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Does the television influence negativity and mediocrity? What? You want me to read?

By Ronald Curtis Jr

So it seems most people don't like to read? Hmmm, ever wondered why? Most people would rather watch television that read a good book. Is it because reading actually requires effort?

The television is such an amazing invention, or is it really? Seems the TV promotes laziness, obesity, immorality, violence, drinking, smoking and mediocrity, just to list a few. Why would the average American spend 5-7 hours PER DAY watching television? Have we nothing better to do?

There is nothing wrong with watching an occasional movie, or perhaps a television program, depending upon the message behind the movie. However, to spend the same amount of time watching TV that you do sleeping, or working a full time job? Are you serious?

You ever noticed how the most successful people have large offices, with mega shelves that are stocked with books? Have you ever noticed that lower income to middle class people have shelves stocked with DVDs, or video games? Could reading actually have something to do with living an abundantly blessed life and perhaps watching television creates the opposite?

Have you ever noticed how people who watch television and don't read generally use profanity all the time, drink beer, and complain about their life constantly. There is drama after drama after drama happening in their life experience? Ever notice how these same people complain about being broke all the time, yet they always have the big screen TVs, newest DVDs, and the latest Video Game systems?

In my business we see it all. From prosperous people who are actively engaged in personal growth, consciously aware of the programming they are getting everyday. To those folks who are super negative, complain about being broke, smoke cigarettes, drink beer, and use profanity every other word. These same people who when asked if they like to read look at you like you're some kind of idiot!

Perhaps some people will be offended by this article, that is not my intention, however, I would like to challenge you to stop and think for just a moment.

Look at your life, and the lives of the people you know, both family and friends. Who do you know that is on Gov't assistance, how do they live? Who do you know that is a Millionaire, how do they live? Who do you know that watches TV all the time, plays video games, etc. how do they live?

Take some time and become more aware of the lifestyle you and those around you are living. Then see if you can find a common denominator within their lives. TV or READ? (Not talking about reading the newspaper!)

Almost every time the more average, mediocre, and negative people are, they watch a lot of TV! Whereas those folks who are more successful, positive, ambitious and outgoing, limit their TV and spend more time reading from good books!

Leaders are Readers. Pick up a good book, start with the Bible, and get lost in a world of pure enjoyment. Stretch your thinking, grow your mind, and watch as your circumstances begin to change. In life you are constantly growing, you are either moving forward or backward, there is no remaining the same. Which way are you going?

Be blessed!
Ron

P.S. Perhaps reading is more difficult for a reason? "We will do today what others will not so tomorrow we can do what others cannot."

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One of the horrific effects of modern life is the sheer ignorance of our children when they leave school.

The reading competence of the average 18 year old would not have achieved an acceptable pass mark in the oral tests that I and my contemporaries had to pass every three months during our primary school careers.

People do not read today because most of them don't know how. They think all the little dots and other marks around the actual words are printing errors - they do not know how to use the punctuation to enunciate the text the way the author intended.

Worse, though, than the inability to read is the simple lack of desire to read. We have created three passive generations. We have created the ultimate in 'gimme's - we have created brain dead generations that have no idea of how to entertain or motivate themselves.

Thanks for commenting, I always appreciate your perspective, and I agree. Our older kids were in public schools until last year. Since we have started to home school, we are amazed at what was "acceptable" while they were in the system.

It is a real shame the education system we have in the United States these days, amongst other things. This article was inspired by our networking business, as we meet 100's of people every month. From our observation, the TV has almost become idols for many people. It is much easier to sit and do nothing watching a television program, than it is to pick up a book.

It used to be a privilege to "have the ability" to learn to read and write, today it is taken for granted. Very sad!

Back in 1968, I was taking a Dale Carnegie course and in my 2 minute speech, I challenged the other members to go home and unplug their TV for a week and to see the difference in their family life. The next week, I asked who had tried the experiment. Nobody had the courage. Imagine what the effect of these electronic games,adult content on our computers and video poker will have of our generation.
Technology is allowing us to become more stupid!
Thank you for sharing, Ron.
Best wishes.
Frederick

Hi Frederick, I have also challenged people to unplug the TV. The amount of folks that actually did is less than 2%. We have met people whose big screen tv is worth more than their house. It is scary to think where all this technology is headed. Einstein said, "We were all born geniuses and programmed to be idiots." TV has no doubt sped up the process!

For the most part I agree with what you've said. I find books more interesting. Simply put, they are longer and all the parts are there. Take a book and make it into a movie and you miss most of the detail and interest. The sad part is that most people watch reality TV, the worst of all programming. Yeah, let's watch the most dysfunctional people you can imagine every single night.

I also think life should not be a passive process, and that's what TV promotes. Watching others do things, being entertained by others etc. We need to actively DO, we need to entertain ourselves, and so forth. Don't even get me started on professional sports. Same stuff. We watch others to run around, kick a ball, throw a ball, drive a car. How about we do it ourselves? Join life. Quit being a spectator.

Thanks for your comment! I find some humor in the recent Disney film, Wall-E. Television and Obesity, not to mention a future of people who cannot even think for themselves.

It just boggles my mind when I think about all the Lack programming on the television and how the "masses" are so blind to it.

It is an observation that those people I have met who spend more time reading books than watching television are more aware of what is happening.

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