV again?

**leslissocool** · 06-07-2012, 05:48 PM

I watch the TV I want on netflix, or computer. I ditched cable over a year ago. Best decision ever, the stuff I watch are never on anyways so what's the point of paying?

I actually also don't have a cell phone anymore. I absolutely DETEST phones.

**INTJane** · 06-08-2012, 01:55 AM

We went without a television for nine years, then finally got one when we wanted to watch. I stopped watching TV again years ago, but I do watch DVDs, Netflix, and occasionally a show online. Advice? Watch it if you want to, don't if you don't.

**Ghostwheel** · 06-08-2012, 03:10 AM

	Originally Posted by BlackFlames To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	how and the hell do you do it?? When did you do it? I didnt really want to ask why but, WHY anyway? And if I decide to ditch TV as well, do you have any advice? Did you regret at some point and just learn to deal with it and discipline yourself?

No interest, it seems pretty insipid to me, was very easy, all the good series' are on dvd, and the internet is much more fun.

**The Dan Keizer** · 06-08-2012, 10:23 AM

My girlfriend is one of those people that will put the TV on all day long just for background noise. It feels like somebody is rubbing my brain on a cheese grater.

05-29-2012, 09:49 AM	#53
UKsplendid Member [09%] MBTI: INFJ Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 379	I really didn't have to try or think about ditching T.V, unless I'm watching a new episode of american dad, south park etc or a documentary I have the sensation that my sanity is being relentlessly attacked by what I'm watching. I can't help but analyse what the person who writes an advert is thinking when they made it, I've come to the conclusion that those people are really the scum of the earth. The writers of 99% shows are so utterly talentless, so utterly void of any creativity that it pains me to watch their shamelessly re hashed and base instinct exploiting excuses for plotlines. If I see one more werewolf, vampire or housewife rolling in the vast folds of her smugness as her husband does something stupid I'm going to burst into flames.
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05-29-2012, 10:04 AM	#54
Dung Veteran Member [92%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 3,686	I was born without one. No need.
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05-29-2012, 01:05 PM	#56
CakeZ Member [05%] MBTI: INxJ Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 213	I just stopped watching because there is nothing of interest on television anymore. On occasion I will use Netflix for old Star Trek episodes, but that's about it. I have too much other stuff to worry about.
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05-29-2012, 01:38 PM	#57
Winklepicker Member [25%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,014	I don't remember the last time I pressed the "on" button...like...for years. Not really self-discipline for me at all, I just find most of it dumb/annoying/waste of time. I feel differently about the occasional movie, though.
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05-29-2012, 01:49 PM	#58
Nadette Member [04%] MBTI: ENFP Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 192	I feel like tv might be dying out actually. Many shows are available online or netflix and the internet has become really entertaining. Most of the people I know don't watch a ton of tv. It also depends on how you define tv. I have a tv for dvds and video games, but it doesn't get any channels. I have a handful of shows I keep up with online. I didn't grow up with a tv so I never experienced withdrawal.
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05-30-2012, 12:27 AM	#59
MortalWombat Core Member [856%] MBTI: xxxx Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 34,247	I don't own a tv and don't watch it on anyone else's. What's the point? I can find the weather online, the news is lying to you every night, the mindless shows are benefiting in no way, endless commercials whining in your ear to spend money you don't have on things you don't need, and in the end you're just paying a bill for a box that is just sucking the life out of you. You're wasting time loafing around in front of it, you're wasting money on it, and for what benefit? I sometimes use a friend's Netflix to watch a movie or show, but even that is rare. I can't stand to just sit around and stare at a screen anymore. The computer is alright, at least I'm being interactive and putting my mind to use. But tv just isn't my thing. I stopped watching a while ago and I've felt nothing but better.
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05-30-2012, 12:41 AM	#60
Hariar Member [19%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 771	I don't have a TV, never felt the need to get one. Most of the stuff I would want to watch is on the national state channel, and all the interesting stuff there is available online for like a week or longer. It would be preferable to have a bigger screen, though, but I can't be bothered for the moment. I don't have any DVDs here anyway.
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05-30-2012, 12:50 AM	#61
zibber Core Member [407%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 16,300	I've gone without DVD for years and get my audiovisual stimulation from piracy and underground screenings, but when I was in CA last summer, in an area dependent on slow satellite internet with something like a 200MB daily data limit, that was a different fucking story.
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05-31-2012, 09:10 AM	#62
Anhedonic Lake Veteran Member [61%] MBTI: INfP Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2,457	No big lose. The internet, DVDs and Netflix give me a far more varied choice with no annoying commercials.
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06-02-2012, 10:54 PM	#63
Done Member [02%] MBTI: INTP Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 106	TV jerked my brain like a yo-yo toy.. Cheesy celebrity voices, stupid action-packed content with dumb plots, stupid ads and a sense of guilt at the end of a wasted day... Then i took the tv out of my room and lived happily ever after.
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06-03-2012, 06:41 PM	#64
