Do you remember the days when rabbit ears ruled the airwaves? Families spent endless hours in tantalizing tango between man and machine. When one ear lifted, the other fell. When one finger tentatively released, a clear picture turned hopelessly fuzzy. Rolls of aluminum foil were used up faster than glazed donuts at a police booster. One might even think a typical home to be a museum of modern art with the ways in which rabbit ears balanced precariously on the edges of window ledges, wires wrapped playfully around furniture, and aluminum foil flashed flamboyantly in the afternoon sun. Bodies froze breathlessly as an unintentional movement restored the buzzing static to the gentle baritone of Peter Jennings on World News Tonight.
A story in the New York Times discussed an emerging trend leading away from cable and satellite television providers. With the rising costs of these cable subscriptions, some households have opted out of the expensive hedonism of mass media in favor of the simple world of free network HD programming. Many households have supplemented their network programming with Netflix, iTunes, or internet television. Although not without the minor headaches of a weak signal during a storm or heavy foot traffic, the change has gone over remarkably well, and has left few people with a desire to go back to the hefty bills of cable.
As the paralyzing hold that cable companies have over the American public begins to crumble, a renewed emphasis on fiscal responsibility and conservative living is emerging. In many ways, this counterculture has implications that reach far beyond saving a few extra dollars on the television bill. When the channel menu has been whittled down from hundred to a handful, people are left with far fewer programs with which to dominate their schedules. A favorite show may actually become just that: the television show that is most watched on the television, not the favorite show on ESPN…and then on AMC…and then on HBO…and then on TLC…and then on XYZ (well, you get the picture). Time may be spent away with from the television, perhaps spent cultivating relationships with others, investing in more productive hobbies, or even resting from the hurriedness of life.
Few realize the anxiety that can result from being in bondage to their media providers. Large cable bills stretch the budget, which then prompts people to pick up more hours to cover the additional expenses. Excessive work creates unnecessary stress, and if maintained, can have harmful effects on overall health. In an effort to get one’s “money’s worth” out of the cable package, excessive amounts of time are spent watching television, rather than engaging in activities that provide legitimate rest and restoration of the body and mind. Preoccupation with cable programming also takes people away from what really matters: their relationship with Jesus Christ. The more time that is spent filling our minds with media matters, the less time that can being transformed by the renewing of our minds in the Lord (Rom. 12:2). The cable epidemic is symptomatic of a greater problem: treasuring the things of this world over the eternal matters of God. Christ teaches us that where our treasure is, there our heart will be also (Matt. 6:21). If what we truly value are the material things that solidify our “status” in the world, then our heart does not truly belong to God. If, however, we direct our focus to Jesus Christ and teachings of His Word, then our heart will belong to Him. Perhaps God can use this slight movement away from excessive materialism to bring people’s hearts closer to the peace that can be found in His presence.
Sean, I really enjoyed your post. I liked the way you transitioned from what the article is talking about and tying it to how we can be slaves to the media. It is very true though. I am amazed by how many shows are out there and the amount of people that watch them. There just so many of them. I actually stopped watching the television unless it a football game or any other sports game I am interested in. We need to get a hold of our lives and it starts with the common things that we think does no harm to us.
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