Turn off your television sets
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Topics not related to music
Forum Name: General discussions
Forum Description: Discuss any topic at all that is not music-related
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=28778
Printed Date: November 25 2024 at 01:40
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Turn off your television sets
Posted By: Bob Greece
Subject: Turn off your television sets
Date Posted: September 19 2006 at 04:57
|
This is an amazing performance taken from the film Network:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=avyr1UkX-_8 - http://youtube.com/watch?v=avyr1UkX-_8
I just wanted to share that with you. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/BobGreece/?chartstyle=basicrt10"> 
|
Replies:
Posted By: R o V e R
Date Posted: September 19 2006 at 05:10
|
wow , what a blabber mouth
yukk but yet funny |
Posted By: peroxidess
Date Posted: September 19 2006 at 07:25
|
very interesting made me feel very glad I no longer watch tv ... Just an hour of law and order if I have the time... ------------- The universe is in constant pursuit of a celestial home. |
Posted By: Bob Greece
Date Posted: September 19 2006 at 07:33
|
It looks like that film was made in the seventies. Maybe it's message about TV being the only source of information for people is not so relevant now with the Internet? ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/BobGreece/?chartstyle=basicrt10">
|
Posted By: Philéas
Date Posted: September 19 2006 at 12:40
| A good way to save lots of energy is to turn your television off completely when not using it, instead of leaving it on stand by. |
Posted By: Peter
Date Posted: September 19 2006 at 23:43
Well, I'd say yes and no, Bob, but mostly no. (I think it's still very relevant -- perhaps now more than then.)
Both TV (& movies) and the Net have enormous, far-reaching potential as educational mediums, but each can be manipulated for propaganda, and with today's technology, the unreal can be made to appear very real. Worse though, I think, is what most people choose to use the Net & TV for: mindless entertainment. For every serious, fruitful discussion here (and I think this forum would actually have a higher than average intelligence level) I bet we have 50 basically pointless posts. Who turns on their computer, or TV, for the news? A small minority.
Stupidity, and mindless hard bodies and silicon breasted bimbos competing for plastic crap is what sells. Explosions. Murders. Car crashes. Torture scenes.
If anything, I think that people (at least in the West) are even more ignorant re their world and its history than when that movie was made.
Yes, the net has tremendous educational/informational potential.
But how many people use it that way, really? Most people seem to want to see pizza delivery guys getting run over. Ha. Ha. Ha.
Bread and circuses. Ignorance is bliss -- for those who prefer us to be ignorant, that is.
TV is the new opiate of the masses. The web seems to be mostly TV part two, with extra porn.
I have certainly seen young people's writing/communication ability decline since computers took over.
They still don't know who Hitler, Stalin, or Napoleon were.
The leader of the most powerful nation in the world believes that men and dinosaurs walked the earth together. We get the leaders we deserve.
Turn off the damned TV -- and the computer. Pick up a book. Travel. Walk in the woods, while they're there. Switch on your brain & THINK!
 Good post Bob -- thanks! But notice how unpopular it is, and how few people seem to get the point of the clip, or can be bothered addressing the HUGE issues it raises.Got any "who's best" or "which band sux" polls? They do very well. 
Sorry for writing so much....
