TV-free?

What changes can we make to our lives to deal with the economic and energy crises ahead? Have you already started making preparations? Got tips to share?

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Have you got rid of your TV?

Yes
13
35%
No
19
51%
Might do soon
5
14%
 
Total votes: 37
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Jane
Posts: 100
Joined: 24 Nov 2005, 11:09

Post by Jane »

Once they have all series of the Simpsons on DVD I'll think about getting rid of the TV :lol: A lot of things on TV are complete chod but the politics and news shows are informative a lot of the time, balanced with inet research.

Through uni (and after!) I 'evaded' paying a tv licence so much that even if they had charged me their 1000pound fine I would have still made a net saving! They do waste paper with all their letters though. Btw- they can't trace this on here can they?! :wink: :shock:
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oobers
Posts: 285
Joined: 05 Dec 2005, 14:51
Location: Hebden Bridge

Post by oobers »

I have been clean now for 3 months. I sold my TV and DVD recorder to a friend, so no landfill required. It was an experiment in frugal living, I suppose. And... I HAVE missed it. I had not realised what an addict I was. I listen to a lot more radio, particularly BBC7. I can get totally wrapped up in plays, old books and comedy on the radio and yes, I read more books. But I also spend many more hours looking at equally banal stuff on the internet and I constantly hear about things that might have been really interesting to watch (hear about them on the radio!!). I read Thom Hartmanns "Ancient Sunlight" and got really annoyed with his pages and pages of condescending opposition to TV. So, besides the energy and TV licence savings, am I really better off without my telly? A friend of mine has told me telly is EVIL but I reckon it is just crap and I like to watch crap occasionally :?
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JohnB
Posts: 6456
Joined: 22 May 2006, 17:42
Location: Beautiful sunny West Wales!

Post by JohnB »

oobers wrote:So, besides the energy and TV licence savings, am I really better off without my telly?
Of course you are. I've been free of it for over 21 months now, and hardly ever miss it. I don't know what I'll do if the system collapses and we can't get digital radio though. I'll miss my daily fix of BBC7 :) .
John

Eco-Hamlets UK - Small sustainable neighbourhoods
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Sam172
Posts: 138
Joined: 24 Nov 2005, 11:09
Location: Plymouth, UK

Post by Sam172 »

I've been TV free for over a month now :D. I sure as hell wasn't going to pay for a TV license, and a TV takes up too much room in this small hovel.

Not that I watched it too much before, but I'm quite suprised that I'm not missing it more. I'm certainly reading more books now...
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Vortex
Posts: 6095
Joined: 16 May 2006, 19:14

Post by Vortex »

I got rid of our TV during the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in the early 80s.

I simply got sick of arriving home, turning on the 6PM news only to see tanks firing into tower blocks. (Don't get me wrong - I support Israel to a degree ... but their behaviour at that time was NOT good)

So we had a delightful TV free few years ... until the growing kids forced us to get it back.

Somehow you seem to get 5 hours a day extra without a TV!

May get rid of it again sometime ... if I can break the addiction!
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Keela
Posts: 1941
Joined: 05 Sep 2006, 15:26
Location: N.Ireland
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Post by Keela »

I rarely watch TV but my family do.....

... the TV did "break down" one year for several months and eventually we put the fuse back in the plug!

Unfortunately older & wiser children now know the tricks!
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Pippa
Site Admin
Posts: 687
Joined: 27 Apr 2006, 11:07
Location: Cambridgeshire

Post by Pippa »

Pippa wrote:Oh dear! I'm bad! There is no way I'll be getting rid of TV unless ITS LAW! :wink:
Well, how things change!

I obviously didn't know my own mind, or has all the info from PS forum addled my brain (well, undoubtedly!)

I have got rid of the telly.......well taken the fuse out of one down stairs. Now all the kids want to go to grandmas! :lol:
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clv101
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Post by clv101 »

Pippa wrote:I have got rid of the telly.......well taken the fuse out of one down stairs. Now all the kids want to go to grandmas! :lol:
Wow, impressive. How old are your children?
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Pippa
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Posts: 687
Joined: 27 Apr 2006, 11:07
Location: Cambridgeshire

Post by Pippa »

They are 10,11 and 14. Actually, I'm not completely denying them of TV as I can (and do) put the fuse back in. :oops: (so inferring that TV was out was misleading - catching on eventually to how the world works aren't I?) If they are good they can watch requested programme (daughter likes Eastenders - friends all talk about it at school aparantly), eldest son likes videos mostly (he lives in his own little pretend world but likes videos of Shrek and Matilda - I think he relates to them) and youngest son doesn't seem too bothered.

I like X Factor :lol:

The kids have quickly adjusted to less TV and are spending much more time with friends (although maybe its to watch TV :) )

We now have much more time, homework more of a "pleasure" and we play cards quite a bit.

Also no chance of TV being on standby or worse, left on playing to no-one.
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PowerswitchClive
Posts: 158
Joined: 24 Nov 2005, 11:09

Post by PowerswitchClive »

I haven't had a TV since 1999... I like watching DVDs, and I do this using a projector or the pc :lol:
"All truth passes through three stages: First, it is ridiculed; Second it is violently opposed; and Third, it is accepted as self-evident."
Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860)
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