davai Core Member [177%] MBTI: Infp Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 7,103	Watching tv all day just saves time and money for me. Don't need to read books because everything i need to know is on there, and basically tells me what to think anyway so my opinions are well formed and moderate. Provides all entertainment for me, so no need for expensive trips outside. Don't need a social life when soaps are on every day. Adverts let me know what i need to buy, and the news tells me what's really happening in the world.
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06-06-2012, 02:41 PM	#65
MacheteGeek Member [20%] MBTI: xnTX Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 801	1)Nothing worth watching. 2)Not worth bothering to keep checking for stuff worth watching. 3)$75 I don't need to spend for nothing. 4)Netflix. (No commercials) All I can advise is that you find something else to do.
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06-06-2012, 03:33 PM	#66
PovertyPenalty Member [02%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 109	Maybe if ESPN3 on the 360 gets better I'll ditch the TV. Until then I have TV for sports and to appease the girlfriend. I mean, who wants to miss RuPaul's Drag Race, amirite?
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06-06-2012, 04:45 PM	#67
Cozzine Member [02%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 93	As I matured, I went from being a chronic tv-watcher to more reading books and going online. I have always been a heavy reader, but when you mature and move out of the house you begin to realize what you need, and don't need. I didn't need TV. I did need books and internet though. TV became irritating, and a little frustrating at times in regards to commercials. Not only that, but I felt lazy and unachieving while laying on a couch watching tv. The only channels I really watched on tv and might make it worthwhile is the Discovery Channel, National Geographic, and Syfy (which is going downhill imo; why is wrestling displayed on the syfy channel?) I think a large number of people here stopped watching tv when they moved out. You may not have that luxury. Why don't you turn more to things like books, and the internet, to get away from tv? 98% of what is on TV is a waste of time, and you aren't making efficient use of your time. Neither are you using it to your potential by expanding on your knowledge. Get rid of your tv, and then get rid of cable, and you'll be set to go.
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06-07-2012, 03:58 PM	#68
tms1337 Member [05%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 232	I pay a small fee (around $10 a month) in lieu of having standard cable. This way I can download only the shows that I want to see, commercial free. There's never the temptation to just sit around and channel surf. Plus, I save money. All of my free time is pretty much occupied by my hobbies, so if I do watch TV it's at the end of the night when I'm ready to drop out.
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06-07-2012, 04:21 PM	#69
Amphorian Core Member [311%] MBTI: ISTP Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 12,457	No I don't really watch many TV shows. I did increase a bit more of late (caught up with an older show), but it isn't that big of a deal to me. With shows being made into DVDs, downloadable series, or on Netflix/Internet I can watch them whenever I want. And I don't have to finish a series to be satisfied. I love HGTV though. The ones where they fix up homes or the landscape. But not the, 'Oh let's pick between three places to rent/own for a show!'. I also prefer movies and video games over TV series.
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06-07-2012, 04:24 PM	#70
The Dan Keizer Core Member [110%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 4,420	LOL I pretty much ditched it by becoming too poor to pay for cable and get a flatscreen. I was a big fan of horror and action films since I was a youngster, and after a year of no TV I noticed that I was once again repulsed by people getting shot, or injured, or eaten etc. It was like I once again... had respect for human lives. Now people tell me about horrible crimes they heard about on the news with people getting killed and burned and it makes me cringe and go, "Oh, God! Why??" Whereas before stories like that would make me laugh and I would ask for more details. ---------- Post added 06-07-2012 at 07:26 PM ---------- Like my man that got his face eaten down in Florida? My girlfriend showed me a picture of his mutilated bloody face on her phone, just held it up in front of me unexpected. It nearly made me cry. I didn't cry but I was genuinely sad for him, which at one point you could never have gotten out of me.
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06-07-2012, 04:56 PM	#71
Saggita Member [17%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 705	I have quite a nice flatscreen at home -- but I just connect to my laptop and use it as a even bigger monitor instead of a TV. My focus shifted from TV to books and internet. I can even use internet to download some -- good -- TV shows. So why do I need TV again?
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06-07-2012, 05:48 PM	#72
leslissocool Member [14%] MBTI: INTP Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 587	I watch the TV I want on netflix, or computer. I ditched cable over a year ago. Best decision ever, the stuff I watch are never on anyways so what's the point of paying? I actually also don't have a cell phone anymore. I absolutely DETEST phones.
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06-08-2012, 01:55 AM	#73
INTJane Core Member [1050%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 42,003	We went without a television for nine years, then finally got one when we wanted to watch. I stopped watching TV again years ago, but I do watch DVDs, Netflix, and occasionally a show online. Advice? Watch it if you want to, don't if you don't.
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06-08-2012, 10:23 AM	#75
The Dan Keizer Core Member [110%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 4,420	My girlfriend is one of those people that will put the TV on all day long just for background noise. It feels like somebody is rubbing my brain on a cheese grater.
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