 LOL cya alot
u r pwnd
ttyl
 ------------- "And, has thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!' He chortled in his joy. |
Bob Greece wrote:Posted By: KoS
Date Posted: September 19 2006 at 23:53
 Great performance.Reminded me of Bill Hicks: "Go back to bed, America. Your government has figured out how it all transpired. Go back to bed, America. Your government is in control again. Here. Here's American Gladiators. Watch this, shut up. Go back to bed, America. Here is American Gladiators. Here is 56 channels of it! Watch these pituitary retards bang their f**king skulls together and congratulate you on living in the land of freedom. Here you go, America! You are free to do what we tell you! You are free to do what we tell you!" |
Posted By: stonebeard
Date Posted: September 19 2006 at 23:59
|
Peter, I know it may seem to be a poor truth from your perspective, but the way I see it, certain people (perhaps a good majority) not caring about history, politics, news and all of these other aspects of scholarly studies isn't really a very bad thing. My outlook on life is currently "we're here for a short time, so let's make it worth our while." No matter how noble it sounds to try and make the world a better place for the future, I think that the human race ultimately has to be selfish. I think it has a lot to do with individual personality, and probably in no small part to the fact that I'm young, single, and not a parent with any dependants, but I believe people should live how they choose, and if getting washed up in a television program gives them that pleasure, then why the hell not go for it. Reading can and probably will lead to a higher level of intelligence and possibly success, but it will also lead just as much to noncomplacency, scepticism, and cynicism. In the end, will you really be a happier person? ------------- http://soundcloud.com/drewagler" rel="nofollow - My soundcloud. Please give feedback if you want! |
Posted By: bhikkhu
Date Posted: September 20 2006 at 00:13
That's a classic film Bob. Lot's of Oscar nominations. Peter Finch and Faye Dunaway won. That was also one of the first films they showed on network TV unedited (ironic, huh?). ------------- a.k.a. H.T. http://riekels.wordpress.com" rel="nofollow - http://riekels.wordpress.com |
Posted By: Peter
Date Posted: September 20 2006 at 00:16
I was young too, and I understand, but is lots of "happy" (debatable) zoned-out TV/shooter game zombies getting desensitized to violence what planet earth needs, or perhaps what the US army needs?
Anyway, not just books, I also said travel, walk in the woods
and, might I add: talk (about something real -- learn to have opinions)
You do, though.
Happy, stoned, oblivious little non-voting consumers -- not too good for this guy:
 "Got ice?"But good for this guy & his pals in the oil & weapons biz:
 "WMD! Ha!"------------- "And, has thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!' He chortled in his joy. |
Posted By: KoS
Date Posted: September 20 2006 at 00:21
 |
Posted By: stonebeard
Date Posted: September 20 2006 at 00:30
------------- http://soundcloud.com/drewagler" rel="nofollow - My soundcloud. Please give feedback if you want! |
Posted By: KoS
Date Posted: September 20 2006 at 00:40
|
"History repeates itself and it is currently happening again." We let it happen again, because we don't want to change. We could have helped in Darfur but we wre too busy fighting "terrorism" in Iraq. We live cozy complacent lives away from the problems of the world, but if we change that would mean uncertainty and God forbid work. This is exactly what 10,000 days was about. |
Posted By: tuxon
Date Posted: September 20 2006 at 00:41
|
It's not television that's the problem, it's the makers of the programs that are the problem.
Television is an inocent medium used by the rich to enslave and dumb-down the masses.
so nothing new really, earlier in the last century we had radio that made the same sh*t, and before that we had books that lied to us with the same intend.
and now we have the internet, creating the illusion of controlling what we see and what we hear, but still those things are controlled by the people with the loudest voices and the evilest of thoughts.
Over the years I have become a cynic, for I saw too many lies, and no-one who really cares speak out, because we are all cynics, we just lean back and enjoy the show, for we all get what we deserve and I don't care anymore.
basically the people is dumb and ignoranbt, and the people want to stay that way, for knowing and understanding brings responsibilities with them. ------------- I'm always almost unlucky _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Id5ZcnjXSZaSMFMC Id5LM2q2jfqz3YxT |
Posted By: Peter
Date Posted: September 20 2006 at 00:45
Hmmm... I wonder how many of those you are targetting with that pic will be aware of its significance, King?
 Quite agree, though -- learn from the past, or repeat it over and over.
Speak up (even by voting) or let those with a hidden agenda slime their way into power.
Armageddon-craving Bible-thumpers vote -- young people looking for immediate gratification don't....
V V
  Anyway Stoney, despite the above, I actually DO still have love, and laughter and hope: I couldn't carry on as a committed dad and educator, if I didn't.
But I don't choose to put "scales" over my own eyes, either.
Age does have a lot to do with how we look at the world, of course, but still, I knew lots about my world as a teen, & I had concerns for the future, and opinions about issues beyond my immediate circle, too (I also partied a lot, to be sure).
