How Television Affects Your Brain Chemistry -- And That's Not All!

re: How Television Affects Your Brain Chemistry -- And That's Not All!

belindakk — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:24:19 GMT

Thank you for this article, I am doing a paper on the affects technology has on a persons health.

re: How Television Affects Your Brain Chemistry -- And That's Not All!

Geeklady — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:02:03 GMT

When I was a child, our area had 2 TV channels, and PBS - but it was fuzzy. In the 70's UHF finally reached us and cable was already available but I didn't subscribe to cable until the last decade, when we needed high speed connectivity and opted for a package deal. So we had 100 channels and there still wasn't anything worth watching. Then there was a "special" on HDTV with more channels so I decided to try that. We watch maybe 2 hours a day. My husband likes Kudlow and I like to vegetate after work with a "comedy" or one of the crime story programs, like NCIS. I like some of the sci-fi programs. I like the BBC comedies. I like the old movies. I do think there is some valid information aired over the waves, but most of the news is geared towards sensationalism. I was told a long time ago, if you want to find out what is really going on, read the newspaper. Unfortunately, many papers are going under because of the digital media.

I detest the so-called reality shows, the inane sitcom laugh tracks, and most of alll the commercials. The volume always increases on the commercials (even without Billy Mays hawking stuff) and sets my teeth on edge. It is better when we record, so we can play back and skip the commercials. As much as I mock the ads, I think you're right: they do get through subliminally. After several restaurant ads, my head is in the refrigerator.

re: How Television Affects Your Brain Chemistry -- And That's Not All!

Geeklady — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:34:34 GMT

As with many things, moderation is the key, right?

re: How Television Affects Your Brain Chemistry -- And That's Not All!

FrankMartinDiMeglio — Sat, 16 May 2009 02:34:06 GMT

TV is an unnatural extension of dream vision AS waking vision, and it is an hallucination. TV causes emotional detachment, disintegration, contraction, and loss. Autism involves a disintegration and contraction of being and experience (including consciousness). This is what TV does and is. I have proven (in detail and with specifics) that television is an extended form of the dream (in sight and sound). Television is an unnatural creation of generalized thought. See: Television is an Hallucination

radicalacademy.com/studentrefphilfmd11.htm

I have been on the radio three times recently talking about this.

The overeating during TV is because of this experience of the dream while waking. Bodily feeling/sensation is reduced during TV (as is the case of the dream), so the feeling of fullness is reduced/lacking. Dr. Joyce Starr agrees with this as well.

Frank Martin DiMeglio (author)

My recently published article (above) is also listed first at the website called Arguments Against TV.

Legislative advocacy is needed NOW.

The article does an excellent job of explaining what TV is.

Google hallucinations, and see what they are associated with. Autism is known to involve sensory processing disorders. TV is making us increasingly (and progressively) unconscious and reactive in unpredictable ways.

I have taken the argument against TV to an entirely new level.

re: How Television Affects Your Brain Chemistry -- And That's Not All!

Hmmmmm — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:26:23 GMT

“A picture is worth a thousand words”; that said, you can see that I am totally for TV not only for entertainment but also for education. Those who have added up the price of both through other means, know that it is also one of the biggest bargains out there, especially the deluxe cable services. It is a huge time saver in my schedule, and a great way to cool down after a 12 hour work day.

My suspicion is that learning visually does not appeal so much to many of you who oppose this media. Those of us who are right brain dominant know what a wealth of information this media provides. I would never study advanced science, history, or literature if it were not for the superior presentations currently offered on the History, Science, National Geographic, Fine Living and PBS channels. Regardless of how available or free books are on these subjects, I simply would not find this a fun way to spend a few hours after a 12 hour day. I often watch these subjects presented in full color on TV along with full representation of a visit to the world the event occurred in, including the latest in digital graphics. I would never have the opportunity to see the major classical, jazz, and rock performers, the many theater productions, or even the Olympic games, if it were not for television. Go ahead and advertise, I can take it.

re: How Television Affects Your Brain Chemistry -- And That's Not All!

cgiaco — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 05:47:53 GMT

I find TV like having a stranger, sitting unfront on my bed, and talking like a parrot, the same garbage over and over again.

re: How Television Affects Your Brain Chemistry -- And That's Not All!

Halobeans — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 15:26:20 GMT

Ok,here is one of TV brainwashing effects.....Why if you take tons of vitamins and try to be healthy you are considered a "health freak",but if you take tons of meds you are considered "ILL" :) ~me (think about that one)

re: How Television Affects Your Brain Chemistry -- And That's Not All!

JWCnMBC — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 10:15:31 GMT

Actually, Teresa Tomeo has written a book entitled, "Noise" that lends a perspective that goes much deeper than just the threat or impact from advertising. Parents especially may want to check out the reviews on Amazon....

www.amazon.com/.../102-5954802-1122517

re: How Television Affects Your Brain Chemistry -- And That's Not All!

EmperorHo — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:07:21 GMT

You are right about the Commercials, with my hard drive Sat system I've found most 1 hour shows to have just over 15 minutes of commercials, on average that one hour show has only 41 to 45 minutes of the show, of course if you take out the repeating parts, the intro and credits, which can be another 5 to almost 10 minutes the real content is not nearly as much of the total as one would think.

re: How Television Affects Your Brain Chemistry -- And That's Not All!

