Does TV Kill?
The New York Times ran an article about how small lifestyle choices can result in big health consequences. Key line: "Every single hour of television watched after the age of 25 reduces the viewer’s life expectancy by 21.8 minutes."
I read that sentence this morning; and I sold my TV on Craigslist tonight. Because if that statistic is even 10% true, television isn't worth it to me.
Did I make the right decision? Or do you think I was suckered by a statistical mirage of correlation vs. causation? It's NFL playoffs time, and I really need some emotional support on this right now if I'm going to make it through the weekend.
Secondly, if you grant that the statistic is at least partly true, yet you still maintain that I made the wrong decision, then how many minutes of life would you give up for an hour of TV?
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Comments:
Jul '10
Re: Does TV Kill?
You can give every thing up and have a long, boring life, or you can live it up and have a short, enjoyable one. I'll have the Packers game on Saturday if you change your mind.
Jul '10
Re: Does TV Kill?
I wouldn't give up a single second for television, but Ricochet on the interwebs on the other hand....
May '10
Re: Does TV Kill?
It's a little known fact, but there is actually a 100% correlation between NOT watching TV and dying. Not to worry however; there is also a 100% correlation between watching TV and dying.
So, in the long run, you're dead. Do whatever makes you happy.
Dec '11
Re: Does TV Kill?
After reading this article, I assume I'm a "goner" indeed after the college bowl games this past week, the upcoming BCS, NFL playoffs, and Super Bowl.
Lucky for me and my internist that the NHL is still on strike.
Apr '12
Re: Does TV Kill?
Years ago I realized that reading the NY Times every day was harmful to my health so I gave up my subscription and I'm still living!
Re: Does TV Kill?
Nathan, you may be the last man in America who takes the Times that seriously.
But I'm happy for you--or, rather, for us. Just think of all the additional time you'll have to post on Ricochet.
Oct '10
Re: Does TV Kill?
Clearly you have a computer which (if you so choose) now serves the same purpose as a TV, so I'd say the effect on lifespan is negligible if you're sitting around streaming Partridge Family reruns. Also, I'd give up quite a few minutes of my life for an hour of TV if it meant receiving updates on a natural disaster headed in my direction.
Mar '11
Re: Does TV Kill?
Depends really... If the last 22 minutes of my life are to be spent under the crushing weight of Dave Carter's rear wheels then I wouldn't mind watching an episode of The Rockford Files.
May '12
Re: Does TV Kill?
I don't know about the statistics, but I made a resolution in 2005 to give up TV for a month. At the end of the 3rd week I threw it away and haven't owned one since.
I couldn't turn one on or find a channel on a bet.
One of the five (5) best things I've done in my life.
Dec '12
Re: Does TV Kill?
My 97 year old Grandmother watched golf and Fox News religiously. And if she had not had something to entertain her for her 90's I am not sure she would have made it that far...
Apr '12
Re: Does TV Kill?
Tv is a time-waster that kills braincells. Ricochet at least builds brain cells. I stopped watching TV when I moved to Michigan in 1990. Haven't missed much. I watch some things, like Presidential debates, via computer now. I may hang out on the MLB or NFL site to watch the site's coverage of the World Series and Super Bowl, but not watch the actual games.
I'm with Steve Lee on what to do with TVs.
Apr '11
Re: Does TV Kill?
Does that article say anything about the health effects from the stress of planning your life around such silly statistics?
How is it determined that "watching TV" equates to that loss of minutes? I presume its basis is that you're sitting for an hour. If so, would you lose 21.8 minutes if you were sitting and reading a book or talking to your uncle for an hour?
Also, if sitting too long kills you because you're immobile, what about lying in bed for 8 hours, or taking a nap? Or does the position matter? What if you're sitting in a gravity chair, or holding a yoga position?
Apr '12
Re: Does TV Kill?
Oh, and John Prine, of course.
Dec '12
Re: Does TV Kill?
We watch one regular TV program every week, the Wall Street Journal Editorial Board, and that's all. I'd never give that up, BUT it can be downloaded as a video podcast, with no commercials. We use our cable subscription for on-demand movies. I don't care how many minutes I "sacrifice"
Jun '10
Re: Does TV Kill?
Every breath you take is one less breath you will have. Should you stop breathing? Oh and did you say you read this in the NY Times? You better hustle over to your nearest pub and catch some football. You might miss a great game.
Jul '12
Re: Does TV Kill?
Sounds like utter nonsense to me. What mechanism are we to believe is responsible for this drop in life expectancy? Evil brain-killing TV rays?
If there's a correlation, it's probably between physical inactivity and mortality. Can television encourage a sedentary lifestyle, for people who are so inclined? Maybe, but that doesn't mean TV kills. A statistical figure like that is descriptive of large populations; it doesn't mean that your TV is draining life force from your body second by second like a vampire.
I have little patience for people who dismiss all television as mindless, or who gloat about their TV-free lifestyle. If you don't like TV, that's fine. But make no mistake: there is a great deal of excellent creative work being done on television. It might be a small percentage of the total, but it's more than I have time to watch, given the other things I also enjoy.
May '10
Re: Does TV Kill?
TV is slowly killing me. But at the same time it's feeding my kids. It's a tradeoff.
May '10
Re: Does TV Kill?
Stopping something unproductive and unhealthy isn't significant unless you replace that activity with something productive. I once sold my Xbox to become more productive. I found another way to waste time. The Xbox wasn't the problem.
Good luck. Also...
Leisure is part of a healthy lifestyle. In the Creation story, God rested on the seventh day. Why? He certainly didn't require rest. He "rested" because a work is not finished until it is used and appreciated. Take some time to share what you and others have been blessed to bring into the world.
As for longevity, forget the odds. It's a miracle any of us make it to 40. And I have yet to meet a health nut over 70. My grandma will turn 95 this month — no exercise, but plenty of coffee and bacon.
Jul '12
Re: Does TV Kill?
Sold my TV (house, car and motorcycle) in 1992 so I could sail half way around the world. Amazing how few people I find who aren't tethered to a tube. I save my minutes for painting and reading. I guess my grandkids can always fill me in on Boo Boo Honey and 60 Minutes, if I ever feel left out.
May '11
Re: Does TV Kill?
That may have been a bit rash. :) But I wouldn't mourn it. We have a television that I use to watch Baseball (on my playstation) and play the occasional video game. Movies incredibly rarely, and I have not watched a minute of cable television in years (we cancelled it long ago). But you are very likely right to suggest that TV is correlation, rather than causation.
I share the first reaction of a few other commenters: what on earth were you doing reading the NYtimes? I'm pretty sure that is proven to kill brain cells just as much as any television you could watch.
Edited on January 3, 2013 at 5:57am