Take care, get that education, and become a thinking, caring man.
Cast an informed vote, next election -- don't let the war-mongering, oil-grabbing rich and their ultra-religious sheep/pawns continue to decide your future (and my kids').
See my sig -- 'tis Bowie, BTW.
------------- "And, has thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!' He chortled in his joy. |
Posted By: stonebeard
Date Posted: September 20 2006 at 00:49
What would you do? Would you take up arms for a cause that doesn't directly effect you? I'd love it if we were helping out the Africans in Darfur rather than being involved in Iraq, and I'm pissed as hell that we were manipulated into supporting such a war. But not watching TV (trying to bring it back to topic a bit) would not have prevented the war. If the higher ups want a war, then we will have a war. The people in charge are really in charge . We are just pawns in a game of chess (another thing most young people don't have a clue about). I'm trying to limit this as much as possible. This is the same reason why I will never fight in a war unless something motivates me very deeply and personally. ------------- http://soundcloud.com/drewagler" rel="nofollow - My soundcloud. Please give feedback if you want! |
Posted By: Cygnus X-2
Date Posted: September 20 2006 at 00:59
I agree with you there, Andrew, and I think we are lucky that we don't have to live with the draft in the back of our minds everytime the word war floats around congress and the politicians (unlike our fathers and their grandfathers, who weren't given such benefits). This world truly is fugazi... I hate to reference something like in a place like this, but it is true... ------------- 
|
Posted By: Peter
Date Posted: September 20 2006 at 01:01
We are all connected on this "spaceship" earth, though it may not seem obvious. And there are always ways to fight for good that don't involve joining an army.
Not one lone person, no -- but millions? Reading newspapers? Info on the net? Going out to vote? Defeating Bush in the first place? A million is composed of ones....
Such as a draft notice, perhaps? Couldn't happen? Guess again!
(Colour-coded commentary for your reading convenience!) ------------- "And, has thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!' He chortled in his joy. |
Posted By: valravennz
Date Posted: September 20 2006 at 01:39
^  Love the color coded comments - would not be a posting from you Peter without it!
Seriously - Yes we are all connected as human beings on this planet and the "power of one" can be significant in defeating terrorism and war. The major obstacle is how do those of us who care get the message to largely silent and complacent human population? The "Fourth Estate" is a powerful institution and is responsible for what we view on TV and how it affects our opinions on international conflict. Perhaps a revolution in the media [unbiased reporting] is what is ultimately needed before we can even begin to think of change towards better for the human race. ------------- 
"Music is the Wine that fills the cup of Silence" - Robert Fripp |
Posted By: peroxidess
Date Posted: September 20 2006 at 02:09
|
I sometimes watch the news and I read a newspaper every Sunday(almost
every Sunday) and I have noticed a certain fall in the quality of the
news, the analysis and so on. But I believe television is one of the worst sources of information. Apart from what it reveals at times..like discoveries, frauds, astronomic phenomena etc. It's just a medium yes but it was conceived as a profit maker whereas the internet was conceived as a way to share info(for military purposes at first). And the companies didn't pay close attention to it or the IT industry for a long time. So it is pretty much full of information and ideas. Now choosing to back up a war considering what history has taught us would naturally take a whole lot more than an attack, or some television shows. And there is one thing I just don't understand... You can choose to send troops to the other side of the planet but saving people on the other side of the planet is a different thing???? ------------- The universe is in constant pursuit of a celestial home. |
Posted By: Bob Greece
Date Posted: September 20 2006 at 10:24
|
Sometimes when I watch TV I despair. I see some gory part of a film and I think "am I supposed to be entertained by this?". I just get nothing out of it. Books on the other hand normally give me something to think about. I think back to old books I've read and I can normally think of something from the book that enhances my general knowledge about life. I do enjoy thinking about things and the great thing about books is that the pictures are all inside your head. I do like watching TV but most of it is pretty vacuous. Like it says in that clip from Network, "it's just a circus".
