You know you're brainwashed when you lose the ability to use upper case letters and all your apostrophes disappear.

Great Idea. I did this about 3.5 years ago.

The Upside - I am happier, feel like I have more free time, and my brain works better.

The Downside - Definitely feel left out when others are speaking about the game or some funny tv show. Don't minimize this, it is definitely a social handicap.

There's a fine line between brainwashing and education. I think it depends on what kinds of programs you watch. However, I agree that people should watch less TV. It wastes too much time.

I agree, TV is killing society & will someday be listed as the primary cause of the decline of western civilization. This pushes me to question the freedom to watch this destroyer... but anything that could control TV would be even worse than TV itself. Of course, judicial use of TV would prevent the problem... but now we have proof of the limitations of common judgment. Save yourself, save your family... and/or enjoy the ride. Maybe we could prevent avid TV watches from voting. That would be a good start.

I am now reading the book "Four Arguments For The Elimination Of Television" by Jerry Mander. Although this book was written in the 1970s, it provides a very thorough discussion of the effects of television on the individual and society. I would recommend this book for all those who are interested in this subject.

The computer does not?

This is a great article on the effect of TV on the brain. http://www.cognitiveliberty.org/5jcl/5JCL59.htm

And yes, the computer is a little bit better because for most things you have to read which means your brain is working just a little harder.

I did an essay on the relation of tv to violence in grade 6. the evidence was very easy to find and clear cut.

wizard1961, no one said anything about controlling tv (this is the case already). JUST DONT WATCH IT

Dwane, a fine line indeed, but only in so-called educational programming. the rest - say, news, for instance, is not.

gattmott, a social handicap for you or them?

sand, you are confusing ability and choice. I chose my own style of writing, i dont believe anyone will be confused by what i mean when i write i instead of I, or dont instead of don't and I think it is usually sufficient to determine the end of a sentence by the use of a period and the beginning of a sentence will not become invisible without a capital.