by
R Swaminathan
Jean-Jacques
Rousseau, who immensely influenced political, sociological and
educational thought centuries ago and is still remembered for his
great saying, "Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains"
might be tempted to revise his statement as " Man is born free
but everywhere he is hooked to the idiot box." The TV mania has
become such a great and universal affliction that it is time for the
medical fraternity to find an easy way to wean people away from it.
TV
has grown manifold in recent years with all latest features of
interactive viewing all thanks to technological advances. In the
beginning the transmission channel was only one and was on the air
for a few hours in the evening. Now they are available 24X7 in
several languages. It mesmerises people of all ages and convictions,
achievements and avocations and corporate giants and almost every
manufacturer or promoter of goods, services and activity is sure
that the purchasing decision is made before the set and works on
subtle ways of influencing the human mind.
Some
in every home sit before the set right from the morning till midnight
and even beyond that if they find the programme/s interesting,
seeking to gratiate themselves through information or
entertainment. Priorities of living are readjusted to keep eyes and
ears glued to the TV shows. Early in the morning, channels have found
that what interests many are religious topics and astrological
predictions. Astrologers of all affiliations and calibre carefully
predict what will happen for the viewer through the day, and those
who get a warning sit through the following programmes on places of
worship so that their nerves are soothened.
Later
in the day, the housewives and senior citizens sit for melodious
music , culinary coaching or serials that try to portray the reality
in that house or neigbbourhood. Familiarity with the characters and
sequences keep them bound to their chairs. They don't mind if their
lunch is skipped or is bare and frugal. Reality shows and game shows
have become immensely popular with housewives as well as growing
children who are goaded to do something similar to the participants.
"Strive hard, work better, you can do it," they are
exhorted.
The reality shows make viewers sit at
the edge of their seats as they appear to know answers for most of
the questions people are struggling in the show to answer what with
lifelines. There are occasions when they learn many things simple but
wholly new to them. They share their conquests with their spouses
returning late at night. When young kids perform like the
professionals for winning huge prizes., the parents marvel at their
feats and preach the lessons to those who happen to be their pupils.
Sports events like IPL or world cup
matches are a big draw and are watched from start to finish. Two
matches a day is not a big thing as seen recently.
Of course, the bread winner must be
cursing himself after he came to see the electricity bill. This
analysis will be incomplete if we don't mention the programmes by
doctors of alternative systems of medicine answering people's
phone-in questions and debates, and discussions on current topics or
recent crimes. Who will find a cure for TV addicts? Are they are not
contracting physical ailments and stunted mental growth due to this
fixation? Or is this problem not a serious one as yet?
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