I think the Internet can benefit us as it lets us talk to people in different countries and hear other peoples' views on things. The trouble is that most of the people on the Internet are from North America and Europe but there are still people from other countries. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/BobGreece/?chartstyle=basicrt10">
|
Posted By: Dreamer
Date Posted: September 20 2006 at 16:36
|
The idea of millions watching the same thing, at the same time can be quite frightening. But it's all a part of a much bigger problem. The fact that people WANT to see the rubbish on television, and are even amused by it already says something. It is linked to the materialistic consumption that is going on heavily nowadays. Commercials are everywhere, and actual programs are not much more thought provoking then the adverts that seperate them!! (have I just been taking my Huxley books too seriously?)
Interesting thread.
|
Posted By: Melomaniac
Date Posted: September 20 2006 at 16:39
Brave New World tought us that Utopian societies are very frightening indeed...
and to quote a line from Voivod : One day, will they understand how much the future is here, right now? ------------- "One likes to believe in the freedom of Music" - Neil Peart, The Spirit of Radio |
Posted By: Dreamer
Date Posted: September 20 2006 at 16:44
"Honey what time is gladiators on? Are we missing it? Ooooh I'm so glad we're free honey"
|
Posted By: BaldJean
Date Posted: September 20 2006 at 17:21
for those who don't recognize it: this is a picture from one of the gates to Auschwitz; the slogan "Arbeit macht frei" could be translated as "Work liberates" and was of course highly cynical -------------  A shot of me as High Priestess of Gaia during our fall festival. Ceterum censeo principiis obsta |
Posted By: Jim Garten
Date Posted: October 02 2006 at 03:51
|
I remember a far more innocent age, when Waters singing about having "Fifteen channels of sh*t on my TV to chose from" seemed outlandish to a 17 year old with BBC1, BBC2 & ITV as a choice.
Now, with the wonders of cable, I have something in the order of 100 channels (and bear in mind I did not go for the full cable 'package'); when you cut out the repeat showings of poor UK & US sit coms, the shopping channels, the endless drivel shoveled out by MTV and its ilk, the sensationalist so-called "documentaries" which are more accurately dissections of major disasters churned out to tittilate the wobbling masses ("seconds from disaster", "aircrash investigation"), all punctuated by the endless mass marketing courtesy of our advertising industry (usually every 5 minutes or so), I generally go back to the so-called "terrestrial" channels anyway... ...or go away and read 
...although I'm still a sucker for 'Casualty' and 'Holby City' (isn't Connie Beauchamp a hottie!!)  ------------- 
Jon Lord 1941 - 2012 |
Posted By: NutterAlert
Date Posted: October 02 2006 at 09:06
|
I only have one channel on my TV, and it's the spicy-food cooking channel from Holland called 'Red Hot Dutch'.
------------- Proud to be an un-banned member since 2005 |
Posted By: Bob Greece
Date Posted: October 02 2006 at 09:30
Jim Garten resurrected my thread.  ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/BobGreece/?chartstyle=basicrt10">
|
Posted By: Jared
Date Posted: October 02 2006 at 12:47
It strikes me he needs to listen to a bit of 'Pallas' to soothe his nerves...
tbh, I only get 4 channels, and if it wasn't for BBC2, I think I'd throw the thing out... (well I would now that LOST has finished again... )------------- Music has always been a matter of energy to me. On some nights I believe that a car with the needle on empty can run 50 more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. Hunter S Thompson |
Posted By: Jim Garten
Date Posted: October 03 2006 at 03:17
'Spooks' is well worth a watch, too; utter bunkum (I hope...  ), but hugely entertaining.-------------
Jon Lord 1941 - 2012 |
Posted By: Jared
Date Posted: October 03 2006 at 03:21
never bothered with it... I've always been a big fan of Emilia Fox, er I mean Silent Witness tho'..  ------------- Music has always been a matter of energy to me. On some nights I believe that a car with the needle on empty can run 50 more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. Hunter S Thompson |
Posted By: Jim Garten
Date Posted: October 04 2006 at 03:48
Ooooh - Connie Beauchamp was on Holby again last night
...sorry
-------------
Jon Lord 1941 - 2012 |