Mediocrity
Thu, January 31, 2013 I sometimes feel our society is drowning in an ocean of mediocrity. Crappy TV, crappy music on the radio, and crappy movies shown at my local theater. Not to mention junk food being fed to us.
The sad thing is there is good music and good movies being made but you won’t hear it on your radio or see it at the theater. Why? Because music you have to really listen to fully appreciate, or movies that make you think, do not appeal to the masses.
Just as junk food gives a body instant gratification, so too does junk TV, music and Movies. And crappy TV and other entertainment is destroying people’s minds, just as surely as junk food destroys bodies.
The sugar or salt on junk food only gives a person fleeting pleasure while they are actually eating it. The moment they stop eating they are craving more.
So too with entertainment; people are constantly listening to music through ear buds because they are not actually listening, it is just background noise.
It is not difficult to eat healthy, it is not even expensive; it does however, require a conscious effort to research, choose and prepare the right food. It is not difficult to find decent entertainment either; it just takes a conscious effort to seek it out.
Some people might even find benefit if they removed the ear buds while running or riding their bikes and simply listen to the sounds of nature, or even just enjoy the silence. Plus they would have increased awareness of their surroundings, thus increasing their safety.
About six months ago I dropped cable TV. I got tired of paying a premium for 150 channels and finding nothing worth watching.
I switched to Hulu and Netflix, and between the two I can pick and choose what shows I want to watch. More important I can watch them when I want to; I am not tied to the TV channel’s schedule. For example, I can watch the late night programs early the following evening.
It is one of the best things I ever did, it is costing me a fraction of what I previously paid for cable. And I have found there are some great movies being made that never make it to the movie theatre.
It is important to me what I feed my body and my mind.
Comment, Food,nutrition, Opinion
Reader Comments (14)
Pick any slice of time you like. The majority of TV, music, movies, books, bicycles, and, yes, food, has always been mediocre. Moderate to inferior quality. The internet (ironically, comprised of mostly mediocre content) gives us more ability than we've ever had to find and access the good stuff. These are wonderful times we live in.
Good points - my wife always has the tv on in the background and it drives me crazy - either concentrate and watch it or turn it off! Good music can improve your mood, brighten the moment - the only thing I would say is that I listen to the radio on my train commute - usually news but sometimes music and it can make the journey more pleasant. And good food is essential - simple, home cooked, tasty food - to compliment a busy life, makes me feel better. Thanks.
There has always been crap, and so there always will be. Sorting through it makes the good stuff that much better (and one that much smugger and more superior.) Without the crap for normal people (the unwashed masses?) how would we know we're awesome? I think media had finally reached a point where it gives us access to everything; find the good stuff, make good food, build cool stuff; the resources for all of these exist and are easier than ever to access.
PBS Stations thats the answer. stay away from sit coms and cable Tvs sex and violance. I even STILL have a record player and a stack of opera records. Only eat lean meat, fruit and veggies,wheat bread MILK! I asked my grand kids at breakfast "do you want MILK on you cherrios?" Whats that pappa?
Have you forgotten Sturgeon's law Dave? 90 percent of everything is crap. Always has been, probably always will be. Cycling or skate skiing with ear buds is a peeve of mine. I consider it unsafe and stultifying.
Bang on Dave!
Excellent blog post, as always.
I don't watch TV at all. I don't feel a void in my life. I'm too busy doing other things.
Holds true even here in the Philippines.
Excellent post Dave. I have been particularly depressed seeing what has happened to television especially on cable channels. While there is still some good programming cable channels like A&E have resorted to Dog the Bounty Hunter and Billy the Exterminator and TLC has become utterly unspeakable. I've been thinking of giving the cable company the axe myself.
Right on Dave! We cut the cable almost a year ago for the reason and haven't missed it.
Spot on post Dave. I got rid of the TV also and barely miss it. A quote I remember from years ago "only the mediocre are ever at their best"
The ultimate expression of mediocrity is . . . . Wallmart. Everything else, even Fox News, pales in comparison.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68N0c6WaabE
Ride On Dave!
I use and recommend a device calla ROKU. It's a small box that hooks to the TV and pulls content off the Internet (you'll want a wireless connection). You get to pick your stuff - only the good stuff. Both your Netflix and Hulu are availalbe, along with many, many other channels. Some are just made by people to show their version of the god stuff. In fact you could broadcast your own channel of grumpy bike builders and those who like them...