EmperorHo — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:01:21 GMT

Doc, too bad for you if you never watched TV more than 1 hr at a time, that means you have NEVER watched a movie. Personally I like movies, I also am an avid reader but sometimes a movie is just as good as a or even better than book, granted few books make it to the screen 100% intact. Then there is the history Channel, Discovery, National Geographic, and far much more in the educational arena. I have satellite TV and also get the channels from several top universities, I could take a full college course and get the degree right in my living room, or the room of my choice, couple that with the computer for live interactive classrooms and it offers me opportunities I could otherwise never have.

For myself I often get far more information, that sticks with me watching a documentary on the history or science channels than reading a dry dusty volume that takes days.

As has been said a picture is worth a thousand words and for something you can write all the words you want but to see it goes beyond what words can convey. And it lets me see and hear things all over the world and far beyond these days.

And then there are the dozen of more news channels, and the government channels that let me go right into the Legislature of all the States and the US Congress

Plus my Sat system lets me record everything onto the hard drive so I can skip all the commercials.

With my system I have been on the top of the worlds highest peaks, and to the depths of the worlds great oceans, to the planets and the stars beyond. All for far less than the price of gas to go into town once a month.

And if I don't want to watch anything I have a few hundred music channels to listen to almost any type or style of music at the touch of a button. My total menu ranges from Channel 4 to channel 9900, I don't have access to all of those since many are from foreign countries, it is interesting to watch some of them on free days. You are missing so much of the world, both old and new.

re: How Television Affects Your Brain Chemistry -- And That's Not All!

Shanny — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:04:54 GMT

I think the key, at least for my family, is that too much of a good thing can be bad. I want to train my kids, yes train, to live with moderation in everything. This includes food and entertainment! My 9 and 7 year old are of the very few to love Cary Grant, Esther Williams, Myrna Loy, Red Skelton, Doris Day, etc because of the great family times we have watching our collection of good old movies. They are not accustomed to the nonsense of todays programming. Since they don't watch much during the week (less than 2 hours, mostly for home education purposes), they look forward to our family movie day on Saturday.

re: How Television Affects Your Brain Chemistry -- And That's Not All!

Netspectre101 — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 13:10:42 GMT

My friend just bought one of those flat screen tv's. It cost him like $5000.00. It has a nice picture. He also has a really expensive phone. He can watch movies on it. I love the dichotomy of it all. He is proud that he has a really big screen tv AND he is Really Proud that he has a little tiny tv.

What a masterful sell job.

Masterful.....

re: How Television Affects Your Brain Chemistry -- And That's Not All!

Rodmilla — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 19:08:11 GMT

bilo-I too enjoy massive multiplayer games online. While I do not think the particular game I play is nearly as wasteful as TV, I was concerned about the sitting for long periods. So, I managed to hook up a DDR (dance pad) to my computer after watching my kids jump around on one hooked up to the Xbox. Now, in order for my character to defeat the legendary dragons and win gold, I have to mimick her movements by jumping around on the dance pad. Its a great work out and my playing skills have increased.

As for the TV.... we have Tivo. I rarely watch TV and when the rest of my family does watch it, they use Tivo and skip through most everything, especially ads.

Before we go bashing parents about their kid's TV useage, please remember that "outside" for many of our cities/towns has become extremely dangerous for our kids. It is terribly unfortunate that kids have to stay inside for safety.

re: How Television Affects Your Brain Chemistry -- And That's Not All!

Dan T. — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 14:51:34 GMT

Well, I'll give my research then. Just over a year ago, we got rid of the TV. Now my 4-year old is reading at about a 2nd grade level. When we had the dummy box, she was learning that she had to be entertained. Now she's learned to play alone creatively, and she helps mom take care of her little brother.

But just like with immunization, we could look to the Amish, who haven't had TVs, and see what hard-working decent people they generally are.

Psa 101:3 I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.

re: How Television Affects Your Brain Chemistry -- And That's Not All!

CaptainKirk — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 13:39:54 GMT

Wow, everyone has a comment. Considered not adding mine to all the confusion.

We bought a summer home in TN, and I refused to turn on the Cable/Satellite. We rented some movies, but we ENJOYED a lot more time together. Instead of having 3 TVs going and 3 people watching 3 different shows... We played games, went outside, rode bikes together.

The only downside, and I experience it a lot, because I do not watch TV when I travel because I

have better things to do... Is that when friends and relatives talk to us, we have no clue about what

is going on. We did not know the bridge collapsed this summer. No idea what is going on with the

"war" (and who does!).

No idea if a hurricane was heading for our home in FL. (We closed the shutters before we left).

It is a surreal feeling...

But during this time, our 8 yr old doubled and almost tripled her reading speed. She can now polish

off (and does) a book a day for school. She has 3 times the required reading points for her class.

How? She watches SO MUCH LESS TV.

But Cranky is right too. I listen to the Avril Levine(?) songs my daughter sings and I want to SCREAM.

The things she wants from the TV ads are horrendous. But here is a useful trick. We let her pick one,

then had her spend HER money on it. (One of these expensive Barbie Hair/Beauty styling heads).

She played with it once. HATED Cleaning up afterwards. We coerced her to play with it a couple

more times. And now we remind her how much fun it LOOKED LIKE on TV and how much funt it

really WAS... (This is like the 3rd thing).

It is AMAZING to watch an 8 year old being critical of a TV ad... She knows that they NEVER deliver

what they promise or show.

We can and should EDUCATE, and not just PROTECT our children. I saw way too many kids in college flunking out BECAUSE their parents were not there to PROTECT them from the choices they were making!

I think this video HELPS to that end.