TV vs. Internet
03. Nov, 2008 
10 Comments
I don’t know about you, but I’ve always considered TV to be somewhat of a black hole.
Yeah, yeah…I know TV has it’s advantages and I’m not trying to say nothing good can come out of TV (I’ll admit I’m obsessed with 24), but for the most part TV is a dead end.
You’re entertained, but your mind turns to mush. That’s it.
You may think my view on TV is extreme, and maybe, just maybe it is. But, you get my drift. So…
What about the Internet?
I would argue that TV is a one way communicator (One Lane) and the Internet is a two way communicator (Two Lanes). TV only provides value (Sometimes) to you; while the Internet gives you value (Sometimes), but you also have the option of providing value back (Lane Two).
Ok, so what? Well, I see the two way communication as a HUGE advantage. The Internet isn’t a dead end. You have the ability to provide value to others, not just soak up what’s coming your way.
Of course, it all depends on what you’re doing on the Internet. Just because the Internet can be interactive doesn’t mean it will. I of course could watch TV shows on the Internet all day long, and that wouldn’t make it any better than watching TV. The Internet is a gateway. An opportunity to participate and provide value to others. But, of course you choose whether or not you take advantage of lane two.
Ok, sweet so I can spend all my time on the Internet?
No. I’m not implying that we should all live on the Internet. I do think the Internet is better than TV, but the Internet is a pitiful substitute for real life. The Internet, just like most anything else, should be used with moderation.
So, what’s your take on TV and the Internet? Do you think one is better than the other? Do you hate me now?
I completely agree with your argument. I will admit though, depending on what TV stations you watch, it really can be educational. I have a friend who is well versed in most subjects and he is also very knowledgeable about how things are made… I asked him if he was just naturally smart and he responded that he simply watches lots of the discovery channel. Haha, who would have though! For the most part, the average TV show has very little value in it and one would be better off utilizing the 2 lanes of the net.
I agree that the internet is better then TV. When local news happens and I haven’t heard about it until someone tells me, they usually comment, “You really don’t turn on the TV do you?” It is on now with it being election day ‘08. Last night the Fargo SWAT Team was called out to the spot I was at earlier. I felt like something bad was coming down, but nothing was really going on when I was there. Strange feeling! Every fiber in my body was standing on end. So, I missed the drama and the news, but I’m none the worse for it.
I spend way too much time on the internet building my lenses and getting the ratings up, on Squidoo. But, I believe all the long hours and work will pay-off for me someday. That is what I want and need, an extra $100 a month would be nice, more would be better. I love Squidoo, it’s fun being a part of the social marketing community and I’m learning a lot.
You have a very nice blog hear and I’m sure you have put a lot of time and energy into it. I will be looking forward to following your blog on Twitter, which I have become pretty active on also.
Best Wishes!
I can’t say much about the internet… I haven’t had cable in 4 years and I find something very peaceful about coming home every night to a quiet apartment–I put on some music, read a book, and enjoy the simpler side of life!
@Eric – You’re absolutely right. Unfortunately I don’t get cable…so maybe that’s my problem. :/ But, regardless the second lane is where’s it’s at, even if lane one is alive and well. I think my biggest issue is how TV is strictly a one way communicator. TV doesn’t leave any room for interactivity.
@Tipigal – I agree, it seems as though with TV there is somewhat of a disconnect from time to time.
That’s great! I love Squidoo. I’ve made a few lenses myself – nothing great…but I enjoy looking at others’ lenses. Squidoo is a great place for that second lane I mentioned – plenty of opportunity for giving value back.
Thanks for the compliments and I look forward to your thoughts on future posts!
@Lainey – That’s great! I envy your serenity! I’m all about simplicity
Also TV is mainly about the senses as McLuhan said in the 60s. But the internet and it’s video stream and its many interactive elements defy both time, distance and space. It lives in the domain of physics rather than biology which is why TV turns the brain into mush as you said. The internet allows us to be in multiple places at once and that’s a beautiful thing. We can transport a part of ourselves to other places. We’re no longer constraint by physical space.
@Max – Wow, well said! I completely agree.
The being “in multiple places at once” isn’t something I’d thought about before. Good thoughts! Thanks :)
i had this discussion b4. Which one is better, tv or the internet. Depends from what angle you are looking at things. If you are like me you would think that TV is just a box , that tells you how to dance : you like the song or not, thats the rhythm u betta start dancing. Now on the other side, internet could be exactly the same thing . But , if you know your way around it and you start to control it, and not vice-versa…. your one click away from anything.
OK, I’m totally with you on the negatives of the TV. Although I recently heard that in societies where opportunities for education were extremely limited, where there was nothing else, TV actually raised people’s IQ’s. Here in the west, of course, we know what TV does.
The internet? There’s no comparison. The internet sets people free in so many ways. I tend to think of it not so much as the fact that you can put stuff back into the internet, though that’s true, but that there is basically infinite “channels” (domains) meaning that anyone can take part in the discourse. We used to say 57 channels on TV is a lot, but it’s nothing compared to the diversity and free speech of the internet.
@Funky Space Monkey – First off, great name! :)
Absolutely! Couldn’t have said it better myself. It’s all about initiative!
@Sonjacassella – Hadn’t even thought of that! You’re absolutely right though. My conclusion on TV is very much a west perspective. Thanks for pointing that out. Infinite channels are definitely a plus. And having infinite channels means we have choice as to what we interact with. We aren’t forced to dance any particular way as Funky Space Monkey mentioned.
I think the one major thing I find un-desirable about computers is that it is the first invention that has ever demanded an entire society to use it. No other invention has ever been so invasive.
When we talk about the Internet we are talking a computerized world where people are left with no choice but to use it. From finding jobs to managing bank accounts and in some cases keeping up with their children by GPS. 2009 marks the year when television goes digital and literally becomes a computer. Looking beyond the social and entertainment aspect for a moment, in reality, television no